NFL executives predict if Giants will trade Kayvon Thibodeaux before or during 2026 draft

The New York Giants seemingly won't be in any rush to part ways with Dexter Lawrence II this spring, even though the defensive tackle recently went public with a trade request.

However, some members of the NFL community believe that Giants head coach John Harbaugh may view pass-rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux as surplus to requirements. For a piece published on Friday, NFL insider Jason La Canfora of SportsBoom US spoke with multiple executives who believe the Giants could trade Thibodeaux either before or during the 2026 NFL Draft. 

What might Giants accept in return for Kayvon Thibodeaux?

"I think Thibodeaux is gone if they can get a (third-round pick) for him," one executive said about the Giants while chatting with La Canfora. "That’s a guess, but it’s a deep edge class… If I were the Giants in Year One of a new program, I would be tempted to move both players (Lawrence and Thibodeaux) in separate deals for a one (or the equivalent of a first-round pick on the trade chart), two threes and a useful player or two, and save roughly $28M in cap room this year and next year, and about $35M and $21M in cash." 

Specifically, some think the Green Bay Packers could attempt to land Lawrence. 

Thibodeaux is in a contract year, hasn't lived up to the expectations analysts had for him when the Giants made him the fifth overall pick of the 2022 draft and has essentially been replaced by veteran Brian Burns and 2025 first-round draft pick Abdul Carter. Burns signed a five-year, $141M contract in March 2024, and he isn't going anywhere after he tallied the second-most sacks in the NFL (16.5) this past season. 

How 2026 draft plays out could impact whether John Harbaugh decides to move on from Kayvon Thibodeaux

"If he likes what’s still on the board after Day Two (round three), maybe he just takes a four (fourth-round pick)," an executive added about when Harbaugh could decide to move on from Thibodeaux. "[Harbaugh is] not the guy who took Thibodeaux at five, remember." 

As La Canfora noted, the Giants could acquire a pass-rusher who would be on an inexpensive rookie contract at some point during the second day of the draft. Doing so could make it easier for Harbaugh to give up on a player he hasn't yet coached during a meaningful game.