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NEW YORK CITY — Kyle Van Noy was rated by many NFL Draft analysts as the best remaining outside linebacker entering Friday’s second round, and a team lacking playmakers on defense came calling.
The Detroit Lions traded three picks for the right to select Van Noy with the 40th overall choice.
Van Noy joins a team that has made the playoffs once in the last 14 years, where an offense touting talented athletes has been desperate in recent seasons for a defensive unit that could keep them in games.
As the eighth pick in the second round, the Reno, Nevada, native is looking at a contract in the neighborhood of four years, $5 million; $3 million of which will likely be guaranteed following a signing bonus around $2 million, based on the 2013 average for players selected early on day two.
The Lions were undoubtedly attracted to Van Noy's pass-rushing ability in an attempt to improve on the NFL’s 28th-ranked sack total (33) last year, but Lions general manager Marlin Mayhew expects him to contribute in various ways.
“This guy is very versatile, very productive,” Mayhew said in a press conference. “When you put him on, he’s going to be chasing down ball carriers, he’s got a lot of range, makes plays on the ball in the passing game, sacks the quarterback. He’s just really, really productive and versatile. I think he’ll be a great fit for our defense.”
Detroit wasn’t much better when it came to defending the pass, ranking 23rd. While Van Noy will be counted on to help his former roommate Ziggy Ansah keep opposing quarterbacks under duress, he’ll have to consistently demonstrate his pass-coverage skills to vie for immediate playing time. He totaled seven interceptions and 17 pass breakups during his Cougar career.
“I think what he does is give us a big backer who can play on the ball, he can play off the ball and he can rush the passer,” Lions defensive coordinator Teryl Austin said, referring to Van Noy as a “three-down player.”
What likely motivated Detroit to sacrifice one additional rookie they could have drafted is the ability he showed at BYU to line up on the outside, in the middle and every once in a while on the defensive line.
First-year Lions head coach Jim Caldwell said Van Noy will see time on special teams and will compete for a starting job on defense.
“He’s a dedicated individual,” Caldwell said. “He’ll catch on quickly to what we’re doing; he’s smart.”
As first- and second-round draft selections in the past two drafts, Van Noy and Ansah became the sixth Cougar tandem to go in the first two rounds in back-to-back years.
“The Lions are starting a BYU pipeline,” BYU head coach Bronco Mendenhall said in a press release. “Detroit will not be disappointed. Kyle has matured and grown as a person and as a football player, and I couldn't be more proud of him. He's a fantastic football player. I'm looking forward to following his career in the NFL."
BYU may only breakout the sleek, navy-blue throwback jerseys once this upcoming season, but with two alumni playing in the motor city, more Lions Honolulu blue — not so dissimilar from royal — will surely be seen around Provo.
