The New York Giants might be in for a complicated 2024 NFL season as they seek an identity in a loaded NFC East but one thing is for certain: They’ve got one of the most important pieces to the puzzle in left tackle Andrew Thomas, who just last year signed a 5-year deal contract extension worth $117.5 million.

Thomas is clearly perceived around the NFL as one of the very best despite playing on a below average OL, which was confirmed by ESPN’s offensive tackle rankings put together by polling coaches, execs, and scouts from around the league.

Thomas was ranked eighth, with the highest ranking on an individual being No. 1. Surprisingly, he was unranked by at least one voter, which likely contributed to a relatively lower ranking.

But beyond the ranking, what’s even more exciting about the rankings is the quote ESPN used from an anonymous executive out of the AFC: “Trent Williams has been the standard, but I think Thomas, if he puts together a stronger body of work, has enough upside to be the top guy.”

Talk about receiving superlative praise. To call for Andrew Thomas to become the top tackle in the league while many household names like Rashawn Slater and Penei Sewell are in the race for the same title is a powerful claim.

Now granted, the Giants have many question marks to answer before being considered a contender. Is the quarterback of the future on the roster as of today? Is Brian Daboll sticking around for a long time? But all that is much easier to address when knowing you’re set at left tackle, one of the most important positions in the sport.

Thomas has proven he can hold his own even against the top pass rushers of the league and fans will get to see him be tested again against top-tier rivals like Micah Parsons soon enough as the season quickly approaches.