The New York Giants drafted former Oregon Duck Kayvon Thibodeaux fifth in the 2023 NFL draft, seemingly washing away their defensive end worries away for the next decade or so.
At least that was the plan.
However, with the G-Men drafting former Penn State defensive end Abdul Carter with the No. 3 pick in this year’s selection process, it seems as if those plans have changed.
Thibodeaux hasn’t quite lived up to the hype with some injuries and the lack of production when he has been healthy. He’s been good, but No. 5 picks are supposed to be great and unfortunately for him and the Giants, Thibodeaux has been anything but great.
According to an article in USA TODAY by writer Nate Davis, Thibodeaux and his spot on the team might be skating on thin ice with Carter present.
“The No. 5 overall pick three years ago (Thibodeaux) has been OK – 21 sacks in three seasons, though more than half came in the 2023 campaign. And Thibodeaux hasn’t come close to reaching the statistical goals he’s forecast for himself,” Davis said. “The Giants are picking up his $14.8 million option for 2026, but Thibodeaux will need to turn it up if the team is to figure out a way to keep him, two-time Pro Bowler Brian Burns and highly acclaimed pass rusher Abdul Carter, the No. 3 pick of this year’s draft, for the long term.”
Selecting Carter might be the Giants’ way of lighting a fire under Thibodeaux, so he won’t be skating on thin ice after all. With his talent, however, Thibodeaux shouldn’t find it difficult to latch on to one of the other 31 teams should things not work out in The Big Apple.