The 2025 offseason is shaping up to be a defining moment for general manager Joe Schoen and the New York Giants front office. Sure, the draft is coming up. Yes, the quarterback situation is still one big TBD. But there’s another critical deadline looming that could reshape how we look at New York’s 2022 draft class — the fifth-year option decisions for Kayvon Thibodeaux and Evan Neal.
Two top-10 picks. Two players who were supposed to be cornerstones in the trenches. Two very different paths.
With the May 2 deadline approaching fast, Pro Football Focus’ Bradley Locker weighed in on both decisions — and let’s just say there’s not exactly a ton of suspense around one of them.
The Giants are staring at a classic split-decision scenario. Thibodeaux’s future is still up for debate. Neal’s? Not so much.
Kayvon Thibodeaux is trending up, Evan Neal, not so much
Let’s start with the obvious. The Giants would have to be out of their minds to pick up Evan Neal’s fifth-year option at this point. Locker summed it up well:
"Neal has failed to secure even a 50.0 PFF pass-blocking grade in any year or play 470 snaps in 2023 or 2024. Neal’s spot along New York’s offensive line was further obscured after the team added tackles James Hudson III and Stone Forsythe in free agency.”
Neal’s career has been a frustrating mix of injuries, poor technique, and false hope. Out of a possible 51 games, he’s suited up for just 29. At a projected $16.7 million price tag for 2026, picking up his option would be pre-ordering disappointment.
And fifth-year option numbers for first-round picks in 2022 NFL Draft — a list that includes Aidan Hutchinson, Derek Stingley Jr., Sauce Gardner, Kyle Hamilton, Tyler Smith, Tyler Lindenbaum and Jermaine Johnson, among others.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) February 28, 2025
Clubs have until May 2 to exercise the option. pic.twitter.com/YLb3jcszlJ
On the other hand, Thibodeaux is a tougher call. He hasn’t become a Myles Garrett-level game-wrecker, but he’s flashed enough — especially in 2023 — to keep fans and coaches intrigued.
"Thibodeaux may not be an elite edge defender, but he’s still turned into a solid pass rusher. Even in an injury-shortened 2024, Thibodeaux churned out 38 pressures on a 14.2% pass-rush win rate, performing better than in each of his first two years.”
There’s a strong case to keep him around, especially with Azeez Ojulari bolting to Philly. Even with Chauncey Golston in the mix and the possibility of drafting another edge like Abdul Carter, it’s hard to imagine the Giants not locking in Thibodeaux at a projected $14.75 million for 2026. Paul Schwartz of the New York Post even reported that the team is “strongly leaning toward picking up his fifth-year option.”
It makes sense. If this front office is serious about building a bully on defense, Thibodeaux can very well be a big part of that picture.
This is the crossroads for New York’s 2022 draft class. Thibodeaux has shown enough to warrant another year — perhaps a side of extension. Neal, on the other hand, feels like a cautionary tale of banking too hard on traits without enough refinement.
It’s not the outcome fans hoped for when the Giants picked twice in the top seven. But hey, it’s not a total loss. One player’s stock is rising. The other is heading toward the "total bust" label.
And come early May, we’ll see just how this front office feels about their former first-round picks.