Should the Las Vegas Raiders target linebacker Kyle Van Noy?

The Miami Dolphins were the winners of the offseason last year, not only stealing cornerback Bryon Jones from several teams, most notably the Las Vegas Raiders, but signing outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy to a massive four-year/$51 million deal with $30 million guaranteed away from the New England Patriots.

Head coach Brian Flores named Van Noy a captain for this past season and was one of the prized offseason acquisitions.

Yet, just one offseason later, the Dolphins are looking to dump Van Noy in a trade or just a straight-up release if a trade partner isn’t found, which is most likely since their intentions are known, ESPN’s Dolphins reporter Cameron Wolfe was first with the report.

Obviously, Van Noy wasn’t very happy learning this news he came out with a statement of his own.

After being drafted by the Detroit Lions in 2014 in the second round, Van Noy struggled the first two seasons of his career, but he found a home in 2016 with the Patriots. Van Noy would go on to make a household name for himself after collecting 15.5 sacks in just two and a half seasons with the team.

He then earned his big-money contract from the Dolphins last year.

In 13 games played during the 2020 season, Van Noy had six sacks, which would’ve doubled Nicholas Morrow’s three sacks as the second-leading Raider, to go along with 69 tackles, 48 of them solo.

He was not only voted a captain by his new teammates but was a vocal leader on and off the field, which is something the Raiders were clearly lacking on defense this past season, so should the Raiders pursue Kyle Van Noy this offseason?

Should the Raiders target Kyle Van Noy this offseason?

I do believe the Las Vegas Raiders should have Van Noy high up on their priority list, even if he isn’t the most natural fit in Gus Bradley’s system.  The Raiders should only pursue him if he becomes a free agent though, as he still has three years left on his deal and a $12 million per year price tag attached to his name.

I’m hoping after getting a bag last offseason he will take a lower per year average this season before committing to a team long-term next year when the salary cap should normalize.

There are going to be many defensive players the Raiders need to inquire about this offseason, but a lot of them are going to be looking for high-priced contracts, like defensive tackle Leonard Williams, and defensive end Yannick Ngakoue. With salary cap questions, and the Raiders needing to open up some space to improve the defense, Mike Mayock is going to have to figure out what to do with contracts like Lamarcus Joyner and Trent Brown.

Van Noy will bring the toughness, leadership, accountability, and talent to the Raiders defense that is so desperately needed with all these young players, not only on the defensive line but all along the defense.  The Raiders prized offseason acquisition last year, linebacker Cory Littleton was a disappointment, and Nick Kwiatkoski started to earn his paycheck after returning from an early pectoral injury.

The Raiders just brought back undrafted free-agent defensive tackle Kendal Vickers on a one-year deal, and need a veteran that can not only talk the talk but can also walk the walk, and I believe Kyle Van Noy May just be that guy.