Kyle Van Noy, OLB, Miami Dolphins
Similar to the discussion around cornerback Byron Jones, Van Noy is going to flourish down in Miami with his former defensive play-caller Brian Flores. Flores, during his time in New England with the Patriots, saw first-hand how Van Noy could be a game-changing player in the NFL. By moving him to an outside, off-ball linebacker spot, the Patriots played to Van Noy’s strengths as a player. He can rush the passer and collapse the pocket off the edge, he can set the edge against the run, and he can drop into coverage and impact the passing game in underneath zones.
But by moving to Miami, Van Noy will also be in position to benefit from what the Dolphins have done – and will likely do in the draft – to their defensive front. Bill Belichick has often shied away from paying a premium for pass rushers, as well as drafting them on Day One. Miami, by contrast, is moving in a different direction. They signed two pass rushers in free agency (Shaq Lawson and Emmanuel Ogbah) and many draft writers anticipate that they will use one of their three first-round picks on another pass rusher, perhaps K’Lavon Chaisson from LSU. That is a much different – and more talented – defensive front than Van Noy was operating behind last year in New England.
As a result? More opportunities for him to wreck havoc on opposing pockets.