By Adeniyi Precious 
The Detroit Lions seem pretty content with keeping most of their roster intact this offseason, hoping that a little better luck on the injury front will be enough to push them forward. But one area that still needs attention? The pass rush.
With a strong edge rusher class in the upcoming draft, the Lions could find a young talent there. But could they make a bigger splash and trade for a veteran instead? Pro Football Focus’ Mason Cameron thinks so—he’s floated the idea of Detroit trading for New York Giants defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux.
The Case for Trading for Thibodeaux
Cameron argues that while Thibodeaux hasn’t fully lived up to expectations in New York, he could thrive in the right system. He was drafted No. 5 overall in 2022, just three picks after Detroit’s Aidan Hutchinson, and his 2023 season was his best yet—11.5 sacks, 12 tackles for loss, and played all 17 games.
With the Giants facing a big decision on his contract soon, Cameron suggests now might be the best time for New York to trade him if they’re unsure about his future. Plus, the Lions would have the cap space to extend him if they made the move.
Why It Probably Won’t Happen
While the idea is intriguing, there are plenty of reasons it’s unlikely. First, the Giants don’t seem eager to trade him. A pass rusher with his upside and recent production isn’t someone teams typically move unless there’s a big issue behind the scenes.
Second, the price would be steep. New York would likely demand at least a Day 2 draft pick (a second or third-rounder), and Detroit has plenty of its own upcoming contract extensions to worry about.
Lastly, the Lions already spent a lot of time scouting Thibodeaux before the 2022 draft and have faced him in joint practices the last two offseasons. If they really wanted him, they would’ve likely made a move for him already.
Final Verdict: Not Worth It
While adding another high-end pass rusher is a great idea, this particular trade doesn’t make much sense for the Lions. Between the high cost, the Giants’ reluctance to move him, and Detroit’s other roster priorities, it’s a long shot at best.
Grade: C+ — Interesting concept, but not very realistic.