The New England Patriots have been a team frequently mentioned in the conversations this offseason around edge rushers that could be traded. They were linked to Myles Garrett before his new contract with the Cleveland Browns, as well as Maxx Crosby before he signed a new contract with the Las Vegas Raiders. The Patriots have a clear need at the edge rusher spot that they need to solve for 2025.
New England could look toward the draft as they have the possibility to draft Abdul Carter, yet they could also see Travis Hunter slide to fourth overall as well. If that is the case, New England will have a tough decision to make. To ensure they can take Hunter, while also solidifying their edge position, they could look to trade for their edge rusher of the future before draft night.
New England Patriots Trade for Kayvon Thibodeaux
The New York Giants have also been heavily linked to Abdul Carter, and if they draft him third overall, it pushes Kayvon Thibodeaux down the depth chart. With adding Carter, Thibodeaux would be competing for time with him, and Brian Burns who the Giants paid a $141,000,000 contract to last season. Burns is solidified as a starter with that amount, and with Thibodeaux entering a contract year, the Giants could look to trade him before he leaves in free agency for no return value.
Kayvon Thibodeaux Stats
Over the three years that Kayvon Thibodeaux has been in the NFL so far, he has played 2,433 snaps and accumulated 126 pressures, 23 sacks, and 78 stops. The 2023 season was Thibodeaux’s most productive year with 13 sacks, yet he took a step back last season with just six. His decrease in usage could’ve played a role in this as the Giants got Azeez Ojulari more involved along with the addition of Brian Burns, causing Thibodeaux’s snaps to drop from 981 in 2023, to 593 in 2024.
Kayvon Thibodeaux Fixes the New England Patriots Pass Rush
While Kayvon Thibodeaux may not have fit on the New York Giants’ defense, he would undoubtedly find a way to make an impact for the Patriots’ defensive line. With a new defensive-minded head coach in Mike Vrabel, Thibodeaux would enter a situation that would get the best out of his skill set.
For the Patriots’ defense that had the third-fewest pressures last season with 104, and the lowest number of sacks with just 28, Thibodeaux would be a great addition off the edge with his quickness, and active hands to generate pressure. Thibodeaux being just 24 years old as well would give them a player that has NFL experience at a young age to build around as well.
