The New York Giants broke up their short-lived Death Star D-line, and they may keep the deals going right through this weekend’s NFL Draft.
ESPN insider Adam Schefter reported the Giants are still shopping EDGE rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux ahead of the draft in Pittsburgh.
The Giants, of course, traded Dexter Lawrence to the Cincinnati Bengals for the No. 10 overall pick Saturday. Lawrence, Thibodeaux, Abdul Carter and Brian Burns made up the Giants’ D-line lineup in 2025, and half of those players could be gone by Monday.
The Giants Are Still Open to Trading Kayvon Thibodeaux
Industry sources considered the Giants trading Lawrence unlikely, yet the three-time Pro Bowl D-lineman was shown the door in a blockbuster deal that netted them two top-10 selections.
Yet, a Thibodeaux trade always seemed like the most likely outcome. Insiders cited sources that said the Giants would accept a third-round pick for the 2022 No. 5 pick, since first-year Giants coach John Harbaugh wasn’t the one who selected him.
So it was no surprise to see Thibodeaux’s name on the list that Schefter dropped of eight players who could be traded at this weekend’s draft in Pittsburgh.
Thibodeaux is coming off his worst season as a pro. He played just 10 games, and had only 2.5 sacks, along with a career worst 25 tackles, 13 solo tackles and two passes defended.
A top-five talent, Thibodeaux could benefit from a change of scenery, especially with a new regime in place in New York. Plus, general manager Joe Schoen, who selected Thibodeaux at the 2022 draft, has been rumored to be on the hot seat and could be let go before the upcoming season.
The Giants May Still Add a D-Lineman Early in This Weekend’s Draft
Lawrence is gone, and the Giants have broken what they hoped could be an elite front four that harkened memories of years past.
So the Giants could be inclined to draft Lawrence’s replacement, though not in the first round.
According to Jordan Reid of ESPN, the Giants could be in the market for Peter Woods, a 6-3, 315-pound prospect from Clemson, with their second-round selection, No. 37 overall.
“Even prior to trading Dexter Lawrence II to Cincinnati, interior defensive line was a clear need for the Giants,” Reid wrote in his most recent mock draft for ESPN.com. “Woods was viewed as a top-15 player entering last season, but every team I’ve talked to sees him as a Day 2 prospect now. He’d bring plenty of explosiveness to the Giants’ interior.”
With Lawrence as one of their highest-paid players, the Giants ranked 31st against the run — only the Bengals were worse. Plus, Lawrence didn’t help the Giants’ pass rush much, since he only had a half-sack, four passes defended and four tackles for loss in what was one of his worst seasons as a pro.
So shedding his $15.3 million cap number, then ridding themselves of the $14-plus million of Thibodeaux’s fifth-year option, could bring substantial cap flexibility for whoever is the next GM. It also could help Harbaugh further install his own culture while weeding out players who don’t want to be here.
Giants Still Working on Dealing D-Lineman Even After Dexter Lawrence Trade