2020 NFL Scouting Combine

New York Giants NFL Draft Profile: Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia

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New York Giants, Andrew Thomas

The New York Giants are picking fourth overall in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft. This is their third straight season picking inside the top-ten. It is a crucial draft that general manager Dave Gettleman needs to get right in order to keep his job.

The Giants have many positions of need, but arguably their weakest position is offensive tackle. Luckily for New York, the 2020 NFL Draft class is rich in offensive line talent, especially in the first round. One of the top offensive tackle prospects in this year’s class is Andrew Thomas, a refined prospect out of Georgia.

This article is the third installment of a new article series here on Empire Sports Media. This new series, the NFL Draft Profile series, will feature breakdowns of notable draft prospects to create a profile that summarizes and highlights the prospects’ top strengths and weaknesses. You can check out the first installment, the Isaiah Simmons NFL Draft Profile, here. The second installment, the Mekhi Becton NFL Draft profile, can be found here.

Granted, I am not an expert draft analyst. However, in this article, I will be breaking down Andrew Thomas as a prospect after watching hours of his film and using credible draft analysis from various sites such as NFL.com, Pro Football Focus, and The Draft Network intertwined with my own analysis. I will use the expert analysis to cross-check and cross-reference. I will use it to confirm or deny what I have seen on film. A YouTube video will also accompany this article on our channel, Fireside Giants. Unlike the last two draft profiles, I did not make this video. Instead, our chief engineer behind the Fireside Giants YouTube channel, Mike Iarrapino, made our Andrew Thomas Scouting Profile video.

Top Strengths:

Polished Technique:

Unlike Mekhi Becton, Andrew Thomas’s technique is not his biggest weakness- it is his biggest strength. Thomas is a polished offensive line prospect with a refined technique that allows him to excel as both a run-blocker and a pass-blocker.

Georgia’s 2019 matchup versus LSU is an excellent game to watch when evaluating Andrew Thomas. Thomas starting at left tackle, was tasked with defending LSU’s first-round EDGE prospect K’Lavon Chaisson. Chaisson has game-breaking speed for his position and is a handful for any offensive tackle that he is matched up against. But Andrew Thomas rose to the challenge and put together an impressive performance shutting down Chaisson despite a lopsided loss to the LSU Tigers.

In this Tweet, below are some of the best clips from Andrew Thomas’s matchup against K’Lavon Chaisson. Note the incredible lateral quickness that Thomas possesses as he efficiently beats Chaisson to the spot each rep and easily redirects Chaisson to the turf while remaining balanced and technical:

Andrew Thomas has excellent balance. He has very active feet that give him the ability to be a secure pass-protector. Seeing Thomas handle a speedy pro-level edge rusher like Chaisson bodes well for his NFL future. But he is not perfect in this regard and does have some technical difficulties against speed rushers that sometimes get him into trouble.

Andrew’s advanced technique also shows up in his run-blocking performance. The Georgia tackle is known for being a proficient run-blocker, and his technique and high football IQ are a big reason why.

Run Blocking:

Andrew Thomas is an excellent run-blocking offensive tackle. He demonstrated time and time again that he has no problem moving defenders to open up holes for Georgia’s talented running backs. Thomas’s run-blocking talents were on full display in Georgia’s 2019 matchups against Notre Dame and Texas.

In the Tweet below are some of my favorite highlights of Andrew Thomas run-blocking. Thomas throws multiple key blocks in single plays. He has high football IQ and great spatial awareness, which allows him to do this.

Andrew Thomas does a great job with cut-off blocks. He seals off defenders away from the running lanes and gives them no chance to get in front of the running back.

Top Weaknesses:

Pass Protection Against Speed Rushers:

I previously presented some highlights from Andrew Thomas’s matchup with LSU speed rusher K’Lavon Chaisson. That was one of Thomas’s most impressive games as he handled the difficult matchup exceptionally well. Still, not every play from that game was a win for Thomas, and some flaws in Andrew’s game did show up against Chaisson (and other speed rushers in other games).

Andrew Thomas’s technique against speedy edge rushers can be inconsistent. His footwork against speed guys sometimes gets him into trouble as his lateral agility can be stunted by lousy technique and footwork. Speed rushers have opportunities to beat Thomas around the edge with pure burst and bend.

The footwork against speed rushers is Andrew Thomas’s main issue. Often his initial kick step does not place him back far enough, and when he tries to shuffle to the right spot, it is already too late. That first step is vital for offensive tackles, and when facing an edge rusher with an abundance of burst, that first step needs to be perfect.

Some issues arise with Andrew’s hands when defending speed rushers. Whether he is late to initiate contact or has his elbows too wide, this is somewhere that Andrew Thomas needs to be more consistent.

He can struggle to keep pace up the arc with speed off the edge so cleaning up his pass sets is necessary. -Joe Marino of The Draft Network

Recap:

Andrew Thomas is a refined offensive tackle prospect. His technique is polished. Thomas also possesses more than enough strength and athleticism to get the job done in the NFL.

Thomas’s strength is as a run-blocker, where he has excellent spatial awareness and high football IQ that allows him to make multiple key blocks in a single play. He does have some occasional whiffs, as all lineman do, but he is a remarkably consistent run-blocker that uses his refined technique to open up holes and drive defensive linemen backward.

Andrew Thomas does struggle at times when matching up against speedy edge rushers and will need to work on this in the NFL. Thomas will need to improve his footwork and lateral quickness/agility against speed rushers off the edge. His hand placement and initial contact can use some improvement, too. His hands are too wide sometimes and cause him to miss the defender. He also has some reps where he waits too long to initiate contact, and, when he does, there is sometimes not enough power behind the punch.

The New York Giants have many different options they can select at the fourth overall pick. If the Giants go offensive tackle in the first round, they need to give serious consideration to Andrew Thomas. Thomas’s proficient run-blocking will help Saquon Barkley flourish in Jason Garrett’s offense that, in Dallas, featured an elite left tackle in Tyron Smith for years.

Drafting Andrew Thomas would not only make Saquon Barkley better, but it would help Daniel Jones develop, too. Jones needs stability at the left tackle position, and while there might be some growing pains for Thomas early on in his career (especially when dealing with speed rushers), he has exhibited the potential to be a premier offensive tackle with a polished technique to succeed as a pass-blocker. This is not me saying that Andrew Thomas should definitely be the pick (I am still leaning towards Isaiah Simmons), but Andrew Thomas to the Giants is a draft pick I would not hate- especially if they land him in a trade-back scenario.

New York Giants: Derrick Brown Might Be A Top Target For Dave Gettleman

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New York Giants, Derrick Brown

The New York Giants have limitless options heading into the 2020 NFL offseason. They have over $70 million to spend in free agency and the fourth overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. With the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine taking place this week, rumors are starting to heat up around the NFL.

A few new rumors surround the New York Giants, too. According to Matt Lombardo of nj.com, Dave Gettleman is “very serious” about trading back in the 2020 NFL Draft. Also according to Lombardo, the Giants’ draft target, if they trade back, will be Auburn defensive lineman Derrick Brown.

Will The Giants Trade Back?

Trading down might be a reliable option for the Giants, but is it a real possibility? General manager Dave Gettleman has never traded down in a draft before. He recently received heavy criticism for this by NBC Sports’ Peter King in his latest “Football Morning in America” column:

A GM who has made 45 picks has never traded down to accumulate more picks from any of the 45. That is borderline negligent. Maybe not even borderline. I am incredulous about that. As I documented last week, GM John Schneider of the Seahawks used last year’s 21st overall pick and traded down six times to accumulate six picks, one of whom was wide receiver DK Metcalf, who, as it turned out, produced better value than a 21st pick in most drafts as a rookie. And four other players from the trade played for the Seahawks last season. Trying to not make too much of that, but wow. Just wow. – Peter King, NBC Sports

Dave Gettleman fielded questions from the media on Tuesday at the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine. He was asked about the potential of trading down from fourth overall in the 2020 NFL Draft. Dave Gettleman responded, saying, “We’re open for business.” Matt Lombardo’s report seems to back up Gettleman’s statement.

The Argument Against Derrick Brown

Matt Lombardo’s report regarding the Giants’ consideration of trading down came as no surprise. The shocking part of the report is the Giants’ apparent interest in targeting Auburn defensive lineman Derrick Brown.

The Giants have already invested quite a bit into their defensive line. They spent a first-round pick on Dexter Lawrence II in the 2019 NFL draft and traded their 2020 third-round pick for Leonard Williams ahead of the trade deadline. These two moves combined with the talents of Dalvin Tomlinson and BJ Hill make it confusing as to why the Giants would be targeting yet another first-round interior defensive lineman.

Derrick Brown Stats and Highlights

Derrick Brown might be an interior defensive lineman, but he is not your everyday IDL. Brown is a monster. He is one of the top prospects in the 2020 NFL Draft class.

If Leonard Williams walks in free agency, drafting Derrick Brown makes more sense. But even if Williams stays, Brown would make the Giants’ defensive line a dominant unit.

In his 2019 senior campaign, Derrick Brown was unblockable, recording 54 total tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, and 4 sacks. This was after putting up 48 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, and 4.5 sacks as a junior.

That’s two straight seasons of consistent, elite performance from Derrick Brown. Brown is a phenomenal run-stuffer and a decent pass-rusher. Combining his talents with that of Dexter Lawrence would create maybe the best young defensive line in the NFL.

But is it wise for Dave Gettleman to spend another first-round pick on an interior defensive lineman? Eventually he will need to start investing in other positions of need. And, after this year’s NFL Scouting Combine, it might be hard for the Giants to say no to an elite talent like Isaiah Simmons if he is on the board at fourth overall.

New York Giants: Will 2020 Be The Year That Dave Gettleman Finally Trades Down?

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New York Giants, Dave Gettleman

The NFL Scouting Combine kicks off this week with the 2020 NFL Draft just around the corner. This will be another crucial draft for the New York Giants as they are once again picking inside of the top-ten. This year, New York holds the fourth overall pick and is in prime position to trade down to a quarterback-needy team to accumulate a king’s ransom of draft capital.

Trading down might be a reliable option for the Giants, but is it a real possibility? General manager Dave Gettleman has never traded down in a draft before. He recently received heavy criticism for this by NBC Sports’ Peter King in his latest “Football Morning in America” column:

A GM who has made 45 picks has never traded down to accumulate more picks from any of the 45. That is borderline negligent. Maybe not even borderline. I am incredulous about that. As I documented last week, GM John Schneider of the Seahawks used last year’s 21st overall pick and traded down six times to accumulate six picks, one of whom was wide receiver DK Metcalf, who, as it turned out, produced better value than a 21st pick in most drafts as a rookie. And four other players from the trade played for the Seahawks last season. Trying to not make too much of that, but wow. Just wow. – Peter King, NBC Sports

Peter King makes some fair points. Trading down is a proven strategy that reaps significant benefits. The 2018 Indianapolis Colts can attest to that. Many Giants fans are pounding the table, begging Dave Gettleman to finally trade down in 2020. For those fans, there is reason to believe that he just might do it this year.

The Giants are “Open for business.”

With the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine kicking off this week, Dave Gettleman fielded questions from the media on Tuesday. He was, of course, asked about the potential of trading down from fourth overall in the 2020 NFL Draft. Dave Gettleman responded, saying, “We’re open for business.”

This was Dave Gettleman admitting that he is open to trading down in 2020 and that it is a real possibility this year. He also said, “Whatever we do is gonna be in our best interest.” Gettleman also conceded that the likelihood of a trade down is higher this time around, according to Paul Schwartz of the New York Post. 

New head coach Joe Judge is also open to the possibility of trading down in this year’s draft:

“Whatever the scenario that comes to be that’s best for the Giants, if that’s trading back, we’re open to listen,” Judge said. “We don’t have to do anything, but we’ll listen to anything.” – Joe Judge, via Paul Schwartz of the New York Post

Despite making it clear that the Giants are open to trading down, Gettleman also cautioned that there is risk involved with such an action:

“Trading back has its danger,” Gettleman warned. “We’re at four. Let’s say you trade back to eight. There’s only four players we like, what if they’re all gone? Now what are you gonna do? Are you gonna trade back again? You can trade yourself back out of good players but, we’re open.” – Dave Gettleman, via Paul Schwartz of the New York Post

So the Giants are “open for business.”

Well, kind of. Dave Gettleman still seems to be pretty skeptical of the whole trade-down concept. It looks like the franchise is open to it under specific circumstances.

However, I wouldn’t bet on a trade down from fourth overall at this point. Regardless, it is an incredibly strong draft class this year. The Giants will be landing an elite prospect at fourth overall if they decide to stay put. But maybe they will land an elite prospect, and a few extra draft picks after trading back. Time will only tell.

New York Giants: Top Prospects To Watch At The 2020 NFL Scouting Combine

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The 2020 NFL Draft is right around the corner. The Draft will begin on April 23 this year. In preparation for the NFL Draft, the NFL Scouting Combine will begin this week.

The Combine is a crucial part of the draft process. Teams finally have the chance to meet and interview this year’s prospects. The New York Giants are picking fourth overall in this year’s draft and will have their pick at some of the top prospects in the class. With the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine about to kick off, let’s take a look at three of the top prospects to keep an eye on for the Giants in 2020.

Isaiah Simmons

One of the draft’s most hyped prospects is Clemson’s do-it-all linebacker, Isaiah Simmons. Simmons played nearly every position on Clemson’s defense and is an exceptional athlete. 

Dane Brugler of The Athletic said, “They might rename the combine after Isaiah Simmons after he is done with it.” According to Albert Breer of MMQB, one college scouting director forecast to Breer that Clemson LB Isaiah Simmons will run in the low 4.4s, and his “jumps are gonna be nuts.”

Isaiah Simmons is going to test extremely well in the Combine drills this week. He has the speed, size, and athleticism to drop jaws. Simmons has been linked to the Giants on many occasions, so expect them to keep an eye on the draft’s top linebacker.

Tristan Wirfs

According to Ralph Vacchiano of SNY, the New York Giants are “in love” with Iowa offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs. Wirfs is already expected to be one of the Giants’ top targets in the 2020 NFL Draft. But with a strong performance at the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, Tristan could make himself a must-draft target for the Giants who have a severe need at offensive tackle.

Tristan Wirfs is expected to dominate the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine. He is a mammoth of a human being, standing at 6 feet 5 inches and weighing 322 pounds. Despite this, Tristan can move at a somewhat rapid pace. He is expected to run a sub-4.9s 40-yard dash. He would be only the fifth offensive tackle ever to accomplish this feat and the only offensive tackle to run a sub 4.9s while weighing 322 pounds.

Tristan Wirfs has been described as a “300-pound man that moves like a dancer.” But he also moves weights like ragdolls. Tristan broke Iowa’s hang clean record with four reps of 450 pounds last year. Wirfs is sure to impress during the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine and could make his way surging up teams’ draft boards.

Mekhi Becton

The Giants are in the market for an offensive tackle. Tristan Wirfs is undoubtedly one of the top options for the Giants in the 2020 NFL Draft, but there are others. Another offensive tackle to keep an eye on at the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine is Mekhi Becton.

Mekhi Becton is a massive human being. He is maybe the definition of the term “hog molly” that general manager Dave Gettleman is known to use. The Lousiville offensive tackle towers over the competition at 6 feet 7 inches. He also weighs in at a humungous 369 pounds.

Becton’s size is rare. But, what makes him so unique is the athletic ability he has combined with his otherworldly stature. Lance Zierlein of NFL.com described Becton as an offensive tackle with an “enormous frame complemented by surprisingly nimble feet and functional athleticism to handle either tackle spot.” The Giants could draft Mekhi Becton to play left tackle or right tackle depending on how much they do or do not trust Nate Solder.

The Giants will be able to find a franchise building block in the 2020 NFL Draft. But that all starts with the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine. This is a crucial step in the draft process, and these three players will need to live up to expectations and impress New York if they want to get selected fourth overall.