New York Giants Offseason: Reviewing the Linebacker Position
By Sean Dyer
Who’s In, Who’s Out?
In: Alec Ogletree, B.J. Goodson, Devon Kennard, Calvin Munson, Curtis Grant, Ray-Ray Armstrong
Out: Jonathan Casillas, Keenan Robinson, J.T. Thomas, Mark Herzlich, Kelvin Sheppard, Akeem Ayers, Deontae Skinner
With the New York Giants transitioning to James Bettcher’s 3-4 defense, there will be different roles for their linebackers. There will now be two inside linebackers and outside linebackers will have to be able to rush the passer. With a majority of last year’s linebackers entering free agency, there will also be lots of changes coming this offseason.
One change that has already happened is the addition of Alec Ogletree. The Giants acquired Ogletree from the Los Angeles Rams on Wednesday, solidifying one of their middle linebacker spots. Ogletree has been one of the NFL’s top linebackers over his four-year career and should finally bring talent to Big Blue’s linebacking corps.
Lined up alongside Ogletree at the other middle linebacker position will be B.J. Goodson. Goodson needs to stay healthy in order to contribute in 2018 but if he does, he and Ogletree should complement each other in the middle of Big Blue’s defense.
With the addition of Ogletree, Jonathan Casillas’s time with the Giants all but comes to an end. Casillas exceeded expectations in his New York career but as a 30-year-old free agent coming off a neck injury, he’ll likely be headed elsewhere in 2018.
Devon Kennard is also a free agent but I expect the Giants to bring him back. Kennard has the versatility to plan inside or outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense and his pass rushing ability could be utilized by Bettcher.
Kennard, however, is the only free agent linebacker I see returning for Big Blue. Keenan Robinson missed most of 2017 and likely doesn’t have a spot on the Giants with Ogletree on board. J.T. Thomas has now missed two seasons in a row. Now that Tom Coughlin and Jerry Reese are both gone, Mark Herzlich’s Giants career has likely come to an end.
Kelvin Sheppard, Akeem Ayers, and Deontae Skinner were all brought in last year because of injuries and won’t be priorities this offseason for the New York Giants.
As for the rest of the linebackers sticking around, Calvin Munson should have a spot as a reserve middle linebacker after a solid rookie year, Curtis Grant should get a chance to compete for a reserve middle linebacker role, and Ray-Ray Armstrong should compete for a reserve spot either inside or outside.