Kayvon lands on NFL.com's Defensive All-Rookie Team
NFL.com's Kevin Patra recently made his selections for the 2022 Defensive All-Rookie Team, where Kayvon Thibodeaux was selected as one of the two edge defenders, along with Detroit Lions DE Aidan Hutchinson.
"I went back and forth between Thibodeaux, Travon Walker and George Karlaftis for the other edge spot, but the No. 5 overall pick's scorching close to the regular season was too much to ignore," wrote Patra. "Thibodeaux has been a menace, discombobulating opposing backfields by screaming off the edge. While the sack numbers aren't astronomical (four), pressure is production, and Thibodeaux generated 40 pressures in just 14 games played. His 11.1 QB pressure rate was tops among all rookies who played at least 500 snaps, per Next Gen Stats.
"He's also the only rookie in the top 16 of ESPN's "sacks created" stat. Thibodeaux added game-changing moments, as well. His strip-sack touchdown against Washington in Week 15 turned the tide of the crucial contest and helped lift the Giants to the postseason. All those pre-draft concerns about the Oregon product look silly when you watch Thibs on the field."
Thibodeaux had a strong end to the season, picking up a sack in three of his final five games. The rookie outside linebacker had one of the team's top defensive plays of the season, mentioned above, when he strip-sacked Commanders QB Taylor Heinicke, recovered the football and carried it into the end zone for a touchdown.
He finished his rookie campaign with four sacks, six tackles for loss, 13 quarterback hits, 49 total tackles (33 solo), five pass breakups, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and the defensive touchdown across 14 games.
According to Pro Football Focus, Thibodeaux also racked up 40 total pressures.
Here is the entire NFL.com Defensive All-Rookie Team:
- EDGE Aidan Hutchinson, Detroit Lions
- EDGE Kayvon Thibodeaux, New York Giants
- DT Jordan Davis, Philadelphia Eagles
- DT Travis Jones, Baltimore Ravens
- LB Quay Walker, Green Bay Packers
- LB Devin Lloyd, Jacksonville Jaguars
- CB Sauce Gardner, New York Jets
- CB Tariq Woolen, Seattle Seahawks
- NB Kader Kohou, Miami Dolphins
- S Jalen Pitre, Houston Texans
- S Kyle Hamilton, Baltimore Ravens
View the best photos of Giants outside linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux.