New York Giants 2017 Roster Preview: Linebackers

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – OCTOBER 25: J.T. Thomas (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

OLBs Deontae Skinner, J.T. Thomas, and Steven Daniels

Deontae Skinner spent time on the Giants practice squad, active roster, and the waiver wire during the 2016 season. He ended up appearing in four games, exclusively on special teams and totaled five tackles.

Skinner will be competing with Mark Herzlich, Calvin Munson, and potentially J.T. Thomas for a reserve linebacker/special teams role. His special teams play during the preseason will determine whether or not he makes the team.

J.T. Thomas was signed by the Giants to be a starting linebacker but his starting job is long gone. Thomas did start 11 games in 2015 but missed four games with an ankle injury.

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In 2014, as a ten-game starter for the Jacksonville Jaguars, Thomas recorded 84 total tackles, two interceptions, and two forced fumbles. When he started in 2015 for Big Blue, however, Thomas totaled just 46 tackles and forced no turnovers.

Thomas did not start the 2016 season opener and would eventually tear ligaments in his left knee in that game, ending his season.

Now healthy, J.T. Thomas is fighting for a roster spot.

Just a few days ago, I would have said Thomas was an easy roster cut. No reserve linebacker is worth a $4 million cap hit.

However, Thomas took a $2.2 million pay cut on Thursday, lowering his base salary to the league minimum for a player with six years of experience. Thomas’ contract is now much more in line with the role he would potentially play with the New York Giants.

Once a starter, J.T. Thomas must now win his job on special teams. Lucky for him, he was a special teams standout with Jacksonville before joining Big Blue.

Steven Daniels was just signed earlier in the week after being waived by the Philadelphia Eagles. Daniels was drafted in the seventh round by the Washington Redskins in 2016 but he never saw any game action due to a torn labrum in training camp his rookie year.

Daniels is preseason linebacker depth and a longshot to make the 53-man roster.

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