Predicted Giants-Lions trade would solve need for Detroit, garner good value for New York

Predicted Giants-Lions trade would solve need for Detroit, garner good value for New York originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Detroit Lions need help along the edge and the New York Giants are a team that could offer them some.

The Lions lost Al-Quadin Muhammad and his 11 sacks from last season in free agency and have yet to add an adequate replacement opposite Aidan Hutchinson.

General manager Brad Holmes seems to be allergic to adding an established weapon across from his best defensive player and instead appears set to rely on yet another player having a better-than-expected season like Muhammad did in 2025.

But that's not a recipe for success and Holmes needs to add more help. If it isn't an established player, he should at least explore adding someone with upside.

Giants-Lions trade prediction

New York Giants defensive lineman Kayvon Thibodeaux

New York Giants linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) runs out of the tunnel during a Thursday Night Football game between the New York Giants and the Philadelphia Eagles at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford on Oct. 9, 2025. Mandatory Credit: Julian Leshay Guadalupe/NorthJersey.com/Imagn Images

Bleacher Report's Kristopher Knox has offered up a decent solution for the Lions and it comes in the form of a trade prediction that has Detroit acquiring Giants EDGE Kayvon Thibodeaux.

The deal gives Detroit another edge rusher with some upside and the Giants get strong value in the form of a conditional third-round pick.

"The Detroit Lions could desperately use a standout edge-rusher to pair with Aidan Hutchinson," Knox said. "If they miss out on one in the draft, offering a conditional 2027 third-rounder that could become a second-round pick in order to get one would be logical."

Would the Giants trade Kayvon Thibodeaux?

Imagn Images

Thibodeaux has been the subject of trade rumors all offseason long, so discussing him as a trade candidate is logical, especially after head coach John Harbaugh revealed "everybody's tradable" when asked about Thibodeaux availability.

According to The Athletic's Ian O'Connor, the Giants are "fine" with keeping the former No. 5 overall pick but believes they could move him for the right offer.

"The Giants are fine keeping Kayvon Thibodeaux. But I'd heard if they get an offer of a late second-round pick or early third-round pick they would be compelled to make a deal," O'Connor said.

Getting a conditional third would be a strong enough offer, we think.

After all, the Giants could lose Thibodeaux for nothing in 2027, when he's slated to be a free agent. The team will be unlikely to re-sign him with Brian Burns and Abdul Carter under contract.

If the Giants wait until the trade deadline, Thibodeaux's value could be even lower than it is now because of his contract situation, barring an outrageous season.

How Thibodeaux helps the Lions

Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

We get it, Thibodeaux is no lock to be a big difference-maker or else he wouldn't be remotely available. However, there is at least promise to point to.

Before falling off the past two seasons, partly because of injury, Thibodeaux showed immense promise with 11.5 sacks in 2023.

If he can stay healthy, he'll benefit off having Hutchinson across from him and taking so much attention and could return to that 2023 form.

Adding to that, if Thibodeaux produces enough, the Lions could have a long-term solution on their hands, as Thibodeaux will turn 26 in December.

Again, there's no guarantee here, but the Lions need to hedge their bet at edge rusher and doing so by adding Thibodeaux is a good way to go about it.