Big Blue View
Is everybody underrating Thibodeaux?
Throughout the 2025 offseason, there were suggestions that the New York Giants could look at trading 2022 fifth-overall pick Kayvon Thibodeaux.
Those suggestions were put to bed when the Giants picked up Thibodeaux’s fifth-year option. But even then, Thibodeaux seems considered to be the third wheel in the Giants’ defensive line—or perhaps the fifth wheel after the selections of Abdul Carter and Darius Alexander.
Some consider Thibodeaux to be a “bust”, but the overall consensus among most fans and the media is that he’s merely “fine”. He’s not a liability or a poor player by any means, but he is also not living up to his pedigree as a fifth-overall pick.
So it was predictable that his claim that his goal is still to beat Michael Strahan’s single-season sack record would be met with dismissal.
A fifth overall pick shouldn’t merely be chasing “fine”. The expectations are that a 24-year-old Top 5 pick entering his fourth season should be pushing for a big-money second contract.
The Giants are also counting on Thibodeaux to be a vital part of their defense and to help turn the ship around in 2025. So I decided to dive into his tape to find out if Thibodeaux is better than the box score suggests.
Buckle up, this is gonna be a big one — but it’ll also be worth it.
Thibodeaux has become a very well-rounded, versatile, and disruptive edge defender.
Most of the conversation will be about Thibodeaux’s ability as a pass rusher. He has, however, become quite a good run defender. That’s of particular importance considering run defense is the single biggest weakness in Abdul Carter’s scouting report. As the saying goes, you have to earn the right to rush the passer, and Thibodeaux being a reliable run defender will get — and keep — him on the field.
Thibodeaux has learned how to be disciplined as a run defender, playing with good patience and technique. He understands how to engage with blockers without becoming entangled, which allows him to make plays off of blocks or disengage at will.
He also understands how to position himself and how to leverage the ball back to his teammates when he can’t make a play. Likewise, he plays with a very strong motor and great effort in pursuit.
Thibodeaux has always been an athletic edge defender, with great speed, explosiveness, and agility. We’ve talked a great deal about Abdul Carter’s versatility to play off-ball linebacker and how that could allow defensive coordinator Shane Bowen to get Burns, Thibodeaux, and Carter on the field at the same time. However, Thibodeaux is also capable of dropping into shallow zones and playing in space.
Thibodeaux, lining up as the left edge in a two-point stance, quickly gets good depth in his zone drop. Once in space, he manages to avoid the traffic created by WR Kevin Austin’s in-breaking route to help Micah McFadden bring down Alvin Kamara for just...
