When the New York Giants used the fifth overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft to select edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux, many believed they had landed the top defensive prospect in the class. Coming out of Oregon with 19 career sacks and elite physical traits, Thibodeaux looked like a future star off the edge.
But since arriving in New York, his performance has been somewhat of a mixed bag. Over three seasons, the 24-year-old has notched 21 total sacks—highlighted by a strong 11.5-sack campaign in 2023—but overall, he’s struggled to find consistent dominance.
Now entering a pivotal fourth year, Thibodeaux’s future with the Giants is very much up in the air. Why? Because the franchise used the No. 3 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft to take another edge rusher—Abdul Carter—signaling they may already be preparing for life beyond Thibodeaux.
According to ESPN’s Aaron Schatz, the writing could be on the wall. He recently suggested that the Giants might look to trade Thibodeaux before the season starts, especially if a contending team like the Packers or Lions comes calling. Schatz believes New York could land a valuable Day 2 pick in return—draft capital that could help fuel the ongoing rebuild around quarterback Jaxson Dart and rising star wideout Malik Nabers.
Of course, there’s another side to the story. With the addition of Carter and the presence of Brian Burns and interior force Dexter Lawrence, the Giants could be assembling one of the league’s most fearsome defensive fronts. That trio could represent a rare bright spot for a team coming off a disappointing three-win season.
Still, the long-term question remains: Is Thibodeaux part of the future, or will the Giants move on while his trade value is high? It’s a debate that’s heating up—and it doesn’t look like it’s going away anytime soon.
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