Giants' Thibodeaux Chasing New Heights

When the New York Giants drafted Oregon edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux with the fifth pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, expectations were incredibly high. He was general manager Joe Schoen’s first draft pick in East Rutherford and a building block in the trenches. Many felt he was the best edge rusher, if not the best prospect, in the entire class.

It’s been a rocky three seasons for Thibodeaux, who has spent time being considered overrated, underrated, and now (potentially) out of a starting job.

The perception of Thibodeaux has shifted back and forth, but he has never lost his confidence.

At minicamp, the Giants edge rusher set the expectation for his 2025 sack total.

“More than I ever had,” Thibodeaux told reporters. “Every time I come out on the field, I want to have more sacks than I ever had, more tackles than I ever had and whatever I got to do to help the team. So yeah. I'm still going for the record, I'm going to go for the record every year.”

Thibodeaux set a career-high in sacks with 11.5 in 2023, although it came as a result of good fortune. He vastly exceeded his pass-rush win rates, which ranked among the worst starters in the league through two seasons.

That was his only season in double figures.

“I think I'm a consistent double-digits sack guy and I got to do that,” Thibodeaux said. “It has been three years, going on four now. It has been a lot of ups and downs in my career and as a team, but I think this is a team that can win and I can help that.”

To Thibodeaux’s credit, he made the jump that his prior season’s sacks suggested. Missing time with a wrist injury, he logged only 5.5 sacks. Those aforementioned peripherals, though, skyrocketed, ultimately resembling an above-average starter.

Maintaining that momentum will be key to living up to his draft capital. He’s set to see less playing time in 2025 after the Giants drafted edge rusher Abdul Carter with the No. 3 pick, but more talent on the defensive line makes life easier for the significant playing time his talent, draft capital, and contract ensure he’ll receive.

He may not set a new career-best in the box score. If his gains are real, New York will remain happy with his development as he positions himself for a significant second contract.