The New York Giants have more than one Michael Strahan. They might have found a better player than the gap-toothed Hall of Famer if they had taken Kayvon Thibodeaux. After his playing days are over, it is possible that he will host Good Morning America for two decades.
There are no guarantees in the draft. After a season with Jacksonville, the best quarterback in a decade, the No. 1 overall pick, last year, hasn't lived up to his billing. The Giants know that draft potential isn't always good. How is the quarterback situation looking after Eli Manning? If you show me a Giants fan that wants to ride with Daniel Jones, I will show you a bald-faced liar.
The reason for this story is that Thibodeaux will be a smash hit.
We are more than a week away from the first round of the draft, and with each passing day, I have become more convinced that the first two teams in the draft, the Lions and theJaguars, will live to regret not taking him. The three were tied to each other because of their success in college and their position in the draft. Seeing those three as comparable is comical, whether it is choosing someone from the reigning national champion or a local fit.
At full health, Thibodeaux's ability to beat pass blockers is better than that of Hutchinson and Walker. He could draw a double-team. No problem. He wore green most of the time in Eugene and did his Bruce Banner imitation. Someone else feasted for Oregon if teams stopped Thibodeaux too many times. The ability of Thibodeaux was a big reason why the Ducks were able to get into the College Football Playoff in recent years.
The two defensive linemen drafted in front of him are slower than his first step off the line of scrimmage. He is more physical and overpowering offensive tackles at will, instead of just using finesse. Hutchinson might have doubled Thibodeaux's sack total from 2021, but it is only a one-season jump. Hutchinson has not sustained that success over time. The other two have, but Thibodeaux is the only one who has.
This isn't a discussion, it would have been better if he hadn't injured his ankle in the first game of the season and sat out the next two contests. If he had at least eight more quarters of game film against Ohio State, he would be the clear top player in the draft. He was that to me. I am puzzled as to why those in Jacksonville and Detroit didn't see the same things.
Maybe he needed that hit that got millions of hits on social media to get over the top? One like Jadeveon Clowney had for South Carolina. The hit heard around the world was where a running back's helmet went flying away from him. Clowney and Walker were the first two defensive linemen taken in the draft.
Statistics only go so far when comparing Walker, Hutchinson and Thibodeaux. Georgia had five defensive players selected in the first round. We don't know how they will perform at the next level without the influence of the others. The SEC will leave the defense to go on professional endeavors. Hutchinson had a teammate chosen in the first round. Thibodeaux did not.
He has been open about wanting his legacy to be more than just a football player. He is going to open a charter school and start his own coin. He stated in pre-draft interviews that he wanted to be a role model in whatever community he was drafted into, and New York City is the biggest market. There are doubts as to whether or not Thibodeaux's mindset is solely focused on football.
Is there any questions about when and where the More Than an Athlete TV series started by the NBA star or when he opened his school in his hometown of Akron? No. Thibodeaux should be applauded.
The Texans and Jets went to address bigger needs and let the Giants take care of it. He will be a monster in the easiest division to win in football. New York may finish fourth in the East. How will they score? Great question. How will the Giants stop teams from scoring? It is a difficult task. Someone who is tangible is a difference-maker. They don't come along every day. Cheers to the defensive rookies of the year.
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