Kyle Van Noy NFL Draft 2014: Highlights, Scouting Report for Lions OLB

Kyle Van Noy, OLB, BYU (HT: 6’3⅛” WT: 243 lbs.)

Detroit Lions (Lions trade 45th, 111th and 227th picks to Seahawks for 40th pick)

Second Round: 40th Pick

NFL Comparison: Akeem Ayers, OLB, Tennessee Titans

Height	Weight	Arm	Hand
6031	243	31 5/8"	9 5/8"

40-yd dash	10-yd split	Vert	Broad	3-Cone	Shuttle
4.71	1.60	32 1/2"	9'4"	7.22	4.20

Positives

• Highly intelligent defender who diagnoses plays quickly
• Beats blockers to spots by playing on his toes and never hesitating
• Plays with his eyes up and a consistent awareness of the football
• Reads blockers while rushing and takes advantage of missteps or poor positioning 
• Can work a variety of moves as a pass-rusher
• Devastatingly effective spin move back to inside gaps as a rusher 
• Effective on stunts and twists, precise rusher who can free teammates 
• Reaches for the throwing arm of quarterbacks when he gets home and causes fumbles frequently
• Gets hands up and deflects passes often
• Anticipates routes and moves with skillful footwork
• Reroutes receivers with physicality, utilizes length and strong hands
• Developed ball skills with a track record of game-changing interceptions 
• Quick off the ball and into the backfield, makes tackles for loss at a high rate
• Aggressive with his hands to attack run blocks, playing on his toes
• Can reset the line of scrimmage on the edge and string out perimeter runs
• Aggressively meets lead blocks to cut down running lanes
• Disciplined in backside pursuit to fill cutback lanes
• Flows over the top of plays with fluidity from off-ball positions
• Breaks down in space and doesn’t miss tackles often
• Wraps and drives his legs to get ball carriers to the ground quickly
• Pursues the ball with a fine motor and makes plays at the perimeter with regularity
• Has experience at a multitude of positions across a defense

Negatives

• Little explosiveness or change of speed ability
• Has a tough time changing directions cleanly in space, feet aren’t overly sudden
• Little incorporation of power in rushes with a soft punch
• Doesn’t get to his spots quickly in zone coverage
• Lacks recovery speed in coverage if he takes a bad step, not fit for man coverage
• Not an overwhelming presence to blockers, can get bounced around a bit
• Doesn’t overpower tight ends at the point of attack
• Inconsistent shedding drive blocks after stacking at the line of scrimmage
• Can be too reliant on a sidestep and overarm move to play off blocks
• Doesn’t pursue the ball with significant speed in the open field
• More of an opportunist than a defender who dominates opponents
• May not have a perfect positional fit

Year	Tackles	TFL	Sacks	FF	PD	INT
2010	35	7.5	2	2	2	0
2011	68	15	7	3	3	3
2012	53	22	13	6	5	2
2013	70	17.5	4	0	7	2

Personal Notes

• A 4-star prospect as a recruit in class of 2009, ranked 24th-best athlete by Rivals
  
• 2013 FBS Independent Defensive Player of the Year
• 36 career starts at BYU dating back to freshman season
• Graduated with a degree in history
  

Ratings Chart

Graph made at nces.com.

Overall

Though his statistical production was down, Kyle Van Noy lived up to his billing as one of the best linebackers in the country in 2013.  He proved he could do a number of things well with the versatile skill set needed of linebackers in today’s league.  A lack of athletic upside means Van Noy’s ceiling is not as high as that of Anthony Barr or Jeremiah Attaochu, but his intelligence and versatility will have him in a starting lineup for years to come.  A multiple defense that’s willing to use Van Noy in numerous ways would be his best fit.

Draft Projection: First Round