The New York Giants and Detroit Lions have been linked to a significant trade.
The New York Giants do not have a ton of realistic trade candidates on their roster, but there is no question that their most desirable one at the current point in time is edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux.
It would actually be surprising if the Giants didn't entertain a Thibodeaux trade this offseason considering they drafted Abdul Carter last April and already have Brian Burns at the position, as well.
In fact, Carter's 2025 breakout coincided with Thibodeaux missing the final seven games of the season with a shoulder injury, so if that isn't an indication that New York should move Thibodeaux, I don't know what is.
On that note, Mike Payton of A to Z Sports has proposed a trade in which the Giants would send Thibodeaux to the Detroit Lions.
"If I were Brad Holmes, I would 100% make a deal to get Thibodeaux to Detroit for multiple reasons," Payton wrote. "The first is that the Giants are probably open to moving him since they have Brian Burns and Abdul Carter. The other big reason is that you get a year of contractual control over Thibodeaux. He’s playing on his fifth-year option worth a nice little $14 million."
New York Giants edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux. Credit: Danielle Parhizkaran/NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK.From New York's point of view, the deal makes sense to acquire some draft capital. The Giants do not have a third-round draft pick this spring in an offseason where they desperately need to stockpile as much talent as possible for John Harbaugh.
It would be smart for Big Blue to trade from a position of strength to land a Day 2 pick it could use on a position of need.
New York has holes at defensive tackle, cornerback, wide receiver and offensive line, and it will be tough to rectify all of those problems with limited draft assets.
Thibodeaux is a former first-round selection himself, and during his sophomore campaign in 2023, he racked up 50 tackles and 11.5 sacks.
Since then, however, Thibodeaux has played in a grand total of 22 games, amassing just eight sacks over the last two seasons.
The 25-year-old has just one year remaining on his contract and almost certainly won't be re-signed by the Giants after next season, so New York should try and get something for Thibodeaux while it still can.
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