New Kayvon Thibodeaux Trade Rumors, Potential Landing Spot After Giants' Arvell Reese NFL Draft Pick

New York Giants edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux could be on the move after his team used the No. 5 pick of the 2026 NFL draft to select former Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese.

The Giants "have engaged in trade conversations" involving Thibodeaux, NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported Friday.

Thibodeaux is already seemingly preparing to leave based on his cryptic Instagram story:

Schultz reported that the New Orleans Saints are "among the teams showing interest," and that a deal could take place as soon as Friday night.

The Giants are back on the clock early Friday evening with the fifth pick of the second round, which starts at 7 p.m. ET in Pittsburgh.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported shortly after the Giants drafted Reese on Thursday night that the franchise did "not intend to trade" Thibodeaux.

When asked about the possibility of a Thibodeaux trade on Thursday night, head coach John Harbaugh answered, according to the team's official transcript: "No. No. We keep all the good players as much as we can, right? We love Kayvon."

B/R NFL scout Matt Holder described Reese, who was ranked as the No. 4 overall prospect on the final Bleacher Report big board, as "the most physically impressive linebacker in the 2026 draft class."

Reese told reporters after his selection at No. 5 the Giants had told him they planned to use him "in a bunch of unique ways."

Harbaugh said Thursday night Reese would line up as an inside linebacker next to Tremaine Edmunds, although he said Reese could also "move around" with edge rushers Abdul Carter and Brian Burns.

"He'll be moving around with all of our guys. Abdul and Brian and Kayvon and Tremaine," Harbaugh said. "We'll be running games and picks and stunts and different things like that on passing situations."

Whether Harbaugh ultimately adjusts that plan could hinge on Thibodeaux, who is currently set to play next season on an expiring contract after the Giants activated his $14.75 million club option for 2026.

Thibodeaux was limited by a shoulder injury to 10 games last season, during which he recorded 2.5 sacks.

That marked the second straight campaign in which Thibodeaux had missed significant time due to injury since his career-best 11.5-sack campaign in 2023.

The Saints, who could be seeking edge rushing help behind veteran linebacker Chase Young, targeted offense with their first selection of the 2026 draft by selecting wide receiver Jordan Tyson at No. 8.

Whether the Saints target an edge rusher when they next get on the board at No. 42 in the second round could hint at whether the franchise is planning to trade for a more experienced option like Thibodeaux instead.

In that case, the Giants could lean on Carter, Burns and Reese while getting a return rather than risk losing Thibodeaux to free agency for nothing should he play out this season on an expiring contract.