Detroit traded Kyle Van Noy and a 2017 seventh-round pick to…
Detroit traded Kyle Van Noy and a 2017 seventh-round pick to New England for a 2017 sixth-rounder that became Brad Kaaya. Van Noy quickly found a larger role in the Patriots defense, became a multi-year starter and contributed to championship teams. Kaaya never became a Detroit solution, and the Lions received essentially no lasting return. New England's acquisition became a textbook fit-and-development success.
Detroit Lions Received
- pick 2017 6th round pick (215th overall, Brad Kaaya)
New England Patriots Received
- player Kyle Van Noy
- pick 2017 7th round pick (239th overall subsequently traded, Noah Brown)
Trade Analysis
What Changed Hands
Detroit traded linebacker Kyle Van Noy and a 2017 seventh-round selection to New England in October 2016 for a 2017 sixth-round pick. The sixth-rounder landed at No. 215, where Detroit selected quarterback Brad Kaaya. New England received Van Noy plus the later No. 239 selection, which the Patriots subsequently moved in another draft transaction.
Why New England Won
Van Noy became the centerpiece and made the draft-pick difference almost irrelevant. After arriving in New England, he grew into a versatile linebacker who could play on the edge, handle off-ball responsibilities and stay on the field in important situations. He became a regular starter during the Patriots' championship window and contributed to teams that won Super Bowls LI and LIII. New England extracted the kind of role and production Detroit had not been able to unlock consistently.
How the Return Aged
Detroit's sixth-round payoff never counterbalanced that loss. Kaaya did not become the Lions' quarterback answer and was gone before establishing a meaningful role. New England's included seventh-rounder was later part of another transaction, so there was additional asset flexibility beyond Van Noy himself. The trade also became a strong example of scheme fit changing a player's trajectory: Detroit moved a former second-round pick at a discount, and New England immediately found a more valuable use for him.
Final Verdict
New England earns an A+ and Detroit an F. Van Noy became a multi-year starter and championship contributor, while Detroit's return produced essentially no retained value. New England Patriots Win.