49ers linked to former top-5 selection in blockbuster trade scenario that could bring San Francisco over the top
The 49ers need help on defense, and there could be one trade that would help bring them over the top if they can pull it off.
The San Francisco 49ers have always done their best work when they can rush the pass with a plethora of options. Despite the loss of Nick Bosa and rookie Mykel Williams to knee injuries in 2025, the 49ers somehow found a way to scratch and claw their way to victory and a playoff appearance.
But what has gone from a strength in San Francisco over the years, could very well turn out to be a weakness for the 49ers. If both Bosa and Williams aren’t ready for the season, (and even if they are), that pass rush unit has some major holes. So why not trade for a former blue-chip prospect to help mend the gap?
49ers linked to Kayvon Thibodeaux in trade
“With veteran Brian Burns, second-year pro Abdul Carter and now rookie Arvell Reese on the roster, there has been talk for some time that New York Giants edge-rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux could be traded.”
“There were reports during the draft that the New Orleans Saints were interested in Thibodeaux, but trade talks fell apart when the Giants refused to move the fifth-year veteran for less than a second-round pick. That may seem a steep price for a player who missed seven games and had a career-low 2.5 sacks last year, but Thibodeaux logged 11.5 sacks in 2023.”
“The San Francisco 49ers are a Super Bowl contender with a pair of edge-rushers returning from ACL tears in Nick Bosa and Mykel Williams. If either experiences a setback this summer, that second-round pick might become a lot more palatable for a team in win-now mode playing in arguably the toughest division in the NFL.” – Gary Davenport, Bleacher Report
Kayvon Thibodeaux Facts
- Born in Thousand Oaks, California.
- 5th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
- Played college football at Oregon.
Should the 49ers actually consider trading for Kayvon Thibodeaux?
In the scenario that Davenport posts, the 49ers would part ways with a second-round pick in the 2027 NFL Draft in exchange for a 25-year-old pass rusher who is coming off his best year in the league and largely viewed as an ascending talent.
The fact that he’s a California native and could fill a need for San Francisco only helps things. The odds of finding a talent similar to Thibodeaux in the second round of next year’s draft are not very high. And it obviously doesn’t help you win a Super Bowl in 2026. It’s a move John Lynch and the 49ers should strongly consider.