Kyle Van Noy

Lions Trade Kyle Van Noy to the Patriots, Sign Josh Bynes

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

foxsports

The Detroit Lions traded 3rd year linebacker Kyle Van Noy to the New England Patriots earlier today. The Lions packaged a 7th round pick with Van Noy and received a 6th round pick in return.

More info: the Lions are sending Van Noy and a 7th round pick for a 6th round pick, per source. https://t.co/mo2F86tXNh

— Field Yates (@FieldYates) October 25, 2016

Drafted as a 3-4 outside linebacker, Van Noy never transitioned into the 4-3 the way the Lions had hoped. He had a tremendous setback in his rookie year, needing hernia surgery. The next year, he could not find playing time, even with DeAndre Levy hurt all season. This year, injuries ravaged the linebacker core and Van Noy got his first chance to playing meaningful snaps. In the nicest way possible, it has not worked out. Van Noy has struggled with almost every aspect of the game. He was not a noticeably better option than JAGS like Thurston Armbrister or even Zaviar Gooden.

Van Noy now takes his “talents” to New England, where Bill Belichick will try to revive his career. It is every fan’s worst nightmare to see a struggling player dealt to New England because of their penchant for turning failures into stars. However, Kyle Van Noy’s situation is a bit muddier than those past success stories. He did not seem to fully recover from his rookie year surgery, and the NFL just seems to be too fast for him. His best hope now seems to be a special team’s ace. For a former 2nd round pick, that has to be disappointing. Lions fans are tired of hearing that phrase from the Martin Mayhew era.

This move also helps out the Lions’ cap room for 2017 as well, however miniscule it may be.

The Lions made one more move on the day. Minutes after learning about the trade with the Patriots, the Lions picked up free agent Josh Bynes. Bynes had been with the team since Teryl Austin was hired, and seems to finally be healthy enough to make a difference on a team that desperately needs some sort of production from their outside linebackers. He was probably the team’s best linebacker last year, and would have certainly been playing over Van Noy sans injury.

With this trade and free agent acquisition, the lions seems to be upgrading the linebackers. Bynes is certainly an upgrade on Van Noy. Jon Bostic and DeAndre Levy seem to be aiming for the bye week for a comeback. If the Lions can tread water for the next few weeks, re-reinforcements may be on the way soon.