Kayvon Thibodeaux of the New York Giants is on ESPN’s newly-released list of 10 players who could be moved at the 2026 NFL Trade Deadline.
Of course.
Is it even allowed for an NFL writer discussing trade candidates to create a list that does not include Thibodeaux’s name? It certainly does not seem that way.
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Thibodeaux has been the subject of trade speculation since April of 2025, when the Giants made Abdul Carter the No. 3 pick in the NFL Draft. Thibodeaux and Carter are both edge defenders, as is Brian Burns. That gives the Giants three players for two spots, both on the field and under the salary cap.
The thought has long been that Thibodeaux, 25 and able to become a free agent after the 2026 season, is unlikely to get a big-money, long-term deal from the Giants next offseason. Thus, he would opt to look for that in free agency.
ESPN’s Dan Graziano writes:
It feels like he has been on these types of lists forever, but the Giants haven’t traded him yet and still say he’s in their 2026 plans despite drafting Arvell Reese at No. 5. (Reese can play linebacker while the Giants sort out their options at edge rusher.)
Thibodeaux is making $14.751 million this year in the fifth-year option season of his rookie contract. Teams aren’t too keen on the idea of that kind of money for a player whose playing time and production have tailed off since his big 2023 season (11.5 sacks). But if Thibodeaux starts strong and the Giants either aren’t contending or believe they should trade from a strength to fortify a weakness, other teams could take a look at the 25-year-old once there isn’t so much money left on his deal.
I know New England is brought up every time we talk about teams that could be looking for edge rush help, but it does still feel like that’s what it needs. And you know the Giants aren’t trading him to the Cowboys!
Valentine’s View
This is the only remaining scenario under which even discussing trading Thibodeaux makes sense. It doesn’t make sense to trade Thibodeaux now, because 2027 draft capital doesn’t help the 2026 team. Thibodeaux will.
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The Giants said prior to the 2026 NFL Draft that their asking price for the 2022 No. 5 overall pick was a second-round selection.
That stance might need to soften is the Giants do consider moving Thibodeaux at the deadline. The Giants might choose to play the long game, and hope that if Thibodeaux leaves in free agency they can land a 2028 third-round compensatory pick.
If they aren’t contending and believe by November’s trade deadline, though, that Thibodeaux won’t return in 2027, perhaps a third- or fourth-round pick in the 2027 NFL Draft will look better than the possibility of waiting until 2028 for a possible compensatory pick.
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