FOXBORO, Mass. — Kyle Van Noy unsurprisingly was taken aback by being traded from the Detroit Lions to the New England Patriots on Tuesday.
One minute, Van Noy was a full-time starter for the Lions, playing 60 percent of snaps at strong-side linebacker. And the next, he was sent to the Patriots for what essentially amounts to a box of football tees.
The Lions traded Van Noy and a seventh-round pick to the Patriots for a sixth-rounder. The Lions essentially traded up 30 to 35 picks at the end of the draft for a starting linebacker who was selected in the second round of the NFL draft just two years ago.
“I mean, I was shocked,” Van Noy said Thursday. “To go from starting there to traded, I was shocked. I respect everybody with the Detroit Lions. They’ll all be my guys there, and (I’m) just grateful for the opportunity to come here and get it going.”
Van Noy was extremely productive as a pass rusher at BYU, compiling 25 sacks in four college seasons, including seven as a sophomore and 13 as a junior. He also added 61.5 tackles for loss during his college career.
His NFL career started with a hitch as he suffered an injury in his rookie training camp and was placed on short-term injured reserve. He barely played on defense in his first two seasons before becoming a starter in 2016. Even as a starter, Van Noy only received 35 opportunities to rush the passer this season. He had four pressures.
“Yeah, I mean, they didn’t know where to put me,” Van Noy said about the Lions. “Here, they want me here and I’m happy to be wanted.”
Van Noy said he didn’t know how the Patriots would use him, but it’s possible he could boost New England’s pass rush as a hybrid edge defender. Van Noy has practiced with the linebackers thus far with the Patriots. The Patriots have tried different pairings at linebacker with Rob Ninkovich, Shea McClellin, Elandon Roberts and Barkevious Mingo playing next to Dont’a Hightower and Jamie Collins since Jonathan Freeny was placed on injured reserve. Van Noy also can contribute on special teams.
Thumbnail photo via Kirby Lee/USA TODAY Sports Images
