The Carolina Panthers could be looking to strengthen their offensive line in the 2020 NFL Draft, but is Andrew Thomas worth considering in the first round?
Things could do with improving on the Carolina Panthers’ offensive line heading into the 2020 NFL Draft.
They have invested a lot in quarterback Teddy Bridgewater and All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey. So it would be wise for the franchise to protect them as much as possible.
With so many needs to fill on the defensive side of the ball, selecting an offensive lineman with their first-round pick would be a huge surprise. But that is not to say the Panthers are not considering the possibility.
This would become increasingly likely if they trade down from No. 7 in order to acquire more picks. There is expected to be a lot of activity within the top-ten as various teams go after their player of choice.
If this is a route Carolina is set on doing, then offensive tackle Andrew Thomas is sure to be high on their shortlist. The imposing figure was a real standout at Georgia and is expected to be one of the first players taken at the position.
Thomas has the potential to be an elite offensive lineman with Pro Bowl potential at the next level. He is a dominant figure in the run game and handles pass-rushers with incredible poise on passing downs.
The player became a trusted blindside protector for mid-round prospect Jake Fromm and has stood out substantially during the evaluation process. There are plenty of teams who are high on Thomas so it would be a huge surprise if he was not taken in the top ten.
If one of those teams is the Panthers, then they have a huge dilemma. Trading down could put the player out of reach. But selecting at No. 7 and neglecting the defense would be met with severe scrutiny.
What would Thomas bring to the Panthers?
Andrew Thomas is a plug-and-play starter in the NFL at either tackle spot. He is not the niftiest in terms of getting to the second level. But that does not take away from what a fantastic prospect he is.
His potential arrival with the Carolina Panthers would do an untold amount of good for the offense. Thomas is a brute force in the run game and would provide Christian McCaffrey with a quality presence to run behind going forward.
The player comes with an incredibly high ceiling and if he finds out how to make the most out his length and physical attributes then there is no telling what he can achieve in the future. Thomas plays with a real aggressiveness and seems tailormade for the Panthers’ offensive scheme under Joe Brady and Matt Rhule.
Thomas struggles a little bit in motion. But Teddy Bridgewater is not the most mobile of quarterbacks and this also works in the incoming recruit’s favor. He is a difficult player to shift from the block and has heavy hands at the point of attack. This makes him extremely difficult to get around.
The Panthers do have other glaring needs. They also recently traded for Pro Bowl left tackle Russell Okung in a deal that saw guard Trai Turner moved to the Los Angeles Chargers. The organization also has high hopes for Greg Little in the long-term.
Thomas represents an instant upgrade on the current right guard option Taylor Moton and could learn his craft in this spot before eventually taking over from Okung on the left-hand side.
The Panthers are in desperate need of defensive help. But they also need to find a tackle that can provide them with formidable resistance over the next decade.
There is little doubt that Thomas fits that bill. Whether he will end up at No. 7 remains to be seen.