We are just two weeks from the draft and you have surely used every draft simulator you can find.
Let’s throw one more into the mix.
This isn’t a mock draft, but Pro Football Focus laid out the red carpet for a player that is a “perfect fit” for each team.
This was their choice for the Cleveland Browns.
Andrew Thomas: Georgia
PFF believes that using the No. 10 overall pick on Georgia’s offensive lineman Andrew Thomas is the best match for both sides.
Their reasoning is as followed:
“Can almost insert any tackle here, but Thomas makes the most sense for a number of reasons. The first is that he actually played left tackle the past two seasons while Iowa’s Tristan Wirfs and Alabama’s Jedrick Wills have been career right tackles. The second is that he’s already damn good in pass protection. This past season at Georgia, Thomas allowed nine total pressures and didn’t have a single game where he gave up more than two. It was as clean a performance across the board as we saw in this tackle class.”
The Resume
Leading up to the draft, Thomas has been regarded as one of the best offensive linemen in the draft.
According to ESPN’s Mel Kiper, Thomas is ranked as the No. 18 overall player in the entire draft.
“I like Andrew Thomas,” Kiper said. “I liked him at Georgia. People said, ‘Ah he’s overrated.’ He’s not overrated. Maybe they’re underrating him. I think Andrew Thomas is getting unfairly criticized.”
“Andrew Thomas, to me, is a daggon’ good player,” Kiper said. “People are down on him saying he’s the fourth-best tackle. If he’s the fourth tackle taken, I’ll take him in a second.”
At 6-foot-5 and 320 pounds, Thomas started all 15 games at right tackle in 2017 as a true freshman when the Bulldogs made the College Football National Championship Game.
In 2018 and 2019, Thomas was an All-American, and in 2019, Thomas won the SEC’s Jacob’s Blocking Trophy, given to the best lineman in the conference.
Had a lot of fun getting to know Georgia OT Andrew Thomas (@allforgod_55) this week.
Starting 26 career games at LT and another 15 at RT, I asked him about playing both OT spots and if there’s truly a difference between the two.
He had a great answer: pic.twitter.com/hpsTK5Ptj5
— Jordan Reid (@JReidNFL) April 7, 2020
Browns Are Interested
PFF is not the only ones that believe the Browns and Thomas are a great marriage.
According to recent reports, the Browns have already been in contact with him.
Georgia OT Andrew Thomas, who’s widely seen as one of the best offensive tackle prospects in this class, has had FaceTime meetings with the #Browns, #Dolphins, #Jaguars, and #Jets. He also has a meeting with the #Giants upcoming this week, per source.
— Jordan Reid (@JReidNFL) April 7, 2020
It’s unknown if Thomas will fall to Cleveland at No. 10 given that there are other teams that need offensive line help too.
As mentioned, the Dolphins and Jaguars need help, and both pick before the Browns.
However, the only real threat may be the Jaguars.
The Dolphins need a quarterback, and Tua Tagovailo has been rumored to be their preferred choice.
The Jaguars need help at tackle desperately, and could potentially steal him away.
Final Thoughts
Realistically, Thomas and Louisville’s Mehki Becton are the top-two likely choices for the Browns.
When running The Draft Network’s draft machine, Thomas and Becton are the top two choices.
Who do you think would be better?
NEXT: NFL Insider John Clayton Reveals Holdup In Browns' Pursuit Of Jadeveon Clowney
