New York Giants linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) strikes by pregame warmups earlier than going through the Minnesota Vikings on Sep. 8, 2024, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford. The previous first-round decide ready for an NFC matchup whereas working by early-season routines forward of Minnesota’s go to to New Jersey that afternoon at residence. Obligatory Credit score: John Jones-Imagn Pictures.
The Minnesota Vikings don’t have their ordinary degree of outdoor linebacker depth this summer time, because of a commerce that despatched Jonathan Greenard to the Philadelphia Eagles in April. The membership has in-house choices to advertise depth and might even discover free company for a veteran like Jadeveon Clowney or Leonard Floyd. However what a couple of commerce? New York Giants move rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux is believed to be on the commerce block.
It’s price questioning what he may cost in a commerce and whether or not the Vikings ought to inquire.
Thibodeaux’s Upside Would possibly Match Brian Flores’s Protection
New York Giants linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux prices out of the tunnel with teammates behind him, bringing vitality earlier than a divisional primetime matchup on Oct. 9, 2025, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, because the Giants ready to face the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday Evening Soccer. Obligatory Credit score: Julian Leshay Guadalupe/NorthJersey.com-USA TODAY NETWORK by way of Imagn Pictures.
Thibodeaux on the Block?
ESPN’s Dan Graziano named Thibodeaux as a commerce candidate earlier this month and defined, “Thibodeaux is making $14.751 million this year in the fifth-year option season of his rookie contract. Teams aren’t too keen on the idea of that kind of money for a player whose playing time and production have tailed off since his big 2023 season (11.5 sacks).”
“But if Thibodeaux starts strong and the Giants either aren’t contending or believe they should trade from a strength to fortify a weakness, other teams could take a look at the 25-year-old once there isn’t so much money left on his deal. Thibodeaux is making $14.751 million this year in the fifth-year option season of his rookie contract.”
Thibodeaux will hit free company in eight months if the Giants don’t commerce or lengthen him.
Graziano continued, “Teams aren’t too keen on the idea of that kind of money for a player whose playing time and production have tailed off since his big 2023 season (11.5 sacks).”
“But if Thibodeaux starts strong and the Giants either aren’t contending or believe they should trade from a strength to fortify a weakness, other teams could take a look at the 25-year-old once there isn’t so much money left on his deal.”
The Profession Manufacturing
Thibodeaux’s NFL profession has been a blended bag, exhibiting flashes of brilliance alongside inconsistencies, making him an intriguing prospect if the acquisition value is affordable. In his 4 seasons with the Giants, he began 53 video games, accumulating 23.5 sacks, 152 tackles, 26 tackles for loss, 55 quarterback hits, and three pressured fumbles.
He even completed fourth within the AP Defensive Rookie of the Yr voting, showcasing his respectable NFL expertise.
Nevertheless, his pass-rush efficiency hasn’t constantly reached famous person ranges. Whereas he had a powerful 2023 season with 11.5 sacks and 35 pressures, his sack manufacturing declined considerably to five.5 in 2024 and a couple of.5 in 2025. Professional Soccer Focus corroborates the evaluation, noting his intensive taking part in time, occasional standout pass-rush performs, and improved run protection, but in addition highlighting his struggles with tackling. In 2025, his run-defense grade soared to 80.7, but his tackling grade was a dismal 27.9, coupled with a 29% missed-tackle fee.
Total, Thibodeaux is a younger, skilled participant with the bodily instruments to make an impression. The Vikings could be buying a participant with candy potential, reasonably than a longtime famous person. That sounds perfect for the 2026 OLB3 job — if the value is true.
NYG Rejecting a 4th-Rounder; Might a Third-Spherical Choose Do the Trick?
It appears Thibodeaux is legitimately on the commerce block — however the Giants wish to get one thing notable for his providers.
NFL author Sam Robinson wrote in Might, “It’s definitely potential extra time for Reese as a conventional move rusher opens up by way of a Kayvon Thibodeaux commerce. Shifting Thibodeaux has come up on just a few events this offseason, together with on draft weekend. The Giants rejected a Saints fourth-round provide for Thibodeaux, holding out for a second-rounder.“
“Big Blue is believed to value Thibodeaux ‘significantly higher’ than the rest of the league right now, according to ESPN.com’s Jordan Raanan, who adds the fifth-year edge defender has impressed the new Giants coaching staff.”
New York Giants exterior linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux goes by pregame warm-ups at MetLife Stadium, persevering with his rookie-season buildup as certainly one of New York’s most watched younger defenders on Sept. 26, 2022, in East Rutherford, New Jersey, after arriving from Oregon as a extremely touted first-round decide with main pass-rushing expectations. Obligatory Credit score: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports activities.
If New York turned down a 4th-Rounder, Thibodeaux’s eventual ultimate worth must be a Third-Rounder. No workforce will spend a 2nd-Rounder on him, particularly a decide from the upcoming 2027 NFL Draft, which is on faucet to be stuffed to the gills with expertise.
Vikings followers, and possibly even new normal supervisor Nolan Teasley, should ask whether or not Thibodeaux for a Third-Rounder is price it. Apparently, Minnesota has a “leftover” Third-Rounder subsequent 12 months from the fruit of the Greenard commerce. The Vikings may mainly commerce for Thibodeaux, making the ultimate deal Greenard for Thibodeaux and rookie security Jakobe Thomas.
In any other case: Golday, Ingram-Dawkins, Richter, Batty, or Free Agent
If Minnesota has little interest in Thibodeaux, it has in-house choices for the OLB3 function behind Andrew Van Ginkel and Dallas Turner. It may host a coaching camp battle between three unsung, backup move rushers: Bo Richter, Tyler Batty, and Kam’Ron Stewart. One other EDGE, Chaz Chambliss, may even issue into this competitors.
Or the Vikings may absolutely convert second-year defensive deal with Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins to OLB. The membership has hinted at that consequence this month.
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Bo Richter reacts after recovering a fumble throughout second-half motion in opposition to the Chicago Bears, making a well timed defensive second for Minnesota on Nov. 24, 2024, at Soldier Subject in Chicago, Illinois, because the Vikings labored by a troublesome NFC North street matchup late within the common season push. Obligatory Credit score: Mike Dinovo-Imagn Pictures.
The Vikings additionally drafted Cincinnati linebacker Jake Golday in April. He could also be prime for hybrid ILB-OLB obligation like his new teammate, Van Ginkel.
In any other case, the free-agent market presents the aforementioned Clowney and Floyd, amongst others.
Thibodeaux will flip 26 in December.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … Extra about Dustin Baker
