Andrew Thomas makes ESPN's list of top 25 under 25
Giants third-year tackle Andrew Thomas has received a ton of praise for his dominant performance throughout the season.
The recognition continued this week when ESPN released their list of the top 25 players under 25-years-old, and the Giants' left tackle came in at No. 12.
"Thomas struggled out of the gate, giving up 16 sacks as a rookie in 2020, but he has now emerged as one of the best left tackles in football in his third season," wrote ESPN's Matt Miller. "He plays with the type of poise, patience, balance and power rarely found in a young tackle, showing the strength to shut down power rushers and the agility to cut off the corner and play in space. And he's only getting better every week."
Heading into Week 12, Thomas had yet to surrender a sack this season. The 23-year-old was dealing with an illness last week which caused him to miss some practice time ahead of the Thanksgiving matchup in Dallas. He would go on to play, but did surrender his first sack of the season.
"He wasn't feeling good," coach Brian Daboll said about Thomas after the game. "I'd say he was fighting through it today, too. Give those guys a lot of credit that pushed through things, and I certainly do."
Thomas would not use the illness as an excuse, however.
"That's the NFL. Every team has to deal with injuries," the tackle said following the matchup in Dallas. "Every team has a Thursday game. So you can't make excuses. You just have to deal with it and go out there and play."
Even with last week's performance, Thomas has still given up just one sack and 12 total pressures across 427 pass block snaps, according to Pro Football Focus. The analytics site recently listed him as a first-time All-Pro candidate.
"You get 17 guaranteed opportunities, so you have to have a quick mindset regardless of if you played well or bad, gearing up and being ready for next week," Thomas told the media Tuesday.
The other players to make ESPN's list from the NFC East include Cowboys DE/LB Micah Parsons (No. 1), Eagles QB Jalen Hurts (No. 9), Cowboys CB Trevon Diggs (No. 15) and Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb (No. 19).
View the best photos from the career of Giants All-Pro left tackle Andrew Thomas.
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New York Giants offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (78) during a football game against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday September 18, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)
New York Giants offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (78) during a NFL wild card playoff game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday January 15, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
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New York Giants offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (78) during a football game against the Chicago Bears on Sunday October 2, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)
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New York Giants offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (78) in action during the second half of an NFL football game against the Washington Football Team, Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
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New York Giants offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (78) during a week 6 football game against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday October 17th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
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New York Giants offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (78) during a week 6 football game against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday October 17th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants head coach Joe Judge talks with offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (78) before a week 2 Thursday Night football game against the Washington Football Team on Thursday September 16th, 2021 in Landover, Maryland.
New York Giants offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (78) during a week 1 game against the Denver Broncos on September 12th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (78) during a week 3 football game against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday September 26th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (78) during a week 6 football game against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday October 17th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (78) during a week 2 Thursday Night football game against the Washington Football Team on Thursday September 16th, 2021 in Landover, Maryland.
New York Giants Andrew Thomas (78) celebrates his score against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of an NFL football game Monday, Nov. 22, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio)
New York Giants' Andrew Thomas makes the catch on a 2-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Daniel Jones during the first half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Monday, Nov. 22, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio)
New York Giants offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (78) blocks against the Atlanta Falcons during an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (78) defends against the Denver Broncos during an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New Orleans Saints defensive end Payton Turner, left, rushes the quarterback against New York Giants offensive tackle Andrew Thomas in the first half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021. (AP Photo/Derick Hingle)
New York Giants offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (78) blocks against the Atlanta Falcons during an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (78) in action during the first half of an NFL football game against the Washington Football Team, Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
New York Giants offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (78) blocks against the Atlanta Falcons during an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (78) in action against the New England Patriots during an NFL preseason football game, Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (78) during a NFL Training Camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Saturday August 7, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
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New York Giants offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (78) during a preseason game against the New York Jets on Saturday August 14th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
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New York Giants offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (78) during a preseason NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday August 22, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio.
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New York Giants offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (78) during minicamp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Thursday June 10, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (78) during a preseason joint practice with the New England Patriots on Wednesday August 25, 2021 in Foxborough, MA
New York Giants offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (78) during a NFL Training Camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Saturday August 7, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants offensive tackle Matt Peart (74) and offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (78) stand on the sidelines in the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the New York Jets, Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)
New York Giants offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (78) in action against the New England Patriots during an NFL preseason football game, Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (78) catches a pass for a two-point conversion in the second half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
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New York Giants offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (78) during OTA practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Wednesday June 2, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
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New York Giants offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (78) during a week 3 regular season football game against the San Francisco 49ers at MetLife Stadium on September 27h, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
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New York Giants offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (78) during a week 1 regular season Monday Night football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at MetLife Stadium on September 13th, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (78) during a week 3 regular season football game against the San Francisco 49ers at MetLife Stadium on September 27h, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (78) during a week 1 regular season Monday Night football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at MetLife Stadium on September 13th, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (78) during a week 1 regular season Monday Night football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at MetLife Stadium on September 13th, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
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New York Giants offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (78) during a week 8 regular season Monday Night football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at MetLife Stadium on November 2nd, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (78) during a week 17 regular season football game against the Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium on January 3, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (78) during a week 15 regular season football game against the Cleveland Browns at MetLife Stadium on December 20th, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (78) during a week 1 regular season Monday Night football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at MetLife Stadium on September 13th, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (78) during a week 15 regular season football game against the Cleveland Browns at MetLife Stadium on December 20th, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (78) during a week 15 regular season football game against the Cleveland Browns at MetLife Stadium on December 20th, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (78) during a week 15 regular season football game against the Cleveland Browns at MetLife Stadium on December 20th, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (78) during a week 8 regular season Monday Night football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at MetLife Stadium on November 2nd, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (78) during a week 8 regular season Monday Night football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at MetLife Stadium on November 2nd, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (78) in action during an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - JANUARY 03: The New York Giants take on the Dallas Cowboys at Metlife Stadium on January 3, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Ben Solomon/New York Giants)
New York Giants offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (78) in action during the second half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
New York Giants offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (78) during a week 6 regular season football game against the Washington Football Team at MetLife Stadium onOctober 18th, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (78) in action against the Chicago Bears during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski)
New York Giants offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (78) in action during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (78) blocks the Dallas Cowboys defense during an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. Dallas won 37-34. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)
New York Giants offensive lineman Andrew Thomas is pictured during the first half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Seattle. The Giants won 17-12. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
New York Giants offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (78) in action during an NFL football game against the Washington Football Team, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
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New York Giants tight end Levine Toilolo (85) and Nick Gates (65) celebrate with Andrew Thomas (78) who caught a pass for a two-point conversion in the second half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
New York Giants' Andrew Thomas (78) participates in a practice at the NFL football team's training camp in East Rutherford, N.J., Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2020. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (78) during a training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Friday August 21, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (78) during a training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Monday August 18, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (78) during a training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Monday August 18, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (78) during a training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Tuesday August 18, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (78) during a training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Friday August 21, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (78) during a training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Sunday August 16, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (78) during a training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Sunday August 16, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (78) during a training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Thursday August 27, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (78) during training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Wednesday September 2, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (78) during a training camp scrimmage at Met Life Stadium on Friday August 28, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (78) during a training camp scrimmage at Met Life Stadium on Friday August 28, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (78) during a week 13 football game against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday December 5th, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida
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New York Giants offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (78) during a week 11 football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday November 22nd, 2021 in Tampa, Florida
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New York Giants offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (78) during a week 16 football game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday December 26th, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
New York Giants offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (78) during a week 17 football game against the Chicago Bears on Sunday January 2, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois
New York Giants offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (78) during a week 18 football game against the Washington Football Team on Sunday January 9th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
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New York Giants offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (78) during a week 15 football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday December 19th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (78) during a week 16 football game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday December 26th, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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New York Giants offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (78) during a NFL wild card playoff game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday January 15, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
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New York Giants offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (78) during a game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday December 11, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Jerry Pinkus/ New York Giants)
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New York Giants offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (78) during a NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Saturday December 24, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
Daniel Bellinger feels 'comfortable'; double vision gone after eye injury
Daniel Bellinger has missed the Giants' last four games with an injury that is atypical for a football player. Because of that, his recovery and rehabilitation have included landmarks both familiar and alien to someone who wears an NFL uniform.
The Giants' rookie tight end suffered an injury to his left eye that included a fractured orbital bone in Jacksonville on Oct. 23. Bellinger had just caught a Daniel Jones' pass for a 13-yard gain when linebacker Devin Lloyd's hand inadvertently went through his facemask and hit his eye.
After surgery, swelling and an extended period of double vision, Bellinger yesterday returned to a full-pads practice for the first time since he was hurt – with a visor affixed to his helmet as extra protection.
"The thing today was to see how I felt about the eye, and I wasn't apprehensive about it," Bellinger said. "I felt good going out there and I felt comfortable hitting and I didn't feel like I had to slow up or anything like that. I felt comfortable going out there and just playing ball."
He hopes to play in a game on Sunday, when the Giants host the Washington Commanders in a key NFC East clash in MetLife Stadium.
"I would say he's trending in the right direction," coach Brian Daboll said before practice. "So, we'll see how it goes out there today, but I'm optimistic for Belly."
Once again, the New York Giants are bringing back their classic blue uniforms from the '80s and '90s this Sunday as part of two Legacy Games presented by Quest.
QB Daniel Jones (8)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
WR Kenny Golladay (19)
RB Saquon Barkley (26)
RB Saquon Barkley (26)
RB Saquon Barkley (26)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
S Xavier McKinney (29)
RB Saquon Barkley (26)
S Xavier McKinney (29)
RB Saquon Barkley (26)
WR Kenny Golladay (19)
S Xavier McKinney (29)
S Xavier McKinney (29)
S Xavier McKinney (29)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
Saquon Barkley (26), Daniel Jones (8)
Darius Slayton (86)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Jaylon Smith (54)
Nick Williams (93)
Dexter Lawrence (97), D.J. Davidson (98)
Tanner Hudson (88)
Dexter Lawrence (97), Tae Crowder (48)
Jihad Ward (55)
Jaylon Smith (54), Tae Crowder (48), Dane Belton (24)
Dexter Lawrence (97)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Saquon Barkley (26), Daniel Jones (8)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Tae Crowder (48)
Tae Crowder (48)
Daniel Jones (8), Ben Bredeson (68)
Mark Glowinski (64), Jon Feliciano (76), Daniel Jones (8)
Jamie Gillan (6), Graham Gano (9)
Ben Bredeson (68), Mark Glowinski (64), Jon Feliciano (76)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Daniel Jones (8)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Micah McFadden (41), Azeez Ojulari (51)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Xavier McKinney (29)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Julian Love (20)
Dexter Lawrence (97), Azeez Ojulari (51)
Tae Crowder (48), Kayvon Thibodeaux (5), Micah McFadden (41)
Daniel Jones (8)
Tyrod Taylor (2), Saquon Barkley (26)
Xavier McKinney (29), Fabian Moreau (37)
Daniel Jones (8), Daniel Bellinger (82)
Daniel Jones (8)
Daniel Jones (8), Daniel Bellinger (82)
Daniel Jones (8)
Daniel Jones (8)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
DL Leonard Williams (99)
RB Saquon Barkley (26)
RB Saquon Barkley (26)
DL Leonard Williams (99)
RB Saquon Barkley (26)
T Andrew Thomas (78)
T Andrew Thomas (78)
T Andrew Thomas (78)
DL Leonard Williams (99)
T Andrew Thomas (78)
T Andrew Thomas (78), LB Azeez Ojulari (51)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
Draft Season | Big 10 Prospects & 2022 Defensive Class Review
The Draft Season crew discusses the standout players from the Michigan vs Ohio State game, take a look at the Notre Dame vs USC game, and break down the 2023 draft class in comparison to past years.
00:39 - Michigan vs Ohio State takeaways
14:00 - Standout players from the game
25:34 - Michigan running backs
33:00 - Notre Dame vs USC game
44:49 - Overall evaluation of the 2023 draft class
