Kayvon Thibodeaux
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The New York Giants most compelling price to trade Kayvon Thibodeaux has been revealed.
He’s not necessarily on the trade block at the moment, even after significant recent comments from head coach John Harbaugh, but New York Giants edge-rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux still isn’t safe. Not if Big Blue were to receive a particular offer revealed by a New York Times bestselling author who’s covered the Giants for decades.
Writing for The Athletic, Ian O’Connor explained how “The Giants are fine keeping Kayvon Thibodeaux. But I’d heard if they get an offer of a late second-round pick or early third-round pick they would be compelled to make a deal.”
The Giants are fine keeping Kayvon Thibodeaux. But I'd heard if they get an offer of a late second-round pick or early third-round pick they would be compelled to make a deal. https://t.co/CeasShz1BG
— Ian O'Connor (@Ian_OConnor) April 7, 2026
The part about the Giants being okay with maintaining a spot on the roster for Thibodeaux was framed around Harbaugh telling O’Connor’s colleague Dan Duggan, during the first day of OTAs on Tuesday, April 7, “I think he’s a great player, I’m excited about him. I was fired up to see him today, he looks great, he’s in great shape, and I’m thinking about him on the field, I’m thinking about getting him plugged into our defense and getting him rolling.”
Those comments sounded more than positive for Thibodeaux’s chances of sticking around. At least until Harbaugh offered this semi-serious refrain: “Is he a trade possibility? Everybody is tradeable, everybody. Even you’re tradable, Dan. If we could get something for you, we’s trade you in a heartbeat, man,” per Giants.com (h/t SNY.tv’s Giants Videos).
Harbaugh leaving the door ajar to trade Thibodeaux makes sense when speculation the fifth-overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft will be dealt has been consistent this offseason. Trading one marquee name on the front seven is something the Giants could handle, but Thibodeaux’s exit would represent a double whammy if he’s joined by a dominant All-Pro who wants out.
Giants Have Reason to Keep Kayvon Thibodeaux
He looks like the odd man out when 16.5-sack Pro Bowler Brian Burns and last year’s third-overall pick Abdul Carter on the edges, but Thibodeaux can still have a future with the Giants. His prospects have been boosted by the arrival of Harbaugh, who saw firsthand what Thibodeaux is capable of back during the outside linebacker’s rookie campaign.
A win over Harbaugh’s Baltimore Ravens in 2022 was sealed by Thibodeaux sacking Lamar Jackson and forcing a fumble the Giants recovered.
This strip-sack showcased Thibodeaux’s potential to be a game-changing disruptor. Unfortunately, he hasn’t made enough splash plays since, although there have been signs of brilliance.
Thibodeaux remains an imposing physical specimen as a 6-foot-5, 258-pounder able to rush from anywhere along the line of scrimmage. He can be a key member of a pass-rush rotation that’s still set to define the Giants defensively, even after Harbaugh named former Ravens defensive backs coach Dennard Wilson as his D-coordinator.
Wilson will need his trio of dynamic edge defenders more if the Giants get an offer they can’t refuse for the big man in the middle.
Trades Can Accelerate Giants Rebuild
The asking price for game-wrecking nose tackle Dexter Lawrence II is likely to involve at least one first-round pick. Pairing an extra first-rounder with either the second- or third-round choice O’Connor envisages being enough to move Thibodeaux, would arm the Giants with enough draft capital to accelerate their rebuild under Harbaugh.
He still needs to fill several holes on the roster. Notably, at guard, center, wide receiver, inside linebacker, safety, cornerback and defensive tackle.
It’s a lengthy list of problems to solve, so Harbaugh and general manager Joe Schoen would surely welcome more means for acquiring talent. Finding the extra ammo, while not strip-mining a defensive front seven that should still be a team strength, is a delicate balancing act.
Striking the right balance may ultimately mean taking the best offer for either Lawrence or Thibodeaux, rather than trading both.