The Los Angeles Rams are linked to one of the top young pass rushers in the league ahead of the 2026 season.
The Los Angeles Rams enter the 2026 season with high hopes. The Rams have arguably one of the best and most loaded rosters entering the season and are expected to make major noise.
After falling short last season, the Rams are poised to make a deep run and be the last team standing, especially with the Super Bowl being played right in their backyard. The Rams have a long way to go to get there, and in the meantime, they may need to make a move or two to get them over the top.
One move the Rams have been predicted to make is for New York Giants pass rusher and former No. 5 overall pick Kayvon Thibodeaux. ESPN's Seth Walder predicted the Rams would make a move for Thibodeaux.
Here's how Walder views the predicted trade going down:
Rams get:
- Kayvon Thibodeaux
- 2028 sixth-round pick
Giants get:
- 2028 third-round pick
“This is a rich-get-richer scenario for the Rams, who already have Jared Verse and Byron Young at edge. Both Verse and Young were among the top-35 players in sacks last season (12 and 7.5, respectively),” Walder wrote. “Thibodeaux, who fits with the pair in the sense that he also is a strong run defender, can rotate in with that group. And if he lives up to the upside of his draft status, then Los Angeles would become even more dangerous.”
The Giants selected Thibodeaux with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, but despite entering the league with massive expectations, it’s fair to say he hasn’t fully lived up to them through the first four years of his career.
The former Oregon Duck has flashed intriguing traits and shown at times why he was viewed so highly coming out of college, but the consistent dominance many expected has yet to truly develop.
That said, labeling him a 'bust' would still be unfair. The 25-year-old already has a double-digit sack season under his belt and has proven capable of being an impactful pass rusher when he’s at his best.
If the Rams were to make a move for Thibodeaux, he wouldn’t need to come in and be a “savior” for the defense. Instead, he could thrive in a complementary role and help strengthen an already talented front.
The last thing the Rams need is a superstar edge rusher (although having one wouldn’t hurt). Nonetheless, Los Angeles has a great core on that front led by Jared Verse, Braden Fiske, Byron Young and Kobie Turner. A potential addition of Thibodeaux would take the pass rushing unit and the overall defense to another level.
It’s unclear if Thibodeaux is on the trading block, but if that is the case, don’t be surprised if the Rams make a move for the South Los Angeles native.
