INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana (92.3 The Fan) – With the 10th overall pick in the 2020 Draft, the Browns could turn to another Thomas to anchor the line at left tackle.
Andrew Thomas from Georgia.
Thomas, one of the higher rated tackles in this year’s draft class knows all about Cleveland’s No. 3 pick in the 2007 NFL Draft.
“Following in the footsteps of a great like that, it would be a great opportunity,” Thomas said Wednesday morning at the NFL Combine.
Joe Thomas played 11 seasons with the Browns where he made 10 Pro Bowls and played 10,363 consecutive snaps in his career before a torn triceps tendon ended the streak and ultimately his career.
It is presumed Thomas will be elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame when he is eligible in 2023.
“It’ll be hard to fill those footsteps,” Thomas said. “All I can do is work, try to learn the system, learn from the older guys and do what I can and be the best player I can be.”
Joe Thomas skipped the draft to go fishing with his dad.
Andrew Thomas, who measured in at 6-5 1/8 and 315 pounds, might find himself preoccupied with a drum set or piano this April.
In high school, Thomas played football and played in the band where he found himself changing uniforms at halftime on multiple occasions to perform.
His love of music has been among the topics discussed in interviews with teams, and likely with the Browns too after meeting with them for a formal interview Tuesday night in Indianapolis.
“They show good plays, they ask you to explain it, then they’ll show a play that you might’ve messed up and they’ll ask you basically what you should do to fix it,” Thomas said.
Thomas knows a little about another Brown – running back Nick Chubb, who finished second in the NFL in rushing this season with 1,494 yards on the ground. He blocked for Chubb in 2017 starting 15 games at right tackle.
There’s a real possibility Thomas could make some music up front blocking for Chubb, who could keep talking with his feet and the ball in his hands.
“That’d be crazy,” Thomas said. “Nick, he’s a great guy. He’s always mellow. Just like he was in college, he’s a great running back in [the NFL]. It would be a pleasure to block for him again.”
Chubb ran for 4,769 yards, second in school history behind Hershel Walker, and 44 touchdowns for the Bulldogs. And according to Thomas, Chubb was as quiet then as he is now in Cleveland.
“He’s a pretty chill dude,” Thomas said. “When he gets comfortable around you, he talks a bit more.”
