Andrew Thomas makes Pro Football Focus' Top 25 OT rankings
The Giants went into the offseason with shoring up the offensive line as one of the team's top priorities. They achieved their goal after drafting three offensive linemen in the first five rounds of April's NFL Draft, including the selection of Georgia offensive tackle with the No. 4 overall pick.
Thomas enjoyed a stellar three-year career with the Bulldogs. He started all 15 games at right tackle as a true freshman, earning a selection as a Freshman All-American. In his sophomore campaign, Thomas started 13 games at left tackle and was named First-Team All-SEC and First-Team All-American. As a junior, he again started 13 games at left tackle and earned several accolades, including First-Team All-SEC, Unanimous All-American and the SEC Jacobs Blocking Trophy, awarded to the conference's top blocker.
Thomas is yet to play a single snap in the NFL, but one analytics site already has the rookie lineman ranked as one of the top offensive tackles in the league.
Pro Football Focus released its rankings of the top 25 offensive tackles entering the 2020 NFL season, and coming in at No. 22 is the Giants' first round pick.
As PFF's Anthony Treash writes, "Yes, that's right — a rookie cracked the top 25. He has yet to play a snap in the league, but what we saw from Thomas at Georgia makes us confident in projecting him to the NFL. (You can read about why from PFF’s Eric Eager here.) Thomas played against some of the best competition in the country and earned a remarkable 92.7 PFF grade in 2019, tying for the best we have ever seen from an SEC tackle (La'el Collins in 2013 at LSU). He might struggle to start given the impact of COVID-19 on the offseason/preseason schedule, but Thomas looks like a safe bet in our eyes."
Nick Gates stands out among OL from 2018 class
Nick Gates joined the Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2018. After being placed on injured reserve prior to the start of the 2018 season, Gates played in all 16 games for the Giants last year with three starts.
Gates is arguably the team's most versatile lineman. He started games at right guard and right tackle in 2019, and started 25 consecutive games at left tackle while at Nebraska.
When filling in at right tackle against the Jets last year, Gates allowed just two total pressures on 54 pass blocking snaps. He started at right guard against the Dolphins in Week 15 and played extremely well, earning an 82.1 overall grade from PFF after not allowing a single pressure.
Among offensive linemen from the 2018 class who played a minimum of 250 snaps last season, Gates recorded the seventh-best pass-block grade in the league, according to PFF.
The Giants recently rewarded Gates with a two-year contract extension.
View photos of offensive lineman Nick Gates.
New York Giants offensive lineman Nick Gates (65) waits for the snap during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday Sept. 8, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. The Cowboys defeated the Giants 35-17. (Greg Trott via AP)
New York Giants offensive guard Nick Gates works out works out during NFL football training camp, Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
New York Giants guard Nick Gates (65) between plays during an NFL game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Monday, Dec. 9, 2019, in Philadelphia. The Eagles defeated the Giants 23-17. (Al Tielemans via AP)
New York Giants offensive lineman Nick Gates (65) blocks during an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday Nov. 10, 2019 in East Rutherford, N.J. The Jets defeated the Giants 34-27. (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
New York Giants offensive guard Nick Gates (65) blocks on a field goal attempt during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019 in Chicago. The Bears defeated the Giants 19-14. (Scott Boehm via AP)
New York Giants offensive guard Nick Gates (65) blocks on a field goal attempt during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019 in Chicago. The Bears defeated the Giants 19-14. (Scott Boehm via AP)
New York Giants guard Nick Gates (65) during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday December 29th, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants offensive guard Nick Gates (65) looks on from the sideline during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019 in Chicago. The Bears defeated the Giants 19-14. (Scott Boehm via AP)
New York Giants offensive guard Nick Gates stands on the field during an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2019, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Mark Tenally)
New York Giants guard Nick Gates (65) during an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins Sunday December 22nd, 2019 in Landover, Md (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants guard Nick Gates (65) during an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins Sunday December 15th, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants center Evan Brown (67) and New York Giants offensive guard Nick Gates (65) during an NFL preseason game against the Chicago Bears on Friday, Aug. 16, 2019 in East Rutherford, N.J. The Giants won, 32-13. (Ric Tapia via AP)
New York Giants offensive guard Nick Gates (65) runs during an NFL preseason football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Thursday, Aug. 22, 2019 in Cincinnati. The Giants defeated the Bengals 25-23. (Scott Boehm via AP)
New York Giants offensive lineman Nick Gates (65) rests during an NFL game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019 in Chicago. The Bears defeated the Colts 19-14. (Greg Trott via AP)
New York Giants offensive lineman Nick Gates (65) blocks during an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday Nov. 10, 2019 in East Rutherford, N.J. The Jets defeated the Giants 34-27. (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
New York Giants offensive guard Nick Gates (65) and Kevin Zeitler (70) block New York Jets' Henry Anderson (96) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Steven Ryan)
New York Giants guard Nick Gates (65) signals at the line during an NFL game against the Chicago Bears, Friday, Aug. 16, 2019, East Rutherford, NJ. The Giants defeated the Bears 32-13. (Al Tielemans via AP)
New York Giants offensive guard Nick Gates is seen during pregame of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
New York Giants center Evan Brown (67) and New York Giants offensive guard Nick Gates (65) during an NFL preseason game against the Chicago Bears on Friday, Aug. 16, 2019 in East Rutherford, N.J. The Giants won, 32-13. (Ric Tapia via AP)
New York Giants guard Nick Gates (65) blocks during an NFL game against the Chicago Bears, Friday, Aug. 16, 2019, East Rutherford, NJ. The Giants defeated the Bears 32-13. (Al Tielemans via AP)
New York Giants guard Nick Gates (65) signals at the line during an NFL game against the Chicago Bears, Friday, Aug. 16, 2019, East Rutherford, NJ. The Giants defeated the Bears 32-13. (Al Tielemans via AP)
New York Giants guard Nick Gates (65) blocks during an NFL game against the Chicago Bears, Friday, Aug. 16, 2019, East Rutherford, NJ. The Giants defeated the Bears 32-13. (Al Tielemans via AP)
New York Giants guard Nick Gates (65) during a preseason week 2 game against the Chicago Bears on Thursday, August 16, 2019 in East Rutherford, NJ. (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants offensive guard Nick Gates (65), center Evan Brown (67) prepare for the snap during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Friday, Aug. 16, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants center Spencer Pulley (77), Evan Brown (67) and offensive guard Nick Gates (65) block during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Friday, Aug. 16, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants offensive guard Nick Gates (65) looks to block during the second quarter of a preseason NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Friday, Aug. 16, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants offensive guard Nick Gates (65) gets set prior to the snap during an NFL preseason football game against the New York Jets on Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Giants defeated the Jets, 31-22. (Ryan Kang via AP)
New York Giants offensive guard Nick Gates (65) in action against New York Jets linebacker Jachai Polite (56) during an NFL preseason football game on Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Giants defeated the Jets, 31-22. (Ryan Kang via AP)
New York Giants offensive guard Nick Gates (65) in action during an NFL preseason football game against the New York Jets on Thursday, Aug. 8, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Giants defeated the Jets, 31-22. (Ryan Kang via AP)
New York Giants center Jon Halapio (75), James O'Hagan (60), Nick Gates (65)and Jon Halapio (75) during drills at the NFL football team's training camp Thursday, Aug. 1, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
New York Giants guard Nick Gates (65) during OTA practice on Tuesday May 28, 2019 in East Rutherford, NJ. (Evan Pinkus via AP)
Nebraska offensive lineman Nick Gates runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine on Friday, March 2, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Nebraska offensive lineman Nick Gates runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, March 2, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Nebraska offensive lineman Nick Gates runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, March 2, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Nebraska offensive lineman Nick Gates participates in the 40-yard dash at the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 2, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
Nebraska offensive lineman Nick Gates runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 2, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Nebraska offensive lineman Nick Gates runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 2, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Nebraska offensive lineman Nick Gates participates in the 40-yard dash at the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine on Friday, March 2, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
Nebraska offensive lineman Nick Gates runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 2, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Nebraska offensive lineman Nick Gates runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 2, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Nebraska offensive lineman Nick Gates runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 2, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Nebraska offensive lineman Nick Gates runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 2, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Nebraska offensive lineman Nick Gates runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 2, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Nebraska offensive lineman Nick Gates runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 2, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Nebraska offensive lineman Nick Gates runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 2, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Nebraska offensive lineman Nick Gates runs during a drill at the NFL football scouting combine on Friday, March 2, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Nebraska offensive lineman Nick Gates runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 2, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Nebraska offensive lineman Nick Gates runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 2, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Nebraska offensive lineman Nick Gates runs the 40-yard dash during the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 1, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Logan Bowles via AP)
Nebraska offensive lineman Nick Gates (OL12) participates in a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, March 2, 2018 in Indianapolis. (AJ Mast via AP Images)
Nebraska offensive lineman Nick Gates runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine on Friday, March 2, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Nebraska offensive lineman Nick Gates (OL12) participates in a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, March 2, 2018 in Indianapolis. (AJ Mast via AP Images)
Nebraska offensive lineman Nick Gates runs during a drill at the NFL football scouting combine on Friday, March 2, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Nebraska offensive lineman Nick Gates runs the 40-yard dash during the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine on Thursday, March 1, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Logan Bowles via AP)
Nebraska offensive lineman Nick Gates runs during a drill at the NFL football scouting combine on Friday, March 2, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Nebraska offensive lineman Nick Gates runs during a drill at the NFL football scouting combine on Friday, March 2, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Nebraska offensive lineman Nick Gates (OL12) participates in a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, March 2, 2018 in Indianapolis. (AJ Mast via AP Images)
Nebraska offensive lineman Nick Gates (OL12) participates in a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, March 2, 2018 in Indianapolis. (AJ Mast via AP Images)
Nebraska offensive lineman Nick Gates (OL12) participates in a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, March 2, 2018 in Indianapolis. (AJ Mast via AP Images)
Nebraska offensive lineman Dwayne Johnson Jr., left, and offensive lineman Nick Gates (68) perform a drill during NCAA college football spring practice in Lincoln, Neb., Tuesday, March 8, 2016. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
Rutgers defensive back Kiy Hester (2) watches as Nebraska offensive lineman Nick Gates (68) hoists wide receiver JD Spielman, who caught a touchdown pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Lincoln, Neb., Saturday, Sept. 23, 2017. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
Nebraska running back Tre Bryant (18) is hoisted by offensive lineman Nick Gates after Bryant scored a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Arkansas State in Lincoln, Neb., Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017. Nebraska won 43-36. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
Nebraska offensive lineman Nick Gates (68) arrives to the first day of preseason football practice, in Lincoln, Neb., Sunday, July 30, 2017. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
Nebraska wide receiver Jordan Westerkamp (1) is hoisted by offensive lineman Nick Gates (68) after he caught a touchdown pass against Maryland during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Lincoln, Neb., Saturday, Nov. 19, 2016. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
Nebraska offensive lineman Nick Gates (68) talks to offensive lineman Christian Gaylord (56) between drills during NCAA college football spring practice in Lincoln, Neb., Tuesday, March 8, 2016. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
Nebraska offensive lineman Nick Gates (68) arrives to the first day of preseason practice, in Lincoln, Neb., Sunday, July 30, 2017. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
Nebraska running back Tre Bryant (18) celebrates his touchdown with offensive lineman Nick Gates (68) during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Minnesota in Lincoln, Neb., Saturday, Nov. 12, 2016. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
Nebraska offensive lineman Nick Gates (68) performs a drill during NCAA college football spring practice in Lincoln, Neb., Tuesday, March 8, 2016. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
Red Team quarterback Zack Darlington (2) throws as offensive lineman Nick Gates (68) blocks White Team defensive lineman Dylan Owen (76) during Nebraska's annual NCAA college football Red-White spring game in Lincoln, Neb., Saturday, April 11, 2015. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
Nebraska offensive lineman Nick Gates (68) and offensive lineman Christian Gaylord (56) go through a drill during NCAA college football spring practice in Lincoln, Neb., Tuesday, March 8, 2016. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
Nebraska offensive lineman Nick Gates (68) and offensive lineman Christian Gaylord (56) go through a drill during NCAA college football spring practice in Lincoln, Neb., Tuesday, March 8, 2016. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
Nebraska offensive lineman Dwayne Johnson Jr. (76) works with offensive lineman Nick Gates (68) during NCAA college football spring practice in Lincoln, Neb., Tuesday, March 8, 2016. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
Nebraska offensive lineman Nick Gates (68) participates in a drill on the first day of NCAA college football spring practice in Lincoln, Neb., Saturday, March 5, 2016. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
New York Giants guard Nick Gates (65) during a week 17 regular season game against the Philadelphia Eagles at MetLife Stadium on Sunday December 29th, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants G Kevin Zeitler (70) and OL Nick Gates (65) during a regular season week 17 game against the Philadelphia Eagles at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ
New York Giants Offensive Line helps at the Food Bank for NYC in Harlem, New York
New York Giants Offensive Line helps at the Food Bank for NYC in Harlem, New York
Offensive Line
OLB Nick Gates (65) at New York Giants Training Camp 2019 at Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, NJ
QB Daniel Jones (8) at New York Giants Training Camp 2019 at Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, NJ
LB Oshane Ximines (53)
Photos: Veterans take the field at training camp
Training camp is officially underway.
Check out exclusive photos of Giants veterans taking the field in the gallery below.
View photos of veteran players getting in their conditioning at training camp.
S Jabrill Peppers
WR Golden Tate
DL Dalvin Tomlinson
RB Saquon Barkley
G Will Hernandez
S Jabrill Peppers
DL Dexter Lawrence
DL B.J. Hill
WR Golden Tate
OLB Oshane Ximines
OLB Lorenzo Carter
DL B.J. Hill (95)
OLB Oshane Ximines
OLB Oshane Ximines
OLB Kyler Fackrell
RB Saquon Barkley (front), RB Elijhaa Penny (middle), RB Wayne Gallman (back)
DL Dexter Lawrence
DL Austin Johnson
CB James Bradberry
OL Nick Gates
S Sean Chandler
WR Sterling Shepard
RB Saquon Barkley
CB James Bradberry
G Kevin Zeitler
DB Nate Ebner
S Jabrill Peppers
S Sean Chandler
OT Eric Smith
RB Wayne Gallman
RB Saquon Barkley
RB Wayne Gallman (22), RB Saquon Barkley (26), TE Levine Toilolo (85), TE Evan Engram (88)
RB Saquon Barkley
RB Dion Lewis
RB Saquon Barkley
RB Elijhaa Penny
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