The New York Giants didn't envision that Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese, the top overall prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft class, would fall to them at the No. 5 spot. Given Reese's elite athletic ability, he's too good to pass on, and the Giants decided to stack their front seven by drafting him. With the team already having Brian Burns, Abdul Carter, and Tremaine Edmunds, it felt as though Kayvon Thibodeaux's spot on the roster was gone.
Ahead of Day 2, NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported that the Giants were having talks with the New Orleans Saints about a trade involving Thibodeaux. The defensive end also stirred up the trade rumors with a social media post. Much like on Thursday night, general manager Joe Schoen said they had no plans of trading him, and that he would be part of their plans for the 2026 season.
Well, on Saturday, multiple reports indicated that the Saints have pivoted, instead acquiring Las Vegas Raiders pass rusher Tyree Wilson and a seventh-round pick in exchange for the No. 150 pick in this year's draft.
NFL Network insider Ian Rapoprt revealed that the Saints did speak with the Giants about Thibodeaux "over the last few weeks," but talks ended due to the compensation set by Schoen. Thus, the Saints pivoted to the former 2023 first-round pick.
The #Saints spoke with the #Giants on a potential trade for Kayvon Thibodeaux over the last few weeks, but when NYG held firm on compensation, they moved on to Tyree Wilson, the former first-rounder. https://t.co/iQwPDCwIKt
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 25, 2026
Saints pivot from potential Kayvon Thibodeaux trade to instead acquire Tyree Wilson from Raiders
The Giants obviously had a high asking price for Thibodeaux. Sure, he hasn't exactly lived up to the expectations being the fifth-overall pick, but he is still a solid starting option for the Giants on the defensive line. Given that, the Giants weren't going to just give Thibodeaux up for nothing after drafting Reese. Thus, the Saints' pivot to Wilson, who came at much cheaper price, given that he has underperformed during his time in Las Vegas.
Yes, the Giants do have a surplus of pass rusher and linebackers now with the addition of Thibodeaux. But why not use that as an advantage entering the season? That's what the Giants figure.
It makes more sense to keep Thibodeaux, especially after the Giants traded defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence to the Cincinnati Bengals. The Giants, as of this writing, have yet to fill the void left by him. Given the talent on the front seven, maybe they ca sneak in a player like Thibodeaux on the interior of the defensive line.
Schoen has already said they didn't plan on trading Thibodeaux, and the Saints' trade for Wilson showed just that.
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