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Kyle Van Noy
Height: 6-3
Weight: 245
One of the best defensive players during the 2013 college football season, Kyle Van Noy was the anchor of a defense that finished in the top 25 in points allowed per game, allowing 22.1 points, good for 22nd among FBS teams. After sitting out the 2009 season, Van Noy emerged as a leader on the defense in 2010, starting every game for the Cougars and earning letterman honors. The following year, Van Noy would receive All-Independent honors as he helped the Cougars to a 9-3 record and a victory in the Armed Forces Bowl over the Tulsa Golden Hurricane.
In 2012 and 2013 respectively, Van Noy would receive All-American honors as well as the Independent Defensive Player of the Year award from SBNation.com and College Sports Madness in 2013.
Why You Should Be Sold On Him:
Van Noy is a highly intelligent player, meaning that he can anticipate plays before they happen. In laymen's terms, he has great awareness, something that the now departed Vilma was known for in his prime.
More often than not, Van Noy during the 2013 season made game-changing plays, whether it was by disrupting the quarterback or nabbing a key interception, something that was sorely lacking from the Saints last year from the linebacker corps.
Negatives:
Despite his role as a game changer on defense, Van Noy doesn't have the ability to change speeds. More importantly, in a league that has physical tight ends like Jimmy Graham and Vernon Davis, he doesn't overpower tight ends at the point of attack.