The New York Giants selected Oregon edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux with the fifth overall selection in this year’s NFL draft. He joins a long line of great Giants’ pass rushers from Lawrence Taylor to Michael Strahan to the more recent Justin Tuck, Mathias Kiwanuka and Osi Umenyiora.
So, who does Thibodeaux resemble the most. Umenyiora chimed in with his opinion.
“He wouldn’t be anything like JPP, he doesn’t remind me of Kiwi, doesn’t remind me of Tuck, doesn’t remind me of Strahan, actually,” Umenyiora told the New York Post. “He’s more like myself.’”
If that turned out to be true, the Giants would be pleased. Osi was a two-time All-Pro, two-time Pro Bowler and a two-time Super Bowl champion. During his NFL career, he amassed 85 total sacks (75 with the Giants) and forced 35 fumbles, returning four for touchdowns.
“I like him as a player for sure,” Umenyiora said. “Very dynamic football player. He’s strong against the run, which for a college pass rusher of his caliber, you don’t really see that. Strong, quick first step, good bend around the edge, good pass-rush moves, good speed, good motor.
“The way he plays, the way he rushes the passer I think you would say he has a very similar game and a very similar skill set to what I did, for sure. I like him as a player, I do.’”
Outsiders would tend to disagree with Osi’s comparison as Thiobodeaux is believed to be more dynamic than Osi but time will tell. In either case, the Giants should be excited.
