The Patriots were active on the phones on Tuesday swinging a pair of trades with both the Detroit Lions and the Denver Broncos.
The Patriots shipped a 2017 6th round draft pick to the Detroit Lions for a 7th Round pick of Detroit as well as LB Kyle Van Noy. They then traded TE A.J. Derby to the Denver Broncos for a 5th round draft pick in the 2017 NFL Draft.
Van Noy (26), was a second-round pick by Detroit in the 2014 NFL Draft. He has since logged 35 total tackles, one sack and one pass deflection in 30 games with the Lions.
He is having his best season and has played in all seven of the Lions’ games in 2016, with 23 tackles. He played SAM (strong side linebacker) for Detroit. When he came out in the draft a few years ago, his scouting report had this to say about him.
Good-sized, athletic, smooth-moving stand-up player who projects best as a 3-4 right outside linebacker, but could also warrant consideration from 4-3 teams as a Will or Sam. Is not without flaws, but has unique ability to play up the field, laterally or in reverse.
It isn’t known how the Patriots will use him but with a series of injuries at the linebacker position in recent weeks, he will bring depth to the position.
The Derby trade is a head scratcher because the Patriots now no longer have a backup tight end for Rob Gronkowski and Martellus Bennett now on the roster. And to help out a team that is your direct competitor in the AFC in Denver is even more curious.
Derby is in his second year with the Patriots but missed all of 2015 with an injury. The 6’5, 255-pound former QB had made a good transition to tight end and had some good moments during the preseason.
“A.J. has had a solid and pretty consistent several months for us here, going all the way back to the spring, to the offseason program, to (organized team activities), minicamp, training camp,” Patriots head coach Bill Belichick said back during preseason.
Derby appeared in four games this season but logged no stats.
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A former US Army Special Forces NCO and Officer, Steve has been following the Patriots since their days at Fenway Park. Steve has worked in the film industry and wrote as an Military Editor at SpecialOperations.com, 1945.com as a reporter for the Millbury Daily Voice, Millbury-Sutton Chronicle, and the Grafton News. He's also a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA)
