The New England Patriots weren’t able to emerge victorious against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 1, but there were certainly some bright spots. One of which was the pass rush, as Raiders quarterback Geno Smith was sacked four times.
Linebacker Harold Landry III tallied 2.5 sacks, defensive back Jaylinn Hawkins had 1, and LB K’Lavon Chaisson had 0.5. It ultimately couldn’t change the outcome of the game, but having reliable pressure will be a crucial factor for the Patriots’ finding success. To bolster this group, the Patriots could trade for a former top-five pick who still has plenty of upside.
Could the New England Patriots Take a Shot on Kayvon Thibodeaux?
The New York Giants have a terrifying QB-rushing trio of Brian Burns, Abdul Carter, and Kayvon Thibodeaux. Given Burns was traded for and is on a lucrative contract, and the Giants just spent the No. 3 pick on Carter, Thibodeaux is the most expendable of the bunch.
New York would trade him sooner rather than later to avoid financial troubles down the road. Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox predicts the Patriots could trade for him, adding a high-upside pass rusher to the mix.
“Thibodeaux is slated to be a free agent in 2027, one year before Carter becomes extension-eligible,” Knox wrote. “If the rookie is as advertised, New York will have to strongly consider moving on from either Burns or Thibodeaux.”
It’s worth noting that Burns would be tougher to move given his age, contract, and higher trade value.
Encouraging reps by the #Patriots defense on film. Looks like a Belichick staple: “dime odd magic cover 0” with the deep safety doubling Bowers.
Dime – six DB package
Odd – five-man pass rush front
Magic – stunt scheme working opposite the slide
Cover 0 – man+no safety help pic.twitter.com/Xe9uDXmXqi— Evan Lazar (@ezlazar) September 8, 2025
“He [Thibodeaux] hasn’t quite been the game-wrecker New York thought it was getting at fifth overall in 2022. However, he’s still a 24-year-old edge-rusher who has averaged seven sacks per season and is under contract for two more years. Thibodeaux won’t net the Giants anything close to what Dallas got for Parsons, but a high Day-2 selection is a reasonable expectation,” Knox concluded.
In the Giants’ Week 1 loss to the Washington Commanders, it was the Burns show, as he recorded two sacks. Thibodeaux finished the day with one tackle for loss and 0.5 sacks. Given that he is still contributing and has two seasons remaining on his four-year contract. $31 million contract, New York should be in no rush to part with him.
If this trade were to come to fruition, the Patriots would be banking on Thibodeaux returning to his 2023 self, when he put up 11.5 sacks in 17 games. If the coaching staff can muster this level of production out of the 24-year-old, sustaining the level of play from Week 1 against the Raiders becomes much more realistic.
