Could the Giants Trade Kayvon Thibodeaux? Why a Deal with the Ravens Makes Sense
As the Giants look to reshape their roster heading into a pivotal 2026 season, one name that continues to surface in trade chatter is Kayvon Thibodeaux. Once considered a foundational piece of New York’s defense, Thibodeaux’s future with the team has become increasingly uncertain-especially after the Giants used the No. 3 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft to select edge rusher Abdul Carter and signed Brian Burns to a long-term deal.
Now, with the roster trending in a new direction, the idea of moving on from Thibodeaux isn’t just a hypothetical. It’s a realistic option that could help the Giants address other pressing needs-most notably on the offensive line and in the secondary.
Why the Giants Might Be Ready to Move On
Let’s start with the numbers. Thibodeaux is entering the final year of his rookie deal and is set to carry a $14.8 million salary in 2026.
While the Giants can afford that figure, the question is whether they should. With Burns locked in and Carter already flashing elite potential as a rookie, Thibodeaux is suddenly the odd man out in a crowded edge rotation.
Injuries didn’t help his case last season. A shoulder issue limited Thibodeaux to just 10 games, and he finished with 2.5 sacks and 10 quarterback knockdowns. For a former top-five pick, that’s not the kind of production that commands a second contract-at least not in New York.
Sure, the Giants could let him play out the year and hope for a compensatory pick in 2027. But with the team likely to be active in free agency, that comp pick might never materialize. Trading Thibodeaux now would give GM Joe Schoen a guaranteed return and free up nearly $15 million in cap space to address more immediate needs.
A Logical Landing Spot: The Baltimore Ravens
Enter the Ravens, a team that’s long valued pass rushers and is currently thin on the edge. Mike Green showed promise as a rookie with 3.5 sacks and 14 QB hits, but no Ravens defender topped five sacks last season. Veterans like Kyle Van Noy and Dre’Mont Jones are free agents, and Odafe Oweh-once a first-round pick in Baltimore-was traded midseason and found success with the Chargers.
The Ravens are clearly in the market for help at the position, and Thibodeaux fits the mold of the kind of player they love to take a calculated swing on: young, talented, and in a contract year. He just turned 25 in December and has already shown flashes of high-end production, including an 11.5-sack season in Year 2.
There’s also a coaching connection worth noting. Jesse Minter, who helped Oweh turn things around in L.A., is now the head coach in Baltimore. If anyone believes they can unlock Thibodeaux’s full potential, it’s Minter.
Yes, cap space is tight in Baltimore, especially with Tyler Linderbaum due for a new deal. But restructuring or extending Lamar Jackson’s contract could open up the kind of financial flexibility needed to absorb Thibodeaux’s salary.
What Could the Giants Get in Return?
The proposed trade idea? A fourth-round pick.
That might not sound like a blockbuster return for a former No. 5 overall pick, but given Thibodeaux’s current trajectory and expiring contract, it’s likely the best the Giants could hope for. A third-rounder would be ideal-especially since the Giants don’t currently have one-but that may be a stretch for a player who hasn’t consistently lived up to his draft billing.
Still, a fourth-rounder provides value, especially in a draft class that’s expected to be deep at edge rusher. It also gives the Giants flexibility to either draft a developmental pass rusher or package picks to move around the board.
What Happens If Thibodeaux Is Traded?
If the Giants do move Thibodeaux, they’ll need to reinforce the edge group behind Burns and Carter. Tomon Fox and Victor Dimukeje are on the roster, but neither has shown enough to be counted on as a primary rotational piece.
There are some intriguing veteran options who could be brought in on team-friendly deals. Jihad Ward, who had a productive year with the Titans under new Giants defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson, is a name to watch. So is Van Noy, who remains a savvy situational rusher even in the later stages of his career.
And then there’s the draft. With a deep crop of edge defenders expected to be available in the middle rounds, the Giants could easily find a high-upside player to develop behind Carter and Burns.
The Bottom Line
Trading Kayvon Thibodeaux might not be the move Giants fans envisioned when he was drafted fifth overall in 2022. But with the team now built around Carter and Burns on the edge, it’s a move that makes sense-both financially and strategically.
The Ravens, meanwhile, would be getting a talented pass rusher with untapped potential, a history of production, and something to prove in a contract year. It’s a classic low-risk, high-reward play for a team that’s never afraid to bet on upside.
For the Giants, it’s about maximizing assets, clearing cap space, and continuing to build a roster that can compete now-not just in the future. If the right offer comes in, don’t be surprised if Thibodeaux finds himself wearing purple and black next season.