Giants pick up Andrew Thomas' fifth-year option
Before Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll took over the New York Giants last offseason, the team was run by former GM Dave Gettleman. And while that name may leave a sour taste in the mouths of Giants fans, his fourth overall pick in 2020 won't. That pick was Andrew Thomas, a left tackle out of […]
Before Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll took over the New York Giants last offseason, the team was run by former GM Dave Gettleman. And while that name may leave a sour taste in the mouths of Giants fans, his fourth overall pick in 2020 won't.
That pick was Andrew Thomas, a left tackle out of Georgia. And it wasn't all peaches and cream with Thomas either, as he struggled to acclimate to NFL speed, leaving some wondering if he would be a bust after his rookie season.
But then in 2021, he showed significant improvement as a sophomore tackle before completely changing his game this past year, earning second-team All-Pro honors and now, a pickup of his fifth-year option.
For those who are uninitiated in NFL contracts, the fifth-year option is a contract option that all teams have when it comes to their first-round draft picks, something other selections don't have.
If a player is picked any later than round one, they have a traditional four-year contract, at which point they will become a free agent and have the option to sign wherever they please.
But with a fifth-year option, the team can lock in their first-round pick through the first five years of their contract, typically doing so as early as after their third season. Basically, it can be viewed as a rookie franchise tag scenario.
And that's the point. The team obviously values Thomas, and will likely aim to work out a contract extension long before he reaches the fifth year of his rookie deal. For Thomas to gain this support from a front office that didn't draft him speaks to the type of player he is.
Per PFF, Thomas was amongst the best in the league in both penalties and sacks allowed, earning an 89.1 overall grade in his best season as a pro. This story is important because it shows that the Giants are finally functioning as a well-run organization, and it shows why being patient with prospects is key.
Take his counterpart at right tackle, Evan Neal. A top-10 pick in last year's draft, Neal had his struggles as a rookie but he also showed flashes of brilliance, and with time, could become as valuable as Thomas.
It would have been more shocking if the Giants declined Thomas' option as opposed to picking it up, so this isn't some pat-on-the-back scenario for the coaching staff and front office. But even no-brainers become tricky atop the NFL, so it's comforting to know that the Giants have a stable process.
