The New York Giants appear more than willing to head into the 2025 season with a three-headed monster of speedy pass rushers roaring off the edge alongside monster defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, as No. 3 overall pick Abdul Carter will be paired with another former top pick in Kayvon Thibodeaux and former Pro Bowler Brian Burns.
However, if Carter is as good as advertised, the Giants may need to part with either Burns or Thibodeaux in the name of financial flexibility. If the Giants want to bring an early end to their hydra of dynamic pass rushers, it might behoove them to possibly take a look at some of the fringe playoff teams in the NFC.
ESPN's Seth Walder believes the Giants need to consider trading Thibodeaux and a fifth-round pick away to the Green Bay Packers in exchange for a 2026 second-round pick. With the Giants likely entering a rebuild around Jaxson Dart, getting a Top 64 pick for a player they might not keep around could be a good bit of business.
ESPN projected Giants will trade Kayvon Thibodeaux to Packers
Thibodeaux has tallied 21 sacks in the last three seasons, but he has taken a step back after hitting 11.5 takedowns in his second season. Thibodeaux is producing well for a player that was taken in the 20s, but the Giants picked him No. 5 overall with the expectation he would quickly evolve into an All-Pro player.
Thibodeaux is still a quality defensive end who can be a reliable starter in the league, though he may need to evolve into a truly elite run defender to fully be worth investing in.
Green Bay, meanwhile, can make up for the fact they didn't attack their thoroughly average pass rush in the NFL Draft by bringing Thibodeaux to town. The Giants might do well to offload him now, as he might not get as many chances to pile up the sacks if he is planted behind Carter and Burns on the depth chart.
Thibodeaux is sure to be a hot trade name, especially if he continues to put up numbers as his snaps are gradually decreased by Carter's emergence. Green Bay needs an upgrade to make it to the Wild Card, and Thibodeaux might be enough to slightly move the needle in their favor.