After trading or defensive tackle Ruke Orhorhoro, the pass rush appeared to be the most pressing need for the Jacksonville Jaguars. However, they prioritized other roster voids, and it wasn't until Round 4 that they took Wesley Williams. Although they later added another pass rusher in Zach Durfee, the Jags could still add further reinforcements to the rotation behind Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker.
While Jacksonville could set its sights on free agent pass rusher Cam Jordan, general manager James Gladstone could also give the New York Giants a call to inquire about Kayvon Thibodeaux.
The Jaguars need to call the NY Giants about Kayvon Thibodeaux
Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report put together an offseason trade board and included Kayvon Thibodeaux, arguing that the arrival of Arvell Reese, along with the presence of Brian Burns and Abdul Carter, could make him expendable. Couple that with the fact that the new regime with the New York Giants already shipped Dexter Lawrence to the Cincinnati Bengals, and the 2022 first-round pick could change uniforms next season.
"The Giants traded for Brian Burns in 2024, used a 2025 first-round pick on Abdul Carter, and just used the fifth overall selection on Ohio State's Arvell Reese," Knox wrote. "While New York could use Reese as an off-linebacker this season and move him to the edge after Thibodeaux departs in 2027, moving Thibodeaux now would make more sense."
Knox continued, "For one, the Giants would actually get something in return for a player they took fifth overall. Secondly, they could save $14.8 million by moving him. Lastly, trading Thibodeaux would allow Reese to begin developing on the edge immediately."
Coincidentally, the Jags happen to have two fourth-round selections in 2027, their own, and they're projected to get a compensatory one after letting linebacker Devin Lloyd bolt for the Carolina Panthers in free agency.
But why exactly would Jackosnville want to acquire Thibodeaux? Well...
Kayvon Thibodeaux would turbocharge the Jaguars pass rush
The Jaguars made it clear that Travon Walker is part of their long-term plans when they signed him to a four-year deal worth $110 million. With Josh Hines-Allen on the opposite side of the line of scrimmage, the Jaguars have a pair of bookend pass rushers. However, they needed to bolster the rotation behind them, so they drafted Wesley Williams and Zach Kerfee in Rounds 4 and 7, respectively.
That said, Williams and Kerfee may need time to get acclimated to the NFL and may not be able to make an impact right out of the gate. Granted, sophomores Danny Striggow and B.J. Green II are also in the mix. Both of them flashed potential last year, but they still have to make strides before either one becomes a steady contributor. This is where Thibodeaux comes in.
The former Oregon Duck has shown big-play capability, logging 11.5 sacks in 2023. However, he's left a bit to be desired at times, which is why the G-Men traded for Brian Burns and later drafted Arvell Reese.
Perhaps Thibodeaux could benefit from a change of scenery, and he could get it in Duval. Sure, he could turn out to be a one-year rental, but general manager James Gladstone showed that he's not afraid to take on players with soon-to-expire contracts when he sent a fourth and a sixth to the Las Vegas Raiders in return for Jakobi Meyers. He could pull it off again. Heck, he said that he could use the compensatory picks the Jags are expected to make on future deals.
When you add it all up, the Jaguars could turn out to be a landing spot for Thibodeaux, even if they haven't been previously connected.
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