Analyst Brad Gagnon of Bleacher Report has labeled New York Giants left tackle Andrew Thomas as the team’s “most overpaid” player. This designation stems from a combination of Thomas’s injury struggles and the substantial contract he signed—a five-year, $117.5 million deal. While Giants general manager Joe Schoen has generally been cautious with high-priced contracts, Gagnon believes this particular agreement stands out as an overpayment, given Thomas’s availability issues and overall performance across his career.
Despite his injury setbacks, Thomas has remained the Giants’ most reliable offensive lineman when healthy. Over the past two seasons, his impact has been undeniable. In 2023, Thomas played only 416 snaps due to injury, yet he was the only Giants lineman to earn grades above 71.8 in both run blocking and pass protection, according to Pro Football Focus. Additionally, he allowed just 16 total pressures, the fewest among Giants linemen who played at least 400 snaps.
Injuries have certainly limited his time on the field, but his value to the Giants’ offensive line cannot be overstated. After suffering a hamstring strain in Week 1 of the 2023 season, Thomas missed a significant portion of the year. Still, when he returned, he posted a 97.1 pass-blocking efficiency rating, the highest among Giants linemen with at least 150 pass-blocking snaps. His absence was glaring, as the offensive line struggled in his stead, further emphasizing his importance to the unit.
While the concerns over his durability are valid, Thomas remains a cornerstone of the Giants’ offensive line. The challenge for both the team and the player is finding a way to keep him on the field. If he can stay healthy, his performance justifies the investment—but until then, the debate over whether he is overpaid will continue.
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