Giants’ plan for Kayvon Thibodeaux is revealed after Arvell Reese pick

The New York Giants apparently view Kayvon Thibodeaux and Arvell Reese as a dynamic duo of sorts.

New York decided to select the former Ohio State star edge rusher Reese at No. 5 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft on Wednesday. The Giants benefited from Reese surprisingly being passed on by some of the teams ahead of them.

Immediately after the Reese pick, Adam Schefter of ESPN revealed New York’s plan for their current defensive end Thibodeaux. Schefter reports that the Giants do not intend to trade Thibodeaux, even after their selection of Reese.

Reese, 20, is actually officially listed as a linebacker. He can play at a number of different positions in the field, and Ian Rapoport of NFL Network even reports that the Giants will have the option of playing Reese at ILB.

Meanwhile, Thibodeaux, 25, was the Giants No. 5 overall pick himself back in the 2022 NFL Draft. He has largely failed to live up to expectations since then however and recorded just 2.5 sacks and 25 combined tackles over 10 total appearances for New York last season.

The Giants also selected another front-seven standout in last year’s draft, taking linebacker Abdul Carter at No. 3 overall. While there was indeed talk earlier this offseason that Thibodeaux could be dealt, it looks like he is safe in New York for now, namely after fellow defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence already got traded earlier this month.