Buccaneers: Why Andrew Thomas is the best option at OT
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will need to address the offensive tackle position in the upcoming 2020 NFL Draft and Andrew Thomas is the best option.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are just a couple of weeks out from the 2020 NFL Draft.
The Buccaneers are slated to pick at No. 14 in the draft and the overwhelming opinion from analysts across the league is that Tampa will look to address the offensive tackle position.
When looking at the 2020 NFL Draft class in relation to offensive tackle, there are four names that have rise above the rest: Mekhi Becton (Louisville), Jedrick Wills Jr. (Alabama), Tristan Wirfs (Iowa) and Andrew Thomas (Georgia).
The order of these four guys will differ depending on which analyst you talk to.
As we inch closer to the NFL Draft, it’s becoming increasingly clearer that the Buccaneers want Andrew Thomas.
Why?
When I look at the film of these four offensive linemen, I honestly like Mekhi Becton the best of all. Behind Becton is Wills Jr.
Though both of those guys rank ahead of Thomas, the truth is that neither one will be available by pick No. 14. You can always dream that a franchise or two value a guy like Tristan Wirfs over Becton and that leads to them dropping, but the truth is that’s just not going to happen.
Unless the Buccaneers are willing to trade up, there’s no way to that Mekhi Becton or Jedrick Wills Jr. will be available.
So, that leaves Tristan Wirfs and Andrew Thomas.
There are certainly mock drafts out there that have both Wirfs and Thomas off the board by pick No. 14, but it is my belief that at least one of those guys will fall to the Bucs- and Tampa fans should hope that it is Thomas.
Why? When you look at the film, you can see that Thomas is more-than-capable of playing the offensive tackle position. Thomas has the length and footwork to be as effective of a left tackle in the league as any current draft prospect. He has the measurables and the skills to succeed.
Wirfs is a bit more of a question mark.
While Wirfs is physical and certainly very talented, he is a bit more limited in his range of motion. He projects more as a right tackle- or potentially even an offensive guard- at the next level.
Next. Tom Brady holds nothing back in Howard Stern interview. dark
The Buccaneers need to protect Tom Brady right now and that means drafting the guy who can most help them immediately on the exterior of that offensive line. It’s becoming clearer that Andrew Thomas is that guy.