Kayvon Thibodeaux given promising Rookie of the Year odds

The New York Giants are going all-in on this rookie class, as both Kayvon Thibodeaux and Evan Neal are expected to play featured starting roles from the jump. Of the pair, the former Oregon alum might be the more high-ceiling option after an illustrious college career.

In a draft that saw five straight defensive players be picked within the first five selections, there’s a chance that Thibodeaux ends up as the most disruptive and effective of that quintet during his rookie season. Las Vegas has its eye on Kayvon, and they like what they see.

The folks over at WynnBET have listed Thibodeaux at +550 to win Defensive Rookie of the Year, giving him the second-best odds in the league behind Detroit Lions standout Aidan Hutchinson. The oddsmakers are expecting him to start right away and be an impact player for Brian Daboll’s reinvented defense.

Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton (+800), Packers linebacker Quay Walker (a surprise at +900), and the top two young cornerbacks in the Texans’ Derek Stingley Jr. and the Jets’ Sauce Gardner (+1100) round out the top five. Vegas is clearly bullish on Kayvon’s potential and his ability to rack up the sacks.

New York Giants: Kayvon Thibodeaux has potential

While Thibodeaux was relatively anonymous during his preseason debut against the Patriots, he showed signs of being a promising pass-rusher. A player this young having as wide an array of pass rush moves as he has is extraordinarily uncommon, and it could help him compete for some silverware early in his career.

The Giants might not be a fully realized defense right now. Still, the idea of Thibodeaux playing alongside Leonard Williams and Azeez Ojulari is likely why the oddsmakers are so optimistic about how he will perform as a rookie. It’ll be hard to justify double-teaming Kayvon with that firepower near him.

While he was not a perfect prospect during his time with Oregon, his ability to explode off the snap and shed blocks helped make him a terror at the Pac-12 level. A coach like Wink Martindale should have no trouble turning him into an above-average NFL pass-rusher. The Thibodeaux breakout is coming sooner rather than later.

The Giants may be better than last year, but this is still a young team that will need to prioritize the growth and development of their youngest prospects. Thibodeaux’s performance will be under a microscope this season, but he has the tools needed to excel.

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