Las Vegas Raiders: Kyle Van Noy a perfect fit in many ways

Kyle Van Noy can provide Raiders with much needed veteran leadership

The Las Vegas Raiders had a very young defense in 2020 with several key positions such as cornerback, safety, and defensive end being filled by rookies or second-year players. Players like Maxx Crosby, Clelin Ferrell, and Johnathan Abram were asked to take on leadership roles, and as some players have admitted in the offseason, there was a leadership vacuum on the defensive side of the ball.

Bringing in Kyle Van Noy solves that problem relatively quickly as he is a player with the talent and resume that would earn him plenty of respect in the Raiders locker room. Van Noy is a two-time Super Bowl champion with the New England Patriots and was recently a captain in Miami, so he has the credentials and leadership ability so young players will listen when he talks.

Van Noy could step in and immediately become the veteran leader of the defense and use his seven years of experience and lengthy playoff resume to show the young Raiders what it really takes to win. He will be just 30 years old when the season kicks off, so he has the experience, but can also still contribute and be a difference-maker on the field.

Van Noy helped lead a massive turnaround in Miami as they went from 32nd in points allowed in 2019 to sixth in 2020 and could help do the same in Las Vegas.