Georgia Football: Andrew Thomas will prove Giants made right selection

Georgia football tackle Andrew Thomas was the perfect pick by the New York Giants despite saying other linemen should’ve been selected before.

With the fourth overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, the New York Giants made Georgia‘s Andrew Thomas the first offensive lineman to come off the board.

Thomas spent three seasons with the Bulldogs in which he helped the program win three SEC East titles and helped guide them to a trip to the 2018 National Championship Game.

He was named a Freshman All-American in 2017, first-team All-SEC in 2018 and 2019, was a unanimous All-American in 2019 and took home the 2019 Jacobs Blocking Trophy given to college football’s best blocker.

Despite all of these accomplishments, many argued the Giants drafted the wrong offensive lineman. Many argued for Iowa’s Tristan Wirfs, who ran a 4.85 40-yard dash, or Alabama’s Jedrick Wills Jr. should have been the first lineman off the board.

While arguments can be made, the Giants made the right call. New York’s offensive line has been among the worst NFL the past seven seasons. Part of that reason has been a lack of stability.

In his three seasons at Georgia, Thomas never missed a start except for sitting out of the 2020 Sugar Bowl to prepare for the NFL draft.

Not only did Thomas play each regular season game during his starting streak, but he also played in two SEC championships, the 2018 Rose Bowl and the 2019 Sugar Bowl all at an elite level.

While Wirfs, Wills and even Louisville’s Mekhi Becton were considered more athletic offensive lineman, Thomas was the most consistent of the four and by starting each game in the SEC proved to be the most battle-tested.

The New York Giants finally got it right and Thomas will prove that by staying in the lineup and protecting Daniel Jones and creating holes that Saquon Barkley has yet to see during the first two years of his pro career.