Fansided

NFL free agency 2020: Best linebackers available

By Russell S. Baxter

PHOENIX, AZ - DECEMBER 08: Bud Dupree #48 of the Pittsburgh Steelers in action during the game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on December 8, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. The Steelers defeated the Cardinals 23-17. (Photo by Rob Leiter via Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ - DECEMBER 08: Bud Dupree #48 of the Pittsburgh Steelers in action during the game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on December 8, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. The Steelers defeated the Cardinals 23-17. (Photo by Rob Leiter via Getty Images) /
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HOUSTON, TX – DECEMBER 1: Kyle Van Noy #53 celebrates with Chase Winovich #50 of the New England Patriots after sacking the quarterback during the first half of a game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on December 1, 2019 in Houston, Texas. The Texans defeated the Patriots 28-22. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – DECEMBER 1: Kyle Van Noy #53 celebrates with Chase Winovich #50 of the New England Patriots after sacking the quarterback during the first half of a game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on December 1, 2019 in Houston, Texas. The Texans defeated the Patriots 28-22. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

1. OLB Kyle Van Noy (New England Patriots)

It’s really quite surprising that the Detroit Lions opted to give up on a second-round draft choice so soon. But that was the case when the team dealt former BYU defenders Kyle Van Noy to the New England Patriots in October of 2016. The 6’3”, 250-pounder performer was sent to Foxborough, along with a seventh-round draft choice in 2017, for a sixth-round selection that same year.

It’s safe to say Bill Belichick’s team wound up with the best of that deal. He inherited a player that managed only one sacks in 30 regular-season contests in the Motor City. In three-plus years with the Pats, he’s been a member of three Super Bowl teams and the owner of two championships.

His nose for the football has seen him come up big the past two seasons with three touchdowns via fumble returns (2) and a blocked punt return (1). There have been a slew of tackles (including a team-high 89 stops in 2018), 16.5 sacks, five forced fumbles and a combined six takeaways in 51 regular-season games with the Patriots.

But wait, there’s more. There have been 10 postseason appearances with Belichick’s club, to go along with 5.5 sacks and four forced fumbles. It’s safe to say he’s come up with his share of timely plays for the league’s most successful franchise this century.

More fansided.com: NFL power rankings: 2020 edition – Chiefs at No. 1

Now Van Noy can enter free agency playing the best football of his career. In case it went unnoticed, the Patriots have quite a few prominent players whose contracts expire in a little over a month. Will they bring back this six-year pro?

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