Andrew Thomas makes PFF's top 101 players from 2021
Andrew Thomas was recognized for his strong play in 2021.
Pro Football Focus released its annual list of the top 101 players from this past season, and the 23-year-old left tackle landed at No. 80.
"Giants left tackle Andrew Thomas improved by leaps and bounds in Year 2..." says PFF's Sam Monson, who went on to note that Thomas surrendered just 18 pressures across 517 pass-blocking snaps in 13 games.
After struggling at times during his rookie campaign, Thomas played 800 total offensive snaps this season and allowed just two sacks on those aforementioned 517 pass block snaps. Thomas earned an 82.1 pass block grade from PFF, which ranked 12th among all offensive tackles, while his 78.9 overall grade ranked 19th.
"I definitely made some strides over Year 2," Thomas said on NFL Network's 'Good Morning Football' recently. "I worked really hard this past offseason to get stronger and refine my technique. I think my sets and my hand placement were a lot more consistent this year, which led to an overall better performance. But there's still a lot of work to be done."
Thomas made one of the highlights of the Giants season back in Week 11.
With Big Blue taking on the defending Super Bowl champion Buccaneers on the road, the young tackle made an athletic, leaping catch on a pass from Daniel Jones for a two-yard touchdown.
With Head Coach Brian Daboll now in the fold, the Giants offense is certain to look a lot different in 2022. Thomas is excited to begin working with Daboll to help the offense take a big step forward this coming season.
"I'm looking forward to getting to know him," Thomas said about his new head coach. "Obviously in Buffalo, he helped cultivate one of the most explosive offenses in the league. I'm excited to learn from him and be a part of turning this thing around."
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 )
PFF's early and late-round fits for Giants in 2022 draft
The 2022 NFL Draft will serve as a great opportunity for the Giants to replenish the roster with some fresh, young talent.
The Giants currently hold nine selections in the upcoming draft, including two in the top 7, three in the first 36 and five in rounds 1-3. Free agency will obviously play a role in how GM Joe Schoen ultimately decides to use those nine picks, but that hasn't stopped media outlets from releasing early predictions for Big Blue.
PFF identified one need for every team across the league before choosing both an early-round and late-round fit. For the Giants, the analytics site addressed the offensive line.
Early Fit: Charles Cross, Mississippi State
Late Fit: Braxton Jones, Southern Utah
"After a strong tackle class netted them Andrew Thomas two years ago, another top-heavy class looks destined to gift them their starting right tackle," writes PFF's Michael Renner. "Cross makes the most sense from a pass-protection standpoint, as he allowed only 16 pressures on 719 pass-blocking snaps last year.
After redshirting his freshman season following appearances in three games, Cross went on to start 10 games at left tackle in 2020 and was named to the SEC All-Freshman team. This past season, the young tackle started 12 games and allowed just two sacks and 33 hurries on 719 pass block snaps. He finished with an 86.7 overall grade from PFF, including strong marks in both the run (87.2) and pass (84.9) game. Cross was named First-Team All-SEC and also received the Kent Hull Trophy as the best offensive lineman in Mississippi, chosen by the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame.
Jones was a three-year starter at Southern Utah. He was named Third-Team All-Big Sky in 2019 before being named First-Team All-Big Sky in each of the last two seasons. In 11 games this past year, Jones surrendered three sacks, two hits and seven hurries on 442 pass block snaps. PFF awarded him an overall grade of 93.9, aided by an elite 93.6 run block and 90.1 pass block grade.
NFL Media analyst Daniel Jeremiah released his final edition of the top 50 prospects in the 2022 NFL Draft.
No. 50 Logan Hall, DT, Houston
No. 49 David Ojabo, EDGE, Michigan
No. 48 Sam Howell, QB, North Carolina
No. 47 Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida
No. 46 Christian Watson, WR, North Dakota State
No. 45 Skyy Moore, WR, Western Michigan
No. 44 Nik Bonitto, EDGE, Oklahoma
No. 43 Bernhard Raimann, OT, Central Michigan
No. 42 Tyler Smith, OT, Tulsa
No. 41 Jalen Pitre, S, Baylor
No. 40 Matt Corral, QB, Mississippi
No. 39 Lewis Cine, S, Georgia
No. 38 Christian Harris, LB, Alabama
No. 37 Travis Jones, DT, Connecticut
No. 36 Kenyon Green, G, Texas A&M
No. 35 Kyler Gordon, CB, Washington
No. 34 Arnold Ebiketie, EDGE, Penn State
No. 33 Kenneth Walker III, RB, Michigan State
No. 32 Andrew Booth Jr., CB, Clemson
No. 31 Boye Mafe, EDGE, Minnesota
No. 30 Zion Johnson, IOL, Boston College
No. 29 Quay Walker, LB, Georgia
No. 28 Breece Hall, RB, Iowa State
No. 27 Tyler Linderbaum, IOL, Iowa
No. 26 Malik Willis, QB, Liberty
No. 25 Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State
No. 24 Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh
No. 23 Devonte Wyatt, DT, Georgia
No. 22 Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State
No. 21 Dax Hill, S, Michigan
No. 20 Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa
No. 19 Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas
No. 18 George Karlaftis, EDGE, Purdue
No. 17 Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia
No. 16 Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama
No. 15 Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
No. 14 Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington
No. 13 Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah
No. 12 Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU
No. 11 Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia
No. 10 Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Oregon
No. 9 Jermaine Johnson II, EDGE, Florida State
No. 8 Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
No. 7 Drake London, WR, Southern California
No. 6 Travon Walker, EDGE, Georgia
No. 5 Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame
No. 4 Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State
No. 3 Ickey Ekwonu, OT, North Carolina State
No. 2 Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
No. 1 Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE, Michigan
Mike Kafka brings track record of success to Giants
With the coaching bug taking hold, he got his next opportunity to work under famed coach Andy Reid in Kansas City. He served as the Chiefs' offensive quality control coach in his first year (2017) before serving as quarterbacks coach and pass game coordinator the past two seasons.
"Big picture-wise, you always think about generating those explosive plays," Kafka said of what he learned from Reid. "The Kansas City offense, they're going to throw it deep. We're going to do those types of things downfield. I think that's important to understand and that has to be an element of your offense. Now, we've got to take a step back and make sure it fits for our personnel, fits for the quarterback, fits for offensive line, but I think you want to be able to find ways to generate explosive plays, especially this day in age in the NFL."
With the Giants, he inherits an offense that ranked last in plays of 20 or more yards in 2021.
"What you've got to look at is, right now, we're trying to fit these pieces in," Kafka said. "I think we have an idea from the offensive side and a vision for what this offense is going to look like, but we've got to find out who those pieces are. I think right now we're going through that process. We're going through free agency. We're going through evaluating the guys currently on the team, and we're going through the draft process. So, there's a bunch of steps we've got to take. I'm excited about the players we have in the building. I'm excited about the prospects that are out there. We've got to make sure that we can build a program that is efficient and effective for all the guys on the team."
