When the New York Giants added Oregon pass rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft, they were looking to add a generational talent. As the season quickly approaches, there is still no indication of how good he will be in Year 1, but the expectations are already through the roof. Thibodeaux has already found himself within the top 10 highest-selling jerseys in the UK too to add to the hype.
After being one of the game’s most elite pass-rushers while at Oregon, the excitement surrounding Thibodeaux makes sense. He has proven on multiple occasions how dangerous he can be, regardless of who he is lined up against.
The Giants will be looking for him to make an instant impact on their defense. If all goes to plan, Thibodeaux winning Defensive Rookie of the Year seems like a legitimate possibility. He is in the perfect situation to make the sort of plays that will put him in the right opportunity to bring the award home.
Here are three reasons why Thibodeaux could win Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2022.
Kaybon Thibodeaux has elite talent
Thibodeaux is highly regarded as one of the most elite prospects that we’ve seen in recent years. His fall to the No. 5 pick left many people confused. He has everything that a team could look for in a modern edge rusher. At 6-3 and 254 pounds, he has the size that teams are looking for. He also has the sort of speed and bend around the edge that makes him stand out.
During his three seasons at Oregon, Thibodeaux played in a total of 30 games. He finished his collegiate career with 126 total tackles, 35.5 tackles for loss and 19 sacks. He finished top four in the Pac-12 in tackles for loss in all three seasons. He also finished in the top five in sacks twice.
Thibodeaux has already become a fan favorite on this Giants team, and he seems to be made for New York. He also seems to be the type of player that thrives off of success. If he can make an impact early in the season, it could lead to him never slowing down. A season full of consistent performances could be all it takes for him to bring home the Defensive Rookie of the Year.