The Giants finally invested a first-round pick in an offensive tackle, selecting Georgia’s Andrew Thomas No. 4 overall in Thursday night’s NFL Draft, adding a potential foundational centerpiece to an offensive line in the midst of a rebuild.

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Thomas, 6-foot-5 and 320 pounds, played both tackle positions at Georgia as a three-year starter, where he lined up against some of the nation’s premier pass-rushers and solidified himself as one of the top offensive tackle prospects in this class.

“In a word, he’s a stud,” an AFC scout told NJ Advance Media during the NFL Combine.

The scout had Thomas atop his team’s tackle board.

“He has all the good things you want in an offensive lineman,” the scout continued. “Athletic feet, strength, the complete package.”

According to Pro Football Focus, which also lists Thomas as the premier offensive tackle in this class, Thomas earned an 89.0 pass-blocking grade and a 91.3 PFF run-blocking grade as a true junior this past season.

Adding Thomas to the offensive line gives the Giants’ new coaching staff the opportunity to explore moving Nate Solder to right-tackle. Solder has been a disappointment his first two seasons after signing what was at the time, the most lucrative contract among offensive tackles in league history. Last season, Solder surrendered 11 sacks, 57 pressures, and nine quarterback hits in 684 pass-blocking snaps.

Selecting Thomas in the first round is the highest that general manager Dave Gettleman has chosen an offensive lineman in his three drafts as Giants general manager, underscoring the need to add a capable bookend to keep young quarterback Daniel Jones upright.

Likewise, Thomas adds value to the running game when it comes to opening running lanes for running back Saquon Barkley. A mauler in the running game, running backs averaged 6.9 yards per carry when running to Thomas’ gap, according to Sports Info Solutions.

The Giants certainly filled a need and instantly upgraded the offensive line, by choosing Thomas.

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Follow NJ Advance Media reporter Matt Lombardo on Twitter and Instagram: @MattLombardoNFL