New York Giants left tackle Andrew Thomas has established himself as one of the premier players in the NFL at his position. In a recent ESPN ranking of the top offensive tackles in the NFL, a group of anonymous NFL executives, coaches, and scouts gave Thomas a glowing review.
Andrew Thomas ranked the No. 8 OT in the NFL by NFL executives, coaches, and scouts
ESPN and their Senior NFL Insider Jeremy Fowler recently surveyed league executives, coaches, and scouts to rank the top 10 players at 11 different positions. In the recent ranking of the league’s top offensive tackles, Thomas came in at No. 8 on the list:
“A hamstring issue cost Thomas seven games in 2023, thus stunting his growth on this list,” Fowler wrote. “But he got several top-three votes due to his major ability. Thomas signed a five-year, $117.5 million extension just after our list was published last season.”
The Giants’ blindside protector moved down the list this year. Last offseason, he ranked No. 7 in the same rankings. Considering the injury-riddled season he endured in 2023, a drop-off of only one spot is not one to complain much about.
From the executives, coaches, and scouts who ranked Thomas, his highest ranking this summer was first place. But his lowest was unranked, meaning there are some within the league who do not view him as a top-10 player at his position.
One anonymous AFC executive gave Thomas a glowing review, however, saying Thomas has “enough upside to be the top guy:”
“Trent Williams has been the standard, but I think Thomas, if he puts together a stronger body of work, has enough upside to be the top guy,” the AFC executive said per ESPN.
If Thomas stays healthy this season and returns to the form he demonstrated in the 2022 season, he absolutely could be viewed as one of the top, if not the top offensive tackles in the NFL.
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The Giants will rely on Thomas to stay healthy and remain elite in 2024
For as great of a player as Thomas has developed into, he has had his fair share of injuries battling to keep him from reaching his potential in his career. Thomas played through an ankle injury during his rookie season that severely hampered his performance on the field. In year two, he blossomed into a great player but was still bothered by the ankle.
In the 2022 offseason, following a career year, Thomas underwent ankle surgery that he hoped would remedy the issue that had plugged him through the first two seasons of his career. His ankle didn’t seem to bother him last season, but the injury bug bit him once again when he pulled his hamstring in Week 1.
In 2024, the focus will be on staying healthy. Thomas’s absence from the lineup last season highlighted his importance to the team. The Giants surrendered a league-high 85 sacks last season as Thomas missed seven weeks due to his hamstring injury. Having a healthy Thomas on the field will transform the Giants’ offense in 2024, hopefully giving Daniel Jones his opportunity to make the coveted year-six leap.
