2014 NFL Draft: BYU LB Kyle Van Noy On the Denver Broncos Radar

Oct 4, 2013; Logan, UT, USA; Brigham Young Cougars linebacker Kyle Van Noy (3) waits for the Utah State Aggies to snap the ball during the first quarter at Romney Stadium. Brigham Young Cougars defeated the Utah State Aggies 31-14. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports

With rumors howling Thursday morning, it’s important to sift through the garbage and find something that actually makes sense.

On Wednesday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported something John Elway told us with his own mouth, that the Broncos are looking into the option of trading up. They are also looking at their options of trading down, especially if a QB falls to their pick.

Either way, of interesting note is that if Denver moves up, most people believe it will be for one of the top linebackers in this draft, meaning either C.J. Mosley or Ryan Shazier.

If the Broncos stay put, they could still take a linebacker. One player that has been mentioned for Denver but not a ton is BYU’s Kyle Van Noy, a versatile defender who stayed at BYU for a senior season after he had an explosive finish to his junior campaign.

According to Troy Renck of the Denver Post, Van Noy is on the Broncos’ “radar.”

We don’t have knowledge of every pre-draft visit players made to the Mile High City, but since we know both Ohio State’s Ryan Shazier and Alabama’s C.J. Mosley visited, it’s likely Van Noy made his way into Denver as well.

He doesn’t have ‘elite’ athleticism but he’s very fluid, has great instincts, reacts to the play better than most prospects, and has a knack for getting his hands on the football and making plays in the backfield.

If you combine what Van Noy brings to the table with what the Broncos have added in free agency and are getting back from injury, the option of adding him is very enticing indeed. And I don’t think the Broncos would have to move up from their 31st pick to get him either.