Kayvon Thibodeaux to the New York Giants seems like an unlikely scenario, but Pro Football Focus doesn’t see things the same way. Thibodeaux, of course, has been considered a likely number one overall pick for much of last year. More recently, predictions on who will be the top selection have become more varied. With Aidan Hutchinson and Evan Neal gaining more relevance in the discussion, Thibodeaux being first off the board isn’t guaranteed.
But could the pass rusher fall all the way to the Giants at number five? According to PFF, yes.
Thibodeaux coming off the board at No. 5 might feel like a “fall,” given that he was the consensus No. 1 overall pick just a few months ago. But after learning more about the class, it makes more sense that his range falls between Pick 1 and Pick 5.
He still could very well be the first player taken in the draft, but if he’s not, there’s no guarantee he’s the next name after that. His natural gifts as a pass-rusher make him a top-five lock, but I’ll give some hope to Giants fans because I do think it could play out like this, given the talent at the top of the class and the potential team needs in the top five.
With the Giants being reliant on Azeez Ojulari and Leonard Williams right now for their pass rushing needs, it makes sense to add more depth to the position with a top talent.
It depends, of course, on availability. But with other prospects gaining ground, it isn’t as far fetched as it was before that Thibodeaux could fall this far.
Giants draft Tyler Linderbaum with the seventh pick
Interestingly, this mock draft also has the Giants taking a center higher than the expected range for the position. It’s an unusual pick, but when that center looks like the best interior offensive lineman in this class, you have to consider it. There’s also reason to believe that, based on his history in Buffalo, Joe Schoen would use this pick on upgrading the offensive line.
The Bills have honed in on the trenches in each of their last three drafts — all five of their first and second-round picks since 2019 were spent on either offensive line or defensive line.
Here, they went with a dynamic, high-ceiling pass protector at No. 5, and I bet Schoen is one of those GMs who simply says, “we’re going to draft great football players in the trenches.” Linderbaum is one of them.
With seriously bad O-line play over the past years, it’s hard to argue that the Giants should be picky when it comes to getting new talent for that position group. Even if Linderbaum is a center, taking him at number seven would be a worthwhile selection if it means drafting an offensive line talent that will remain a starter long-term – something the Giants flopped at under Dave Gettleman.
Combine the addition of Linderbaum with free agency and a more experienced Andrew Thomas returning at left tackle, and the line might end up looking a lot better compared to before this offseason.