The New York Giants almost have to make this trade now.
By winning their final two games of the season, the New York Giants likely destroyed any chance they had of trading down and reaping a haul of picks in the NFL Draft.
The Giants went from having the No. `1 overall selection two weeks ago to finishing fifth in the draft order, which rules out a team trading up with New York in order to land a quarterback.
Yes, the Giants could still trade down in theory, but they certainly aren't going to land the same type of haul they would have had they ended up with the No. 1 or 2 overall pick.
So, now what? New York has a plethora of holes to fill on its roster, and it doesn't even have a third-round draft choice.
Well, the Giants could make a rather obvious-looking move that may hurt, but will benefit them in the long run: trade Kayvon Thibodeaux.
A former first-round draft choice himself, Thibodeaux has really only had one very good year in four seasons with Big Blue, which came in 2023 when he racked up 50 tackles and 11.5 sacks.
Otherwise, Thibodeaux has largely been hampered by injuries, and he missed the final seven games of 2025 due to a shoulder issue.
Not only that, but the Giants' decision to select Abdul Carter third overall last April basically placed the writing on the wall for Thibodeaux, who, while talented, is now probably the third-best edge rusher on his own team behind Brian Burns and Carter.
New York Giants edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux. Credit: Julian Leshay Guadalupe/NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.New York signed Burns to a five-year, $141 million contract in March 2024, so he isn't going anywhere. Especially not after racking up 67 tackles, 16.5 sacks and 31 quarterback hits this season. And for as much as Carter labored throughout the first half his rookie campaign, he came on very strong toward the end.
We've been through this before: the Giants aren't paying three edge rushers long term. Burns already got his money, and Carter is sure to get his. Thibodeaux has just one year remaining on his deal, so New York may as well trade him now before losing him for nothing next offseason.
And you know what? Thibodeaux could probably fetch the Giants a Day 2 pick. His value is certainly a bit down from last year when Big Blue may have been able to bag a second-rounder for him, but there are almost surely still teams out there who would part with a third-round pick in exchange for the 25-year-old, who managed just 2.5 sacks in 10 games this year.
Acquiring a third-rounder would give New York much more flexibility to fill its needs in the draft. The Giants have pressing needs at defensive tackle, cornerback, offensive line and, if Wan'Dale Robinson walks, wide receiver.
Considering how deep this class is at receiver, New York could fill some defensive needs in Rounds 1 and 2 and then circle back around to select a pass-catcher in Round 3.
That could be made possible by trading Thibodeaux, which almost feels like an inevitability at some point between now and next season's trade dealine.
Might as well do it now, right?