Offensive tackle has been an area of concern for the Broncos since Ryan Clady’s departure after the 2015 season. In recent years, it has been a revolving door at the position. Players such as Russell Okung, Menelik Watson, Donald Stephenson and Jared Veldheer have come and gone and failed to meet expectations. The Broncos could reap the benefits of drafting a blue-chip tackle who is capable of manning the position for years to come.
Andrew Thomas, a 6’5’’ 320-pound offensive tackle out of the University of Georgia, certainly looks the part and has all the measurables of a franchise tackle you can build around. A Georgia boy through and through, Thomas has excelled on the football field at every level and chose to play for the Bulldogs over Alabama, Auburn, Florida and many others. After being tabbed an Unanimous All-American during his junior year in 2019, Thomas elected to enter the 2020 NFL Draft.
By all accounts, Thomas is a day one starter at the NFL level. But would he be an ideal fit for the Broncos?
Positives
Great athlete with all the tools you would want — explosive, strong, great feet and long arms.
Thomas is a ferocious run blocker who wins run blocking engagement. The leverage he plays with is impressive, as he is able to use his weight to his advantage very well. His exceptional footwork translates into great movement. Also uses his hands relatively well with a strong punch.
He explodes off the ball and drives defenders backward. Once he gets to the second level, his quickness and athleticism really shine.
Thomas is versatile, playing both left and right tackle at Georgia with much success. He’s also a hard worker and strong competitor with no off-the-field issues.
Negatives
In pass blocking, Thomas can get sloppy with his feet from time to time, especially when his steps get too long.
He can also be quicker with his hands in order to get inside defenders. Scouts have said they would like to see more aim and attack with his initial punch.
Would need to clean up some minor areas in pass protection, such as leaning, lunging and have a more consistent knee bend, specifically when facing some of the top pass-rushers in the NFL.
Verdict
What stands out about Andrew Thomas from other offensive tackles in this draft is that he is more physically talented and more polished. He is not as raw nor as much of a project as some tackles who have been compared to him, meaning the coaching staff will not have to spend much time grooming Thomas. Thomas is a rare talent who is more than capable of curing the recent woes at offensive tackle for the Broncos.
Draft Projection: Picks 5-20.
Player Comparison: Trent Williams
