The Colts should try to land former first round pick Kayvon Thibodeaux from the Giants ahead of trade deadline
The Colts should explore the idea of trading for former Giants first round pick Kayvon Thibodeaux.
The Indianapolis Colts are reportedly looking to make a move ahead of next week’s NFL trade deadline. If they can get something done, the expectation is that it would come on the defense, and more specifically at CB or edge rusher.
Both of those positions could use upgrades, but at least at CB, the team can expect a boost in the coming weeks due to players returning from the IR. That’s not the case at edge, and the Colts need another quick-rep winner that can take pressure off Laiatu Latu.
An option they should consider is Kayvon Thibodeaux from the New York Giants. There has been some mixed reporting on how available he truly is. But if the Giants decide to move Thibodeaux because he is no longer a starter, the Colts would be a solid fit to land him.
I spoke with A to Z Sports Giants beat writer Joe DeLeone about the pass rusher and got his thoughts on a potential trade.
Kayvon Thibodeaux is still making an impact in his new role with the Giants
After a down year in 2024, Thibodeaux has been highly impactful for the Giants’ defense this season. Despite being a part of the rotation he’s in, he’s taken full advantage of defenses needing to account for Burns and Carter.
He’s registered 2.5 sacks with 25 pressures less than halfway through the 2025 season. While he isn’t the Giants’ best pass rusher, he’s still been a high-impact pass rusher for the team.
Why would the Giants consider trading Kayvon Thibodeaux?
The Giants are in a rare situation with too many talented pass rushers. Their defensive identity this season has been overwhelming offensive lines with Thibodeaux, Brian Burns, and Abdul Carter. However, they haven’t effectively used all three players at once due to the team’s struggling run defense, which has allowed a league-worst 5.7 yards per carry.
Ultimately, the Giants need more defensive balance and don’t need to continue with their three-man rotation. Because they have a commodity that many other NFL teams need, it would benefit them to trade Thibodeaux for draft capital in 2026. While, in theory, it was an exciting premise to have so much pass-rush talent, it’s useless when the rest of the defense is underperforming.
Lastly, if any of the Giants’ pass rushers were to be traded, he’s the first one to be moved. They spent multiple draft picks on acquiring Burns, and he’s performed at a DPOY level. It would frustrate the fan base if they moved him during his dominant season.
Why Kayvon Thibodeaux makes sense to be a trade-deadline target for the Colts
If the Colts can’t convince a team with a star edge rusher to move off them ahead of the trade deadline, Thibodeaux should be one of their top options. The former first-round pick already has a season with double-digit sacks in 2023, with 11.5.
As mentioned above, he experienced some regression in 2024. But this year looks rejuvenated, even with his new role as a primary rotational player instead of an every-down starter.
The Colts could give him a starting spot opposite Latu, and that duo could develop into the future of the team’s pass rush and defense. Without hesitation, I’d be willing to give up a 2026 third-rounder for Thibodeaux. Especially with him, who is also under contract for the 2026 season.
How much would it cost for the Giants to trade Kayvon Thibodeaux
A similar trade from 2023 feels like a strong example of what Thibodeaux could be traded for this year. Former DROY and second overall pick Chase Young was moved for a third-round pick midseason from the Washington Commanders to the San Francisco 49ers.
Thibodeaux has been more productive than Young, so there is a strong argument that he should be worth more than that. Considering the Colts will likely have a late pick with their recent success, trading Thibodeaux for their second-round pick would be the most ideal value. The absolute lowest they should take is their 2026 third-round pick.
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