The New York Giants selected Georgia offensive tackle Andrew Thomas with the fourth overall selection in this year’s NFL Draft. Any offensive lineman with that high a draft status is usually earmarked to play left tackle in the NFL, but one scout may not be so sure the Giants will benefit the most by automatically placing Thomas on the left side.
Jim Nagy, a former New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks scout who also served as the Senior Bowl executive director and an ESPN draft analyst, told Zack Rosenblatt of NJ Advance Media that the addition of third-round pick Matt Peart of UConn could change the Giants’ mind on where the two massive tackles will wind up.
“I would think they’d probably play Andrew Thomas at left,” said Nagy. “But if you were starting from scratch and where they got drafted from wasn’t an issue, you’d probably put Peart and left and Thomas on the right.
“Usually you can’t get a guy with starting left tackle ability in the third round, and he’s got that type of upside. His feet, his length, he’s done some really good stuff in pass pro. He’s a better athlete than Andrew Thomas.”
The plan, although it hasn’t been revealed as of yet, is likely to have Thomas take over at left tackle for Nate Solder and have Solder flop over to the right side where he’ll be up against Peat, Nick Gates and Cam Fleming for the starting role.
Nagy believes the Giants will benefit best by plotting Peart in on the left side, maybe not right away but over time.
“He’s not as good of a football player right now but he’s a better athlete. That’s clear. That’s inarguable,” Nagy said.
That’s excellent news for the Giants as they are built on versatility and having more than one option at left tackle is a blessing in this league.
