New York Giants select Oregon’s Kayvon Thibodeaux at No. 5, Alabama’s Evan Neal at No. 7 in 2022 NFL Draft

The Giants loaded up on both the offensive and defensive fronts Thursday night.

New York selected Oregon edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux with the fifth-overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft on Thursday. Minutes later, the Giants selected Alabama offensive tackle Evan Neal with the No. 7 overall pick.

Boasting a magnificent mix of speed and power, Thibodeaux’s potential and production made him a candidate to be a top-five pick, while questions concerning his desire and effort plagued him during the pre-draft process.

The No. 1 overall high school prospect coming out of Oaks Christian in Southern California, Thibodeaux wasted little time making an impact with the Ducks as he produced nine sacks in his freshman year. In 2021, Thibodeaux produced seven sacks as a junior to go with 50 tackles, 12 tackles for loss and eight quarterback hits. Thibodeaux has been under a football microscope since he transferred from Los Angeles’ Dorsey High School to Oaks Christian, and has matured accordingly, considering business opportunities presented to him among many other factors in his college recruitment before ultimately choosing Oregon over the rest of the Division I powerhouses.

Though he lacks great bend and flexibility, Thibodeaux’s toolbox is full when it comes to pass-rushing ability thanks to his size, speed and quickness off the ball. He’ll fit in nicely on a defensive front that includes Leonard Williams and Dexter Lawrence. The latter of the two had his fifth-year option picked up by the team Thursday prior to the draft, and he’ll have a new running mate in Thibodeaux.

New York finished 25th in the league against the run last season, but it wasn’t the only obvious need on its roster.

Around The NFL will have more on New York’s night shortly.

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