MAJOR-BREAKING: Giants’ Shocking Move: Fourth-Year Pass-Rusher Named Their ‘Most Valuable Trade Asset’

The New York Giants are looking to rebuild after a disappointing 3-14 finish in the 2024 season. In such a rebuild, teams often trade off valuable assets for draft picks to focus on building a younger, more promising roster.

At times, these trades happen when teams are eager to move up the draft board, often sacrificing key players to secure the prospect they desire. For the Giants, if they want to make a bold move in the upcoming draft, they may have a valuable asset on the defensive side of the ball.

PFF Names Kayvon Thibodeaux as the Giants’ Top Trade Asset

Since being selected fifth overall in the 2022 draft, EDGE Kayvon Thibodeaux has been a polarizing figure. While he’s shown flashes of being a dominant pass-rusher, his play has been inconsistent, with long stretches where he hasn’t registered a sack or significant pressures. In 2024, he posted only 5.5 sacks in 12 games, a significant drop from his career-high 11.5 sacks in 2023.

The Giants are in a tricky spot in terms of roster construction. They have either untouchable young players or ones who may not draw much interest,” Locker noted. “Thibodeaux, however, could be a player of interest.”

He added, “Thibodeaux showed promising signs last season with a 72.0 PFF pass-rushing grade, but he only played 593 snaps. Reports suggest the Giants will pick up his fifth-year option, which could make him less likely to be traded. However, GM Joe Schoen may still consider moving Thibodeaux and using the draft pick to secure a new prospect, such as Penn State’s Abdul Carter, if the Giants select third overall.”

With the Giants’ third overall pick in the draft, moving on from Thibodeaux could position them to secure his replacement, like Carter, who has the potential to be a game-changing pass rusher at the next level.

Could Thibodeaux Be Used to Move Up the Draft Board?

If the Giants decide to trade Thibodeaux, there’s a strong possibility they could no longer hold the third overall pick. Thibodeaux could be used in a trade package to move up to the No. 1 overall pick, potentially enabling them to select Miami QB Cam Ward, foregoing the opportunity to draft Carter.

This move would leave a sizable gap in the Giants’ defense without a clear plan to replace the pass-rusher. However, it would secure them a potential franchise quarterback, an asset far more crucial to their future success.