Giants Country

10 Most Indispensable Players: Why No. 10 on Our List is Critical for Giants' Defense

Giants outside linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux is only in Year 2 of his career, but he's already an indispensable part of the Giants' defense.

Patricia Traina

10 Most Indispensable Players: Why No. 10 on Our List is Critical for Giants' Defense
10 Most Indispensable Players: Why No. 10 on Our List is Critical for Giants' Defense /
In this story:

Who are the most indispensable New York Giants players? The Giants Country editorial team took a vote and ranked its top 10, which we are counting down beginning now.

Kayvon Thibodeaux, OLB

Height: 6-foot-5 | Weight: 258 pounds
College: Oregon | NFL Experience: 2 years
Career Stats: 14 games played/14 games started. 49 tackles (33 solo), 6 tackles for loss. 13 quarterback hits, 4.0 sacks. 2 Forced Fumbles/2 Fumble Recoveries

Coming in at No. 10 on our most indispensable New York Giants player list is second-year man Kayvon Thibodeaux. Drafted fifth overall last year, the Los Angeles native came to New York with high expectations.

Unfortunately, a preseason knee injury brought his progress to a screeching halt. While he eventually recovered from that injury and recorded a solid rookie season, in the team's first eight games, two of which he was inactive while recovering from the knee sprain, Thibodeaux only managed one sack, 14 tackles, and three quarterback hits.

Once he was healthy, the game started slowing down for him. Even when Thibodeaux wasn't making plays by himself, he was setting up his teammates t make plays around him by penetrating the backfield and forcing quarterbacks to scramble away from him and into the waiting arms of a nearby teammate.

With a solid off-season in which he's focused strictly on preparing for the season rather than being tested at the combine, big things are expected from Thibodeaux in Year 2, not just by the team but from the player himself.

"Getting sacks, finishing--there were a lot of times when I had a good pass rush that I didn't finish," Thibodeaux said when asked where he wanted to improve in Year 2. "You realize the guy on the other side of the line is paid a lot of money. They're not going to let him get touched. Continuing to sharpen the end of my rush, that third phase, and make sure I start to finish."

Dec 4, 2022; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) celebrates a sack during overtime against the Washington Commanders at MetLife Stadium / Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Why He’s Indispensable

A look at Thibodeaux's snap count--over 80 percent on average in the regular season and over 90 percent in the postseason--speaks to how he was the only healthy outside linebacker who could properly defend the run and attacking the pocket consistently on passing downs.

Although his numbers don't show how much of an impact he had on the defense, his constant sowing of power, technique, athleticism, and closing speed made him a handful for opponents to deal with, which meant that while Thibodeaux was drawing extra attention, that freed up opportunities for others to step in and make plays.

Look no further than what is, so far, the best game of his young career, that being the second meeting last year against the Commanders, where he recorded a strip sack/recovery/touchdown and twelve total tackles while also making a handful of little plays that provided opportunities for his teammates.

Overall, Thibodeaux delivered weekly hustle, awareness, hustle, and a willingness to get his nose dirty.

What Happens if He’s Missing?

Great question, and one that doesn't appear to have a clear answer right now. As of this writing, the Giants have two legitimate pass rushers at outside linebacker in Thibodeaux and Azeez Ojulari. When both are on the field, opponents have to pick their poison as to whom they will double up.

But take one of them away, and who's the third guy capable of giving them some decent pass-rushing snaps? Jihad Ward? Elerson Smith, Oshane Ximines? Someone who still isn't on the roster?

Final Thoughts

Thibodeaux might have a larger-than-life personality that some might find off-putting, but if you listen to what he's saying, the young man is highly intelligent and in touch with reality.

He's matured quite a bit from what we remember last year, as he seems to have a plan to become the type of player he knows he can be. Former Giants great and Hall of Fame defensive end Michael Strahan believes in Thibodeaux, recently offering him some very high praise. 

If Thibodeaux's hard work pays off on the field, the Giants will be able to boast of having homegrown pass rushers for the first time since they moved on from defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul. 

 

Published
Patricia Traina
PATRICIA TRAINA

Patricia Traina has covered the New York Giants for 30+ seasons, and her work has appeared in multiple media outlets, including The Athletic, Forbes, Bleacher Report, and the Sports Illustrated media group. As a credentialed New York Giants press corps member, Patricia has also covered five Super Bowls (three featuring the Giants), the annual NFL draft, and the NFL Scouting Combine. She is the author of The Big 50: The Men and Moments that Made the New York Giants. In addition to her work with New York Giants On SI, Patricia hosts the Locked On Giants podcast. Patricia is also a member of the Pro Football Writers of America and the Football Writers Association of America.

Home/Big Blue+