New York Giants' hot take has the franchise trading away two former first-rounders before the 2025 NFL season trade deadline
New York Giants owner John Mara's finger is hovering exactly one inch above a big red button that says "START FULL REBUILD" going into the 2025 NFL season. He said it himself in January when he told reporters his patience was running thin after the franchise confirmed it was rolling with head coach Brian Daboll and […]
New York Giants owner John Mara's finger is hovering exactly one inch above a big red button that says "START FULL REBUILD" going into the 2025 NFL season.
He said it himself in January when he told reporters his patience was running thin after the franchise confirmed it was rolling with head coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen for one more year.
But if things go south for the Giants early on—who are one of three teams favored to wind up with the No. 1 overall pick—the rebuild could impact big-name players on the roster before the season is over.
Evan Neal, Kayvon Thibodeaux predicted to be dealt away by Giants before the trade deadline
In a "hot take" series put together by my colleagues Destin Adams and Kyle Crabbs, they're releasing one hot take per each of the 32 NFL teams. For the Giants, Adams has the franchise trading the two former first-round picks.
Thibodeaux has been on the league's trade watch since the Giants landed Abdul Carter in the 2025 NFL Draft as it's unlikely they'll strike a long-term deal with the experienced pass rusher.
"With them investing a large contract in Brian Burns and the third overall pick in Carter, (Thibodeaux) has an uphill battle ahead," Adams wrote in the article. "And if he indeed ends training camp outside of their starting lineup, I could see him requesting a trade out of New York."
As for Neal, Adams had this to say: "If he isn't able to beat out veteran Greg Van Roten and 2025 rookie Marcus Mbow, I could see the Giants trying to get something for Neal by trading him ahead of roster cut down day."
Will the hot take come true?
As part of the exercise, Crabbs is supposed to buy or sell the hot take. For this one, he claimed to be out, citing that it's worth it to find out if Neal can start inside and be successful while adding too many pass rushers is never a problem.
As for Thibodeaux, there's no such thing as too many good pass rushers. With this being a high-pressure season for New York, I would be floored to see them move the former top-10 overall draft pick in 2025. This team needs to win.
– K. Crabbs
I must say, I will side with Crabbs on this one, particularly on the Thibodeaux front. It's true Thibodeaux's role is likely going to take a hit and there might be some friction between the sides. But the Giants did exercise the pass rusher's fifth-year option and I'm not sure they'll get enough return to warrant dealing him away just yet.
The Giants defense is shaping up to be a good one and if Mara does hit the rebuild button, having Thibodeaux around to try to put a solid team for Jaxson Dart or another rookie quarterback in 2026 isn't a bold idea. As for Schoen and Daboll, the incentive is to win now with their jobs on the line.
I would expect Thibodeaux to be a major trade candidate then but right now we might be a year early. It's also telling such a trade hasn't happened so far.