Lions-Giants blockbuster trade proposal gives Detroit $31 million solution to huge problem

The Detroit Lions might be content with their current edge rusher situation, but many fans don't share the same optimism.

Not only do the Lions have their best pass rusher, Aidan Hutchinson, coming back from a serious injury, they have a major question mark opposite him.

The decision to release Za'Darius Smith has left Detroit with injury-prone veteran Marcus Davenport and unproven rookie Ahmed Hassanein, who was drafted in the sixth round of April's draft, as possible starting options across from Hutchinson.

For a team with Super Bowl aspirations, we'd like to see Detroit make another move to shore up the position, and the bigger the better.

Heavy's Jordan J. Wilson offered a more middle-of-the-road solution. He proposes a trade between the New York Giants and Lions that sends former top-five draft pick Kayvon Thibodeaux to Detroit.

If the Lions are stuck between wanting to add a more formidable pass-rushing partner for Hutchinson and not wanting to break the bank for someone like Hendrickson, then perhaps the 24-year-old Thibodeaux might interest them more as a potential trade fit.

A former No. 5 overall pick of the Giants in 2022, Thibodeaux's career can best be described as up and down thus far.

The Oregon product posted four sacks in 14 games in his rookie campaign before enjoying a breakout year with 11.5 sacks in 2023. Then, in 2024, Thibodeaux was limited to 12 games due to injury and tallied 5.5 sacks.

Thibodeaux might not be the elite pass-rusher he was billed as coming out of college, but it's clear he can make a significant impact when on the field.

On top of that, going to the Lions and playing opposite Hutchinson could free him up for more one-on-ones and, in turn, more sacks.

The problem with this proposal is the Giants are highly unlikely to trade Thibodeaux, at least before the start of the season.

Head coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen are both on the brink of being fired and need all hands on deck if they want to make something out of 2025 and save their respective jobs. Thibodeaux will be a key member of New York's defense, which figures to be the team's strength.

However, things could change drastically if the Giants are having a terrible season when the trade deadline approaches.

A Day 2 selection would likely be enough to get a trade done, and the fact that Thibodeaux still has another year left on his $31 million deal following 2026 softens the blow of anything Detroit would have to give up.