The New Orleans Saints are in trade discussions with the New York Giants for formal fifth overall pick Kayvon Thibodeaux. The Saints enter day two of the NFL Draft in need of an edge rusher. Given the team only has Chase Young and Carl Granderson as reliable options, a trade for Thibodeaux would give the team both upside and stability at that position.
The Giants drafted Thibodeaux with the fifth overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. Out of Oregon, draft analysts viewed Thibodeaux as an elite prospect for many years prior to his selection. However, his tenure in New York has been tumultuous.
While he has not been a bad player, injuries and character concerns have precluded Thibodeaux from reaching his potential. In 2023, he produced 11.5 sacks but has failed to breach over 6 sacks in every other year of his career.
Thibodeaux has been a Target for the New Orleans Saints
GettySaints originally reached out about Thibodeaux early in the offseason.
In February, the Saints reached out to the Giants about Thibodeaux, coinciding when other reports released about his availability. Thibodeaux is in a contract year, so it makes sense why the Giants are shopping him around. The Saints took a chance on Chance Young last season in a prove it year, so they have recent success with a player looking to reestablish his value.
With the Giants drafting Arvell Reese with the fifth overall selection in the first round of this year’s NFL Draft, Thibodeaux becomes expendable and seems unlikely to draw a new contract with the New York Giants.
The Giants are looking for at least a day two pick if they are trading Thibodeaux. They can just recoup a day three pick for 2027 from compensatory picks if or when he walks in free agency.
A third round pick is potentially a steep cost for the Saints depending if they can acquire an edge talent early in round two. However, if the Saints view the current options as too much of a risk, taking a chance on Thibodeaux for a third does make some sense for the organization.
Salary Implications Could Complicate the Trade
GettyKayvon Thibodeaux has a steep rookie salary because of his fifth overall draft status.
Thibodeaux is set to earn $14.751 million this season after the Giants accepted his fifth year club option. The Saints currently have a little under $13 million dollars in cap space, so the Giants will need to take on some of the salary in order for this deal to transpire. If the Giants do that, they will ask for better pick compensation.
However, the Saints seem likely to send a third round pick at least for Thibodeaux if the Giants can take on some salary. The likelihood of this trade depends on that and if the Saints fail to find an option early in the second round to help solve their edge rush issue for this upcoming season. With the second round of the NFL Draft set to begin, this is a trade discussion to follow closely.
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