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NFL experts won't let one Saints draft day rumor fade away

ByDarrion Gray|
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Aug 16, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) looks on before the preseason game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Aug 16, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) looks on before the preseason game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images | Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

The New Orleans Saints clearly need help at edge rusher. Even after acquiring Tyree Wilson and Anfernee Jennings, the top of the room leaves more to be desired. They need someone to pair Chase Young and Carl Granderson. That could come in the form of Cam Jordan or Kayvon Thibodeaux, but the room is concerning as currently constructed. 

Thibodeaux certainly feels like an out of left field option at this point, but ESPN’s analysts aren’t quite sold on the Giants keeping him or Saints being out of the sweepstakes. Looking at how the last month played out, it’s fair to connect the dots. The problem is each side has the same obstacle they had during the draft.  

It wasn’t purely focused on the Saints. ESPN collected a group of analysts and each suggested a team and trade package. Ultimately, they decided the Giants wouldn’t accept any of the trades. The Saints’ trade package says a lot, however.  

Saints would have to be desperate to make this trade

Thibodeaux has been frequently been connected to the Saints. During the NFL Draft, it was a hot conversation in both New York and New Orleans media. It clearly never materialized, but that hasn’t stopped the chatter. Jeremy Fowler’s trade package saw the Saints give up a third round pick for Thibodeaux. 

The Athletic’s Dan Duggan said the Saints were the most interested team in Thibodeaux in April, so if he’s back on the table, it makes sense the Saints would check back in. Duggan reported the Giants were looking for a second round pick, and the Saints didn’t want to go above a fourth round pick. That’s where we get to the dilemma.

The question becomes whether or not each side is willing to compromise on compensation. The exercise ended with the Giants turning down the deal because they likely wouldn’t. Truthfully, the Saints wouldn’t either. 

Thibodeaux hasn’t been a slam dunk since entering the league. He’s shown flashes and looks like he could continue to grow, but there’s still something to be said for his lack of consistency and expiring contract. There’s a reason the Saints didn’t want to budge beyond a fourth round pick. It was likely both a team philosophy and player evaluation. Supply and demand can inflate cost, but the Saints stuck to their guns by trading a 5th rounder for Wilson. They should continue to stick to them in this situation. 

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