NFL.com predicts big leap for Kayvon Thibodeaux
NFL.com, in collaboration with Next Gen Stats, recently released a list of one player from each team poised to make a leap in 2023.
For the Giants, the choice was second-year outside linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux.
"Surface-level stats show that Thibodeaux managed to take down the quarterback just four times in 2023. However, traditional metrics don't tell the whole story here," wrote Next Gen Stats analyst Keegan Abdoo. "For instance, per Next Gen Stats, Thibodeaux tied for the 10th-most QB pressures (22) among edge rushers from Weeks 12 to 18 last season, helping him to finish the year with the second-most pressures (40) of any rookie (Aidan Hutchison was first with 45). With an offseason to study and improve his game, those pressures should translate into sacks sooner than later."
After missing the first two games of his rookie campaign, Thibodeaux went on to play the next 14 games. The 6-foot-5, 258-pound linebacker totaled 49 tackles (33 solo), four sacks, six tackles for loss, 13 quarterback hits, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, five passes defensed and one defensive touchdown.
Thibodeaux finished the season strong as three of his four sacks came in the final five games of the regular season. This led to him finishing fourth in the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year voting.
The 22-year-old flashed his potential during the Giants' Week 15 win over the Washington Commanders, a game that Thibodeaux dominated. The former Oregon Duck finished with 12 tackles (nine solo), a sack, three tackles for loss and a forced fumble which he recovered and returned for a touchdown.
Thibodeaux had another strong outing against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 12, where PFF had him down for nine total pressures, including five quarterback hits.
Earlier this summer, Giants legend and Pro Football Hall of Famer Michael Strahan told reporters he believes big things are in store for the second-year outside linebacker.
"This is a guy I know is going to be a great player for the Giants," Strahan told the New York Post at the Big Daddy Celebrity Golf Classic. "I know he has the work ethic, he has the desire and as much as you say 'He's outgoing, he talks, he does this,' the guy really works at it, and that's what I respect about him. It's not like he's just saying it and going off raw talent and ability. He's saying it because he believes it. Because he puts in the work to make it happen."
View the best photos of Giants outside linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux.

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New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II (97) and linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during a week 7 NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday, October 22, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus / New York Giants)

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New York Giants linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during a week 3 NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Thursday, September 21, 2023 in Santa Clara, California (Evan Pinkus / New York Giants)

New York Giants linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) celebrates a sack during a week 7 NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday, October 22, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus / New York Giants)

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New York Giants linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during a week 3 NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Thursday, September 21, 2023 in Santa Clara, California (Evan Pinkus / New York Giants)

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New York Giants linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during a week 3 NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Thursday, September 21, 2023 in Santa Clara, California (Evan Pinkus / New York Giants)

New York Giants linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during a week 6 NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, October 15, 2023 in Orchard Park, New York (Evan Pinkus / New York Giants)

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New York Giants linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during an week 1 NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, September 10, 2023 in East Rutherford, NJ. (Evan Pinkus / New York Giants)

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New York Giants linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during a week 3 NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Thursday, September 21, 2023 in Santa Clara, California (Evan Pinkus / New York Giants)

New York Giants linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during a week 8 NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, October 29, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus / New York Giants)

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New York Giants defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) celebrates a strip sack during a football game against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday October 16, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)



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New York Giants defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during a football game against the Chicago Bears on Sunday October 2, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)

New York Giants defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during a football game against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday October 30, 2022 in Seattle, Washington (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)

New York Giants defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during a football game against the Chicago Bears on Sunday October 2, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)

New York Giants defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during a NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday November 24, 2022 in Arlington, Texas (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )

New York Giants defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during a football game against the Chicago Bears on Sunday October 2, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)

New York Giants defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during a football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday October 24, 2022 in Jacksonville, Florida (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)

New York Giants defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) gets introduced before before a Monday Night football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Monday September 26, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)

New York Giants defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during a football game against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday October 30, 2022 in Seattle, Washington (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)

New York Giants defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during a NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday November 24, 2022 in Arlington, Texas (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )

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New York Giants defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during a football game against the Chicago Bears on Sunday October 2, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)

New York Giants defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during a football game against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday October 16, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)

New York Giants defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during a Monday Night football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Monday September 26, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)

New York Giants defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during a NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday November 24, 2022 in Arlington, Texas (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )

New York Giants linebacker Azeez Ojulari (51) Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) sack Jale Hurts (1) during a NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagle, Sunday December 11, 2022 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )

New York Giants defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during a NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday November 14, 2022 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )

New York Giants linebacker Azeez Ojulari (51) Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) sack Jale Hurts (1) during a NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagle, Sunday December 11, 2022 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )

New York Giants linebacker Azeez Ojulari (51) Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) sack Jale Hurts (1) during a NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagle, Sunday December 11, 2022 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )

New York Giants defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during a Monday Night football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Monday September 26, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)

New York Giants defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)during a Monday Night football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Monday September 26, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)

New York Giants defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) gets introduced before a NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagle, Sunday December 11, 2022 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )

New York Giants defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during a NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday December 4, 2022 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )

New York Giants defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during a NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday December 4, 2022 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )

New York Giants defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during a NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday December 4, 2022 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )

New York Giants defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during a NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday December 4, 2022 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )

New York Giants defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during a NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday December 4, 2022 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )

New York Giants defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during a NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday December 4, 2022 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )

New York Giants defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during a NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday December 4, 2022 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )

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New York Giants defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) celebrates a strip sack during a football game against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday October 16, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)

The New York Giants take on the Baltimore Ravens at Metlife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on Sunday October 16, 2022. (Ben Solomon/New York Giants)

New York Giants defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during a Monday Night football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Monday September 26, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)

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New York Giants defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) celebrates a strip sack during a football game against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday October 16, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)

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NT Dexter Lawrence II (97), OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)

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New York Giants linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during an week 2 NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, September 17, 2023 in Glendale, Arizona (Evan Pinkus / New York Giants)

New York Giants linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during a week 8 NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, October 29, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus / New York Giants)

New York Giants linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during a week 5 NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, October 8, 2023 in Miami, Florida (Evan Pinkus / New York Giants)

New York Giants linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during a week 4 NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks Monday October 2, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus / New York Giants)

New York Giants linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during a week 8 NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, October 29, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus / New York Giants)

New York Giants linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) during a week 7 NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday, October 22, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus / New York Giants)

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New York Giants linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux (5) before a week 8 NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, October 29, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus / New York Giants)

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New York Giants linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
View the best photos of all the action at the Giants' 2023 training camp.


WR Jalin Hyatt (84)

New York Giants safety Dane Belton (24)) strips the balll during a joint training camp practice with the Detroit Lions on August 9, 2023 in Allen Park, Michigan (Evan Pinkus/New York Giants)

QB Daniel Jones (8)

New York Giants defensive end Leonard Williams (99), Rakeem Nunez-Roches (93) Jordon Riley (95) and Dexter Lawrence (97) during training camp practice on August 23, 2023 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus/New York Giants)

New York Giants offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (78) talks with Evan Neal (73) during training camp practice on August 22, 2023 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus/New York Giants)

WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton (6), CB Tre Hawkins III (37)

New York Giants wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins (18) and Saquon Barkley (26) celebrate a touchdown catch during training camp practice on August 23, 2023 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus/New York Giants)

New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) and Daniel Jones (8) during training camp practice on August 23, 2023 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus/New York Giants)

CB Deonte Banks (36), WR Jalin Hyatt (84)

RB Saquon Barkley (26), marshawn lynch

WR Jalin Hyatt (84)

S Jason Pinnock (27)

New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll before training camp practice on July 28, 2023 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus/New York Giants)

S Xavier McKinney (29)

WR Sterling Shepard (3), Victor Cruz

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RB Saquon Barkley (26)

P Jamie Gillan (6) fist bumps K Graham Gano ( during training camp practice on August 3, 2023 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus/New York Giants)

Eli Manning, Brian DabollĀ Head Coach

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RB Saquon Barkley (26)

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New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll talks with Dan Campbell during a joint training camp practice with the Detroit Lions on August 8, 2023 in Allen Park, Michigan (Evan Pinkus/New York Giants)

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TE Darren Waller (12)

WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton (6)

DL Leonard Williams (99)

Brian DabollĀ Head Coach, Fivio Foreign

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RB Saquon Barkley (26), marshawn lynch

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Eli Manning, Brian DabollĀ Head Coach

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Brian DabollĀ Head Coach

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Eli Manning, Brian DabollĀ Head Coach

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WR Darius Slayton (86)

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Brian DabollĀ Head Coach

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RB Saquon Barkley (26), QB Daniel Jones (8)

Brian DabollĀ Head Coach, QB Daniel Jones (8)

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QB Daniel Jones (8), RB Saquon Barkley (26)

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CB Deonte Banks (36)

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RB Saquon Barkley (26)

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P Jamie Gillan (6), K Graham Gano (9)

WR Cole Beasley (9)

WR Collin Johnson (15)

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CB Adoree' Jackson (22), WR Isaiah Hodgins (18)

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QB Daniel Jones (8)

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TE Lawrence Cager (83)

WR Darius Slayton (86)

WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton (6)

TE Daniel Bellinger (82), S Xavier McKinney (29)

TE Darren Waller (12)

TE Darren Waller (12)

QB Tyrod Taylor (2)

QB Tommy DeVito (5)

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Brian DabollĀ Head Coach, RB Saquon Barkley (26)

QB Daniel Jones (8)

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RB Saquon Barkley (26)

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