2020 NFL Draft: Los Angeles Chargers top five first-round targets

2. Andrew Thomas, Offensive Tackle, University of Georgia

Protecting whatever quarterback they go into 2020 with has got to be on top of the to-do list this offseason. The Chargers’ offensive line in 2019 wasn’t great and it’s once again not got a good outlook for 2020.

Their best offensive tackle is Russell Okung who missed over half of last season due to health concerns. He will also be turning 33, so it is time to invest in a guy who has the potential to play left tackle for years in the league.

That guy could very well be Georgia left tackle Andrew Thomas. Thomas is a mauler in the run game, where he is at his best. But he also excels in pass protection most of the time.

Thomas has always been good as a run blocker, but he has shown his ability to improve in the passing game as he has increased his pass protection grade every year at Georgia according to PFF. As a freshman, he recorded a pass protection grade of 76.7, which has improved to an 89.0 this past season. His overall grade of 92.4 was the best of any tackle in the draft, and considering he did so against SEC level competition shows how good he can be.

Starting off and playing right tackle for a year where he can improve upon and refine some of the subtleties in his game. His biggest thing he needs to work on right now is his footwork. Two of the draft analysts for The Draft Network zeroed in on that being his worst trait at the moment.

He could work on improving that in his rookie season playing right tackle. He should then have no problem sliding over to the left side in his second year, taking over for Okung.