In the 2022 NFL Draft, the Detroit Lions had the second overall pick, and with several top-tier edge rushers available, including Aidan Hutchinson, Travon Walker, and Kayvon Thibodeaux, they knew they had a prime opportunity to improve their pass rush. After Walker was selected first overall, the Lions chose Hutchinson, a decision that has worked out well for them, as Hutchinson has quickly become one of the NFL’s top edge rushers.
Now, according to Pro Football Focus’ Mason Cameron, the Lions could strengthen their defense even further by trading for another edge rusher from that draft class—Thibodeaux, who was picked fifth overall by the New York Giants. Although Thibodeaux’s career has been a bit inconsistent, with just four sacks in his rookie year, he showed significant improvement in his second season with 11.5 sacks and 50 total tackles. However, his third season was a step backward, as he recorded only six sacks and 38 total pressures, ranking 42nd and 47th among edge rushers, respectively.
Cameron previously suggested the Lions target Thibodeaux’s former teammate, Azeez Ojulari, in free agency, but Ojulari has since joined the Eagles. Now, Thibodeaux appears to be the next logical option. While a trade for him would likely be costly, his potential upside makes him an appealing target. With the Lions needing to bolster their pass rush and few promising edge rushers available in the upcoming draft, trading for Thibodeaux could be an effective solution to complement Hutchinson and strengthen their defense for the 2025 season.
