Dave Gettleman wants to fix the Giants' offensive line woes "once and for all."
The Giants general manager said this during a conference call on Thursday after the team selected Georgia offensive tackle Andrew Thomas with the No. 4 overall pick in the draft.
Thomas was one of four highly touted tackles to enter the draft, but the Georgia product was the one who stood out above the rest to the Giants front office and coaching staff.
"Andrew has a hell of a pedigree," Gettleman said. "Three-year starter; he's played big-time ball in front of a lot of people … He's ready."
Offensive line has been one of the biggest concerns for the Giants ever since Gettleman arrived at the end of the 2017 season. He has tried to fix the offensive line through free agency and trades, inking Nate Solder to a record deal two offseasons ago, but he has not lived up to his contract.
Thomas has played at both left and right tackle at Georgia, and rookie head coach Joe Judge said he would compete at both with the Giants.
"He has a skill set that is going to allow him to compete," Judge said.
Wherever Thomas play, he will be tasked with protecting last year's first-round pick and franchise quarterback Daniel Jones.
"I always chuckle when people say, 'You draft a QB, you get him weapons,'" Gettleman said. "No, when you draft a QB you get people in front of him. This was an important piece for us."
There was also some talk that the Giants would trade out from the No. 4 pick with such high demand for quarterbacks Tua Tagovailoa and Justin Herbert, and Gettleman appeared to entertain the possibility for the first time in his career.
Ultimately, Gettleman said there were "no firm offers" and the conversations were "touchy-feely."
So, Thomas it was. Gettleman has now spent his three top-10 first-round picks on a running back, quarterback and offensive tackle with the Giants. How those three fare together over the next few years will go a long way in shaping Gettleman's legacy
Added Gettleman: "We're just really happy to have him and to build this team properly."
