One NFL draft analyst says Georgia’s Andrew Thomas has Pro Bowl potential, the other says the OT is slipping in rankings

Andrew Thomas of Georgia has been listed as the top offensive tackle in the 2020 NFL draft for so long by many draft analysts that it almost seems a given he’ll go top-5.

Au contraire, says The Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller. From Miller’s latest Scouting Notebook:

“The hype on Andrew Thomas, left tackle from Georgia, seems to be fading. Once thought to be the potential top tackle in the class, Thomas is now ranked third or fourth, depending on the scout you talk to. The rise of Mekhi Becton once he declared, the super-strong play of Jedrick Wills Jr. and the consistency of Tristan Wirfs could push Thomas to the back half of Round 1.”

Fanspeak co-owner Steve Shoup, creator of On The Clock draft simulator, has been one of the few draft analysts who’s consistently listed Wirfs atop the OT class. Wirfs is currently ranked as the No. 9 overall prospect in the latest Fanspeak-Steve big board, while Thomas checks in at No. 11.

Andrew Thomas career:

1,075 pass-block snaps
37 QB pressures allowed pic.twitter.com/T2OuKUyjbH

— PFF College (@PFF_College) January 20, 2020

Thomas, a 6-foot-5, 320 pound junior, is one of two Bulldogs expected to be drafted on either Day 1 or early on Day 2. The other is right tackle Isaiah Wilson, a 6-foot-7, 340 pound junior.

Still, Pro Football Focus is high on Thomas, saying he had “one of the most impressive career grading profiles we’ve ever seen from a college offensive tackle.”

“He went from a 76.7 pass-blocking starting on the right side as a true freshman, to 79.5 in 2018, to 89.0 last season,” writes Michael Renner in PFF’s report on offensive tackles. “His 92.4 overall grade is the highest of any draft-eligible Power-5 offensive tackle.”

Of course, PFF and other draft analysts give Thomas high marks for performing well in the always difficult SEC. However, as Renner point out, Thomas needs help with his footwork during pass protection.

“… But he has the physical tools and production to be a Pro Bowl-type starter in the league,” Renner writes.

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