2015 Detroit Lions Training Camp: Top 7 Players with the Most to Prove

Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

4. Kyle Van Noy

Kyle Van Noy may be entering just his second season as a Detroit Lion, but many feel that the pressure is already on this young man to perform.

When the Lions traded up in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft to select Van Noy out of BYU, the plan was seemingly for him to start right out of the gate. Plans quickly changed however and Van Noy would suffer an abdominal injury in training camp last season.

The injury would keep Van Noy out of action for eight weeks. Not exactly the start everyone had hoped for.

With the injury shortened season behind him, the focus now changes to 2015 — and there are expectations once again entering this season.

Also at SLR: Will Kyle Van Noy Have an Impact in 2015?

There is no doubt, the Lions drafted Van Noy to be the teams starter and that’s exactly what they want him to be when healthy.

A positive for Van Noy with camp quickly approaching is that he has reportedly added seven pounds to his already muscular frame. The advantage in this is that Van Noy will be competing, along with Tahir Whitehead, for the teams starting SAM linebacker role. That means that he will spend a good deal of time on the line of scrimmage, likely matching up against powerful defensive ends.

This could prove pivotal in the sense that Van Noy often looked overmatched against opposing blockers in the 51 snaps he did play last season — registering just six tackles along the way.

Next: 3. Quandre Diggs