Kayvon Thibodeaux has been discussed as a trade candidate for more than a year, and the New York Giants haven't budged. The former top-ten draft pick is a backup when Big Blue's edge group is healthy, but rather than flipping him for a draft pick, general manager Joe Schoen has decided to lean into the unit as a strength of the team.
It might finally be time to make a move, though. Thibodeaux is currently playing on the fifth-year option, and he hasn't done enough this season to warrant a contract extension. If another team is willing to give up a mid-round draft pick to get him, the Giants shouldn't hesitate. Otherwise, they're losing him for nothing.
As unlikely as it may seem, backup edge rusher Trace Ford should help ease the concerns about a mid-season deal. If he can continue his production, the Giants might not miss Thibodeaux all that badly.
Giants can trade Kayvon Thibodeaux if Trace Ford keeps this up
The two edge defenders couldn't be more different in terms of pedigree. Thibodeaux was the fifth overall pick in his draft, while Ford was an undrafted free agent. Thibodeaux has 57 NFL starts under his belt, while Ford has zero.
To be clear, Ford won't be a one-for-one Thibodeaux replacement. While the current starter has underperformed this season, he still has a much higher ceiling than the player who was on the practice squad a couple of weeks ago.
But assuming the Giants aren't going to sign Thibodeaux to an extension, the only thing keeping them from trading him is their relative lack of depth at the position. Based on Ford's performance in Week 6, he can be the short-term replacement New York needs to feel comfortable moving on from Thibodeaux.
Against the New Orleans Saints, Ford had two run stuffs on just 21 snaps. He flew around the field whenever the Giants put him in the game, creating chaos in the backfield. His performance was a continuation of his preseason showings, when he produced eight pressures, a sack, and eight run stops across three games.
Without Brian Burns, the Giants are thin on the edge. If they traded Thibodeaux away, Ford and Abdul Carter would be their only healthy edge rushers, likely forcing them to sign or promote another. But Thibodeaux hasn't done anything to warrant the fear that the G-Men seem to have of losing him, at least not this season.
If New York sends Thibodeaux to the highest bidder at the deadline, it can at least see what it truly has in Ford.
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