The New York Giants signed veteran safety Michael Thomas to a two-year, $4 million deal in 2018 and he immediately rewarded the team with a trip to the Pro Bowl thanks in large part to his special teams prowess.
However, Thomas’ contributions have not been limited to special teams. He stepped in at both safety and cornerback a year ago when called upon, and that doesn’t even compare to the leadership and tutelage he brings to the locker-room.
For that very reason, The Ringer has listed Thomas as one of the most underpaid veterans in the NFL.
New York Giants: Michael Thomas, Safety
Contract: Two years for $4 million (signed 2018)
The fine print: $2 million in Year 1 with a team option for 2019
Total guaranteed at signing: $800,000 (tied for 75th among safeties)
Average annual Value: $2 million (tied for 53rd among safeties)
2019 salary and bonuses: $2 million (tied for 52nd among safeties)The other Michael Thomas signed with the Giants last year and was quickly named a special teams captain. By the end of the season, Thomas was starting for the Giants’ depleted secondary, and he graded out 42nd among all safeties according to Pro Football Focus—only three spots behind Landon Collins, who signed with Washington for $26 million guaranteed this offseason. Thomas was the team’s Walter Payton Man of the Year honoree (an award for community service dedication), and on special teams the Giants went from the worst special teams unit by DVOA in 2017 to third best in 2018, the same year Thomas earned a Pro Bowl nomination.
When comparing production to cost, there’s little doubt that Thomas was a tremendous investment for the Giants. And the fact that he can step in at multiple positions in the secondary only adds to his value.
Here in 2019, Thomas will be slated to play a similar role, all at the cost of just $1.9 million (base salary) and $2 million (total cap hit).
