Predominantly Orange
FanSided

2020 NFL Draft: Broncos go defense in final first-round mock draft

By Tylor Walden

NASHVILLE, TN - APRIL 25: General view as the Denver Broncos wait to select during the first round of the NFL Draft on April 25, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - APRIL 25: General view as the Denver Broncos wait to select during the first round of the NFL Draft on April 25, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
19 of 33
Next
Andrew Thomas Broncos
ATLANTA, GA – NOVEMBER 30: Andrew Thomas #71 of the Georgia Bulldogs celebrate’s following the Georgia Bulldogs win over the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 52-7 at Bobby Dodd Stadium on November 30, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) /

18th Overall (Dolphins) – Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia

Pick made by Shelby Manning – Contributor

With the Miami Dolphins swapping picks with the Detroit Lions in our draft, the Dolphins were able to jump up and secure their QB in Tua Tagovailoa with the third overall pick. This was a trade that both teams won. The Dolphins were able to jump up and grab their guy, and the Lions were able to still get their #1 guy in cornerback Jeff Okudah and build up more capital.

With the Dolphins in a rebuild and needing to fill holes at many positions, it is likely that they will have the option to just go best player available with their 18th pick. With the way our board fell, luckily for them, the best player available was a very good player in tackle Andrew Thomas. Another player expected to be a top 15 or potentially even top 10 pick, Andrew Thomas would be the steal of the draft for the Dolphins if they could manage to snag him on Thursday.

NFL analysts like him as an immediate starter, which would be great news for the Dolphins if they could get a starting QB and a great starting tackle on the same day. Compared to Ja’Wuan James, Thomas is flexible and has played both sides at tackle. He is praised for his extreme competitiveness, unique talents and ability to set his feet to maintain position. While question marks surround his speed and his build, his competitive nature should make up for any drawbacks.

Coach Brian Flores is looking to build something special in Miami and to do that, you need guys who will work hard and buy into your system. Andrew Thomas will work hard wherever he is drafted, and his mentality would be perfect for the Dolphins. If he is available at 18, the Dolphins don’t pass up on the thought of Andrew Thomas protecting Tua Tagovailoa. The thought should fill Miami faithful with joy.

Home/Mock Draft