Giants Trade To Break Up D-Line Urged As Final Offseason Move

The New York Giants used their No. 3 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft to land premier pass-rushing prospect Abdul Carter from Penn State. Carter rounds out what could be one of the most imposing defensive lines in football alongside Dexter Lawrence, Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux.

That is ... if that foursome is still together by the time Week 1 rolls around.

Thibodeaux has been mentioned in trade rumors for the last couple years, and ESPN believes the Giants should follow through with that idea by trading him to a team in more need of an edge rusher.

The Giants' D-line would still be solid minus their 2022 first-round pick, and draft capital in return could help the team's efforts to acquire more youth on offense for a future featuring rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart and star receiver Malik Nabers.

"Thibodeaux has two years left on his rookie contract, and he'll need an extension after the 2025 season," Aaron Schatz says. "The team won't want to pay him at the going price for starting edge rushers if he's not going to be starting."

New York is stuck in a surplus with three starting-caliber edges but just two spots available. That four-man lineup could be used with Thibodeaux sliding inside to form an athletic NASCAR package, but he's most comfortable as a defensive end.

Schatz believes a team like the Green Bay Packers or Detroit Lions could be willing to exchange a Day 2 draft pick for Thibodeaux and his pass-rushing prowess.

Thibodeaux saw a major drop off in sack totals last year, falling from 11.5 in 2023 to just 5.5 in 2024, however, he did play five less games.

Their play on the field will fully dictate future moves, but as it stands now, the Giants' offense needs more work than the defense. Another reliable pass-catcher to put opposite of Nabers should be the team's top target in future drafts or in a trade this year. A Thibodeaux trade could be the medium in which that gets done.

The defensive line is in an embarrassment of riches situation, and getting rid of Thibodeaux could benefit multiple future plans without sacrificing a major loss in pass-rush depth.