New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence has dominated rumors since asking for a trade on April 6. The Green Bay Packers are among the many teams that could show interest, given their needs at the position. In a quieter move, however, they could also consider swinging a deal for his teammate.
Specifically, outside linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux is a name to keep in mind, as Wendell Ferreira of A to Z Sports argued.
Set to play this season on a fifth-year option, the former No. 5 overall pick is a strong run defender off the edge. In that department, his 80.7 Pro Football Focus grade ranked seventh out of 115. In 53 career games, Thibodeaux has six forced fumbles and 31 tackles for loss.
Thibodeaux graded out poorly as a pass rusher last season, though he did generate 32 pressures (and had 11.5 sacks in 2023). Still, the Packers could use run-defense reinforcement up front, and they need depth at the edge. In those respects, Thibodeaux profiles as a plausible fit.
Kayvon Thibodeaux could Band-Aid Packers' edge-rushing needs
Even as a pending free agent, Thibodeaux would help secure a questionable rotation. Micah Parsons will begin the year hurt, and the unit lacks depth behind him. The Packers can anticipate a Week 1 crew of Lukas Van Ness, Barryn Sorrell, and Collin Oliver. Don't count on a Day 3 draft pick doing much.
The depth chart needs another established player. Gone are Rashan Gary (for the best) and Kingsley Enagbare (this one hurts). Let's be real. Even accounting for sophomore improvements from Sorrell and Oliver, the 2026 group is a downgrade.
Unless this is the year Van Ness finally breaks out, Thibodeaux would have a real shot to start alongside Parsons. He is a solid player, but not dominant enough to eat up all the snaps and squash opportunities for youngsters like Sorrell. The Packers could evaluate him throughout the year and decide whether to extend him.
His contract presents an interesting situation. Thibodeaux's $14.75 million salary isn't cheap - it's more than the Packers are paying any of their other offseason additions. So, nothing to worry about there.
As a run-stopping edge effectively on a one-year deal, he would also cost less in a trade than a traditional pass rusher with multiple years under contract.
The obvious question, of course, is why the Packers would give up a player or Day 3 draft pick for Thibodeaux when they could sign Cameron Jordan in free agency. Maybe Jordan and other free agents get better offers elsewhere or just aren't interested in coming to Green Bay.
Regardless, Thibodeaux's run defense and age (he's only 25) are elements in his favor. The trade wouldn't make the same headlines as swinging for Lawrence, but, without crushing the future payroll, it could still help the Packers in a number of ways.
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