The New York Giants went with what is viewed as a safe pick in the first round in the NFL Draft by selecting Andrew Thomas from Georgia, but that doesn’t mean they haven’t gotten a worthy prospect out of it. Thomas is expected to be the main pass protector for quarterback Daniel Jones this season, and because of the high spot that the Giants took him at, is expected to come in as an immediate starter over Nate Solder.
Additionally, one person with experience with both Thomas and Jones believes that the pairing of the two players may be a better one than some are predicting. Duke running back Deon Jackson played with Thomas in high school and Jones in college, and had positive things to say about the players and their chances of getting on well together.
“I think they’ll be two people that really get along well together. I actually told Daniel this yesterday, because he called me and asked me how Andrew is. I think they have matching personalities. They’re pretty laid back, both of them. I feel like they’ll connect on the field and off the field,” Jackson told the New York Daily News.
He said that both players have good senses and that fans can expect Thomas to pick up the blitz rather than missing it, something the Giants have sorely needed. “And Andrew, he always knows what looks you’re gonna throw at him, what blitz is coming. He always sees everything before it happens. That’s why he rarely gets beat. So I feel like those two being in the huddle together, they are two smart individuals who are gonna read a lot of defenses and make a lot of plays together.”
It remains to be seen when fans will first get to see Jones and Thomas in uniform together, with the ongoing coronavirus pandemic disrupting the offseason, but fans can likely rest assured that the Giants will have an immediate impact player when the duo does link up for the first time.