With the fifth overall pick of the 2022 NFL NFL Draft, the New York Giants selected Oregon DE Kayvon Thibodeaux. What will Thibodeaux’s rookie contract look like, and where does he project into the Giants’ current depth chart?
Kayvon Thibodeaux drafted fifth overall by the New York Giants
Thibodeaux achieved a long list of accomplishments in 2021. He was a finalist for the Chuck Bednarik, Ted Hendricks, and Bronco Nagurski awards. He was a first-team All-PAC-12 selection in both 2020 and 2021 and a first-team All-American selection in 2021. The last defensive player selected in the first round out of Oregon was DT Deforest Buckner by the San Francisco 49ers in 2016.
Oregon has now had a player selected in the top 10 in three consecutive drafts – Penei Sewell in 2021 and Justin Herbert in 2020.
Thibodeaux’s projected rookie contract
Because Thibodeaux was the fifth overall selection in the 2022 NFL Draft, this is what his projected rookie contract should look like. Contract numbers are from Over the Cap.
- Total Value: $36.2 million
- Signing Bonus: $23.5 million
- 2022 Base Salary: $705,000
- 2022 Cap Number: $6.6 million
Thibodeaux’s strengths and areas to improve
Here is a snapshot of what the Giants will be getting with the selection of Thibodeaux. For further information, check out Thibodeaux’s full scouting report.
Strengths
- The speed with which he gets into the backfield, fueled by his initial burst, is exceptional
- Explosive hands, required length, and ability to bend around the arc
- Can quickly switch from attacking the outside track to pressurizing the interior
Areas for improvement
- Can’t rely on explosiveness to win every rep
- Needs to ensure that he keeps his balance
- Adding — and retaining — muscle mass will improve power/longevity
How does Thibodeaux project in the Giants’ depth chart?
The Giants needed a pass rusher in the 2022 NFL Draft to complement Azeez Ojulari. While Ojulari is the slighter-built player, Thibodeaux brings explosiveness and power on the outside while still being a good enough athlete to play in space. Ojulari has the “bend” you dream of in a pass rusher but still needs to improve against the run.
Thibodeaux brings the upside to be the best EDGE from the 2022 NFL Draft. Now, the Giants have a DL consisting of Thibodeaux, Dexter Lawrence, Ojulari, and Leonard Williams. That is a devastating group of pass rushers. If they can use other assets to address the offensive line, they could be a far more talented team heading into 2022.
When do the Giants pick next in the 2022 NFL Draft?
As of the time they drafted Thibodeaux, the Giants have these remaining picks in the 2022 NFL Draft.
- Round 1 (Pick 7 from Bears)
- Round 2 (Pick 36)
- Round 3 (Pick 67)
- Round 3 (Pick 81 from Miami)
- Round 4 (Pick 112 from Bears)
- Round 5 (Pick 147)
- Round 5 (Pick 173 from Ravens via Chiefs)
- Round 6 (Pick 182)
For the full results and upcoming draft order, check out our pick-by-pick tracker for the 2022 NFL Draft.