Instead of Dexter Lawrence, the Green Bay Packers should be setting their sights on a another NFC East defensive player.
The Green Bay Packers have been tabbed as one of the top potential trade destinations for New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, but actually consummating a deal would be difficult.
The Giants are looking for a first-round pick and more in exchange for Lawrence, and the Packers are without first-rounders in both 2026 and 2027. Plus, Lawrence wants a new contract, one that Green Bay might not want to afford.
But there is another NFC East defensive player the Packers may want to pursue via trade, and he also happens to play for New York: edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux.
Green Bay is very thin on the edge right now. Micah Parsons is recovering from a torn ACL, Rashan Gary was traded and Kingsley Enagbare departed via free agency. That leaves Lukas Van Ness and, well, not much else.
Thibodeaux seems to be a prime candidate for a Giants team that has already paid Brian Burns and also selected Abdul Carter with the third overall pick last April. Thibodeaux is entering the final year of his deal, and New York seems highly unlikely to give him a long-term contract.
New York Giants edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux. Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images.While the Packers might balk at paying Lawrence, Thibodeaux would certainly come cheaper, and he is also three years younger.
The 25-year-old has flashed high-level talent in the NFL, with his best season coming during his sophomore campaign back in 2023 when he racked up 50 tackles, 11.5 sacks and three forced fumbles.
The last couple of years have been rough for Thibodeaux, as he missed 12 games due to injuries between 2024 and 2025 and totaled just eight sacks.
However, the talent is obviously there, and if you put him alongside of a healthy Parsons, he could potentially wreak havoc in Green Bay's pass rush.
Thibodeaux would also not be nearly as costly as Lawrence in terms of draft capital. The Giants seem to be seeking a Day 2 pick in return for the University of Oregon product, so perhaps the Packers could send the 84th selection to New York?
General manager Brian Gutekunst might deem that too steep of a price to pay, especially considering that Green Bay is so short on top-flight draft capital, but ask yourself this: what are the chances of the Packers landing a player better than Thibodeaux in the middle of the third round?
There could absolutely be a match here, and it would be much more feasible than Green Bay somehow swinging a blockbuster trade for Lawrence.
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