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The missing defensive weapon and most exciting defensive player drafted in the 2014 NFL Draft is BYU linebacker Kyle Van Noy. At 6’3″ and 243 lbs Van Noy was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the second round to address the NFL ‘s new “pass-happy” strategy. The Lions needed a Linebacking core dynamnic in both pass rushing and coverage skills. They found the perfect man for the job in Van Noy.
Some bloggers and Lions’ fans wrongly believe the cost was too high in the trade of a fourth round pick to the Seattle Seahawks to move up to get the BYU football star. However, when questioned in the Lions post draft press conference new defensive coordinator, Teryl Austin stated “What he (Van Noy) 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. With those three things, you know you are going to get a three-down player for us”.
Van Noy’s versatility is needed in the Lions’ pass defense, the “achilles heel” on an otherwise strong squad. Van Noy has an uncanny ability to create turnovers. In his time playing at BYU he intercepted seven passes and was a major disruptive force in the backfields of opposing offenses. The Lions have been missing this sort of talent in their depleted linebacker core since the depature of Kyle Vanden Bosch.
After Detroit moved up to get Van Noy, ESPN analyst Mel Kiper commented: “Four-sport athlete in high school. Tough kid, NFL ready, tremendously smart. I think it is a heck of a pick for the Detroit Lions.” Van Noy may be the final weapon the motor city needs to make a solid run for the ever-elusive Lombardi trophy.
Christopher Duvall is a writer for CouchRiderReport.net. Follow him Facebook.