New England Patriots head coach, Mike Vrabel being introduced by owner, Robert Kraft at Foxborough. January 13, 2025
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New England Patriots head coach, Mike Vrabel being introduced by owner, Robert Kraft at Foxborough. January 13, 2025
The New England Patriots made sweeping efforts across the board to heal a spluttering roster of the course of the past three months in the new Mike Vrabel era.
Whilst there is still work to be done at almost unit, things certainly look better than they did six months prior for the Boston franchise, as the Patriots came within one game of securing the first overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, which ultimately landed with Tennessee.
Yet, one position group that could raise legitimate concerns from top to bottom is at outside linebacker, which contains the team’s edge rushers in New England’s 3-4 base defense.
New addition, Harold Landry III, combined with veteran, Anfernee Jennings, do not feel like a playoff-caliber edge rushing tandem.
And the players behind them on the depth chart; former first round disappointment, K’Lavon Chaisson, and rookie fifth round pick, Bradyn Swinson, do not figure to have a high probability of significantly raising the quality of the exterior pass rush – at least not in 2025.
Kyle Van Noy Playing Some Of The Best Football Of His Career
Consequently, one move the Patriots may consider making is to look to trade for familiar face, two-time Super Bowl champion and newly-minted first time Pro Bowler, Kyle Van Noy.
Van Noy had his best statistical season, and arguably his best year in the pros – period – in 2024, coming off an excellent year prior to that in 2023.
Before his spell with the Baltimore Ravens, Van Noy had always been a strong do-all hybrid linebacker/edge rusher during his time in New England, but never as prolific a pass rusher as he is demonstrating now coming into his age 34 year.
And so it would stand to reason that in a year where the pass rush remains one of the biggest areas of need on defense, the Pats could go in on a low-cost, high-reward option at the position.
What Would It Take To Get Kyle Van Noy To The Patriots?
The Ravens are normally not in the business of trading away 12.5 sack edge rushers from low-grade compensation.
But given Van Noy’s age and twelve seasons under his belt, it would perhaps benefit Baltimore to sell high on their core asset before his value quickly diminishes over the ensuing year.
And, importantly, the Ravens took a chance on elite but controversial edge rushing talent, Mike Green in the second round of the draft, halting his slide from the first round at pick 59, and still have more to get out of once highly regarded 2022 second round linebacker, David Ojabo.
Both of these players could help fill the role left by Van Noy opposite incumbent stater, Odafe Oweh.
Of course, Baltimore would like to keep Van Noy – and, in all likelihood will – but if an offer came along from a team like the Patriots that exceeded the team’s expectations for the ex BYU product’s valuation, it would not be shocking to see the Ravens bite.
New England Patriots receive: Kyle Van Noy
Baltimore Ravens receive: 2026 fifth round pick