2025 seems to be a critical year for edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux. Even though the New York Giants picked up his fifth-year option this offseason, there was some uncertainty on where the former fifth overall pick could fit on this defense this year with the addition of Abdul Carter.
Thibodeaux is also hoping for a major bounce-back season this year after missing over a month during the 2024 campaign when he injured his wrist, which required surgery. Even though the G-Men haven’t quite seen Thibodeaux at his absolute best yet, his fifth year in the NFL could finally be the season he emerges as a star on New York’s already elite defensive front.
Pro Football Focus predicts Thibodeaux will be most improved edge rusher in the NFL
In an article for Pro Football Focus, Thomas Valentine predicted Thibodeaux will be the most improved edge rusher in the NFL heading into 2025.
"Thibodeaux hasn’t quite hit the heights you’d expect from a top-five pick, earning a 68.7 grade in his first three seasons in the NFL – 68th among all edge rushers – but he impressed at times in 2024, generating 38 total pressures and six sacks in just 12 games," Valentine wrote. "That didn’t stop the Giants from drafting Abdul Carter with the No. 3 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, and Carter will likely enter the season starting ahead of Thibodeaux, along with Brian Burns. That could be damaging, but it could also serve as a fresh opportunity for the former Oregon Duck.
"The snap reduction, if anything, means Thibodeaux will be fresher and hopefully more liable to be a difference-maker when he’s on the field. From Weeks 13-18, Thibodeaux earned a 79.2 pass-rushing grade, 13th among edge rushers in the NFL, generating 21 pressures and 11 stops in that time. Ending the season on a high, playing some of the best football of his career, only serves as a positive for Thibodeaux."
Thibodeaux has yet to deliver a signature year in the NFL since being drafted by Big Blue in the 2022 NFL Draft. The former Oregon Duck has battled multiple injuries during his time with the Giants and has only recorded one 10-plus sack season — an 11.5-sack campaign in 2023.
But as Valentine alluded to, a snap reduction for Thibodeaux this season—thanks to the addition of Carter—could ultimately be a good thing. It might not only take pressure off him, but also allow the elite edge rusher to focus more on his game and, more importantly, stay healthy for a full regular season.
If Kayvon Thibodeaux is ever going to have his breakout year in the NFL, 2025 feels like the time.