[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbx61yex5whq8aq player_id=none image=https://giantswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]
As the New York Giants entered free agency, general manager Joe Schoen was equal parts determined to shed $40 million in cap space and improve the team’s roster depth.
With little money to work with, big splashes were absent during free agency. The Giants added depth along the offensive line, but their only “high-profile” move was the signing of guard Mark Glowinski.
The good news for Schoen & Co is that they had nine picks in the 2022 NFL draft. And those picks eventually became 11 picks over the three-day event, with the very first being used on Oregon edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux.
In the absence of other big-name signing, Bleacher Report’s Alex Kay actually named Thibodeaux the Giants’ most exciting offseason addition.
Standing 6’4″, 254 pounds and possessing high-end speed and athleticism for someone of that size, Thibodeaux is ready to take the NFL by storm. He’s a long-armed, technically sound rusher who already has a variety of tools in his bag and has the potential to add plenty more early in his career.
He has been drawing high praise early in OTAs and should only get better as he gets comfortable.
His position coach, Drew Wilkins, said he received plenty of texts from the rookie on a Saturday night asking for playbook and coaching tips. Wilkins also said Don Martindale, the Giants defensive coordinator, couldn’t create a more perfect edge-rusher “in a lab” for his system than Thibodeaux.
Unfortunately for Thibodeaux, that early burn cooled off a bit after he suffered a leg injury during practice. He’s been in the red jersey and on the bikes since, but that’s likely just a precautionary approach by the Giants.
Follow the Giants Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts