A majority of NFL pundits expect the Detroit Lions to address either offensive or defensive line in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
If it’s defensive line, the Lions could finally find a long-term edge rusher to pair with All-Pro Aidan Hutchinson.
If the pick is the offensive line, though, Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox has a different potential long-term edge rusher alternative for Detroit — Kayvon Thibodeaux.
On Saturday, Knox proposed the Lions acquire the former No. 5 overall pick from the New York Giants for a conditional 2027 third-round pick.
“The New York Giants aren’t actively shopping pass-rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux, but he still looms as a prime trade candidate. With Brian Burns and 2025 first-round pick Abdul Carter on the roster, Thibodeaux is somewhat expendable,” wrote Knox.
“The Detroit Lions could desperately use a standout edge-rusher to pair with Aidan Hutchinson. If they miss out on one in the draft, offering a conditional 2027 third-rounder that could become a second-round pick in order to get one would be logical.”
The Giants drafted Thibodeaux at No. 5 overall in the 2022 NFL Draft. But aside from one 11.5-sack season, he’s been a relative disappointment.
In four seasons with the Giants, he’s posted 23.5 sacks, 31 tackles for loss, 55 quarterback hits, 13 pass defenses and six forced fumbles.
Thibodeaux’s fifth-year club option on his rookie deal will pay him a $14.751 million base salary in 2026. His salary cap hit will be for the same amount.
Why Lions Could Acquire Giants Edge Rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux
GettyBleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox named Kayvon Thibodeaux a trade target for the Detroit Lions if they can’t land a pass rusher early in the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Lions had dual-threat at edge rusher last season with Al-Quadin Muhammad paired with Hutchinson. Muhammad posted 11 sacks to support Hutchinson’s career-best 14.5.
The 11-sack season was a significant outlier for Muhammad, though, and the team allowed the edge rusher to leave in NFL free agency. Muhammad signed a 1-year, $4 million deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
That has the Lions back in the edge rusher market this offseason.
Pundits floated the Lions as a potential suitor for Trey Hendrickson. They also have been involved in the Maxx Crosby saga. The Lions, though, were never likely to add a very expensive option.
That could make the addition of Thibodeaux unlikely too. Thibodeaux will need a new contract after the 2026 campaign, and he’s probably not going to be very cheap.
But if the Lions could make him a priority to re-sign, Thibodeaux may offer a long-term solution opposite Hutchinson.
The Giants edge rusher has the potential to be a star. He registered an 11.5-sack campaign in 2023. Thibodeaux also had 50 combined tackles with 12 tackles for loss, 16 quarterback hits, four pass defenses and three forced fumbles that season.
He hasn’t been the same player since then. But playing with Hutchinson could rejuvenate his career.
Could the Lions Target an Edge Rusher in the First Round of the 2026 NFL Draft?
GettyBleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox proposed the Detroit Lions acquire edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux to pair with Aidan Hutchinson.
Thibodeaux not having a long-term deal could rule him out as a trade target for the Lions. But there’s another even more likely reason why Detroit won’t pursue the Giants edge rusher.
The Lions could very well target an edge rusher at No. 17 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft.
A lot of NFL mock drafts have predicted Detroit to continue addressing its offensive line. But the Lions dedicated a lot of free agency resources to the line. They didn’t address edge rusher.
The Lions could do that in the first round and then add offensive linemen on Day 2.
It seems like Knox might expect that to happen as well. But he proposed trading for Thibodeaux as an alternative if the Lions can’t get the first-round edge rusher they like.
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