Kayvon Thibodeaux, New York Giants
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EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - OCTOBER 22: Kayvon Thibodeaux #5 of the New York Giants reacts during the second half of the game against the Washington Commanders at MetLife Stadium on October 22, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)
The New York Giants have several holes on their roster heading into the NFL Scouting Combine, but pass rusher is not one of them.
They have three former first-round picks on the edge in Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux, and Abdul Carter, all of whom have had high points in their NFL careers, or in Carter’s case, a single season.
With the Giants lacking in cap space and missing a third-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft thanks to the Jaxson Dart trade-up last year, some have wondered if New York could use their abundance of riches at pass rusher to replenish their capital.
Thibodeaux has routinely been pointed to as the odd man out.
Entering the final year of his contract, the former No. 5 overall pick could be someone the Giants look to flip for picks and free up cap space, but as it currently stands, New York doesn’t seem keen on moving on from the Oregon product.
Joe Schoens Makes Kayvon Thibodeaux Trade Statement
At his NFL Scouting Combine press conference, New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen was asked about a potential Thibodeaux trade and how the team currently views him as a contributor on defense.
“Right now, Kayvon’s gonna be with us. He played well. He is going into his fifth year, and he’s motivated. And you can’t have enough pass rushers. You really can’t. … Expect big things out of him next year with that rotation,” Schoen said via The Athletic’s Charlotte Carroll.
The Giants GM also went on to confirm that Thibodeaux was “one of the more popular names” that New York received calls on at the 2025 trade deadline.
Obviously, Big Blue decided to hang onto him.
The only real reason a Thibodeaux trade makes sense for the Giants is if they’re trying to free up cash to spend on free agents and their own players set to test the market.
As it stands now, New York has just over $5 million in cap space to work with, which won’t be enough to make any meaningful moves.
Trading Thibodeaux would immediately clear $14.7 million off the Giants’ cap, giving them some flexibility to bring back players like wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson or right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor.
For now, Thibodeaux will stay a Giant, unless this is all a bargaining tactic to drive up the trade price.
The Case for Trading Kayvon Thibodeaux
In reality, it makes the most sense for the New York Giants to cut bait with Thibodeaux.
It’s not because he’s a bad player or anything. New York just has more pressing needs across the roster, and would benefit from giving last year’s No. 3 overall pick, Carter, more playing time.
The Giants need offensive linemen, another wide receiver, and possibly a cornerback, depending on how Cor’Dale Flott’s market shakes out in free agency. Having a rotation of three first-round edge rushers is great, but it’s more of a luxury than a desperate need.
New York should be focusing their resources on offense, looking to surround their second-year quarterback with the protection and weapons he needs to continue developing.
Moving on from Thibodeaux would go a long way in making that possibility a reality.