New York Giants 3 best offseason additions in 2022

New York Giants top offseason pickup: OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (Oregon)

Getting after opposing quarterbacks never used to be a problem for the Giants. Throughout history, they have had some of the best pass rushers in the NFL annals. A little over 40 years ago, Pro Football Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor changed the game. A little more recently, defensive end Michael Strahan enjoyed a successful career and also wound up enshrined in Canton, Ohio.

From Justin Tuck to Osi Umenyiora to Jason Pierre-Paul, the franchise always seemed to have a big-time pass rusher. And now the club’s new regime hopes it has struck gold in former University of Oregon standout Kayvon Thibodeaux, who will line up at outside linebacker in new defensive coordinator Don Martindale’s scheme.

The 6’4”, 254-pound prospect will be playing opposite promising Azeez Ojulari. The 2021 second-round pick from the University of Georgia led Big Blue with eight sacks as a rookie. There could be a little competition between the pair of young performers which will only benefit the team.

“He said he has goals he wants to reach,” explained the fifth overall pick in April’s draft, “and we’re just going to keep pushing each other to get there.”

The Giants finished with just 34 sacks in 17 games this past season. Ironically, that’s the same number of QB traps that the Baltimore Ravens finished with under Martindale in 2021. That’s a number that must increase this year.