With a new defensive system in place, the New York Giants will rely heavily on the pass rush going into the new season.
That means the Giants will need one of their budding stars, Kayvon Thibodeaux, to take the next step in his development.
The 23-year-old enters his third season in the NFL and is coming off a career-high 11.5 sacks in 2023.
Bucky Brooks of NFL.com believes Thibodeaux is on the verge of a monster season, placing him on the 2024 NFL All-Breakout Team for defense.
“After amassing 11.5 sacks in his second season, Thibodeaux could become the next elite pass rusher to flourish in the Big Apple. The 6-foot-5, 258-pounder thrives as a speed rusher off the edge — and now he’s in position to really wreak havoc, lining up across the formation from two-time Pro Bowler Brian Burns,” wrote Brooks.
It’s all there for Thibodeaux to emerge as one of the NFL’s best pass rushers. He was highly-regarded coming out of Oregon in 2022 and has been improving his game every season since.
The No. 5 overall pick from 2022 racked up 11.5 sacks, 12 tackles for loss and 16 quarterback hits during his second season.
Under new defensive coordinator Shane Bowen, which relies heavily on a four-man pass rush, Thibodeaux should have ample opportunities to improve those numbers.
If he does, the Giants defense would take a major step forward.
