2014 NFL mock draft: Vikings select Kyle Van Noy

With the 40th pick in Pride Of Detroit's 2014 NFL mock draft, the Minnesota Vikings select BYU outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy. Separateunion is serving as the Vikings' general manager, and his reasoning for the pick is below.

If I'm the Vikings (which I am), I'm rushing to the podium with this one. Kyle Van Noy is still available? Are you kidding me? I'm so excited I feel like I'm about to channel my inner Gruden.

In my mind, Van Noy is a mid-first round talent. He's got a high motor and good instincts, two of the most important traits in a defender. He's a versatile linebacker who will bring game-changing ability and much needed impact plays to a defense that ranked 31st in yards per game and pass yards per game and 32nd in points allowed per game in 2013. While he ran a pedestrian 4.71 in the 40-yard dash, Van Noy looks much faster on tape. Considering the Vikings' current linebacking corps consists of Chad Greenway, Jasper Brinkley and six other guys who have combined for a career total of 91 tackles and 1 turnover, Van Noy fills a huge need as well.

I did consider secondary help here since the Vikings' back seven was so bad last year, but they have a couple of solid pieces in Xavier Rhodes and Harrison Smith, plus they added Captain Munnerlyn. I just feel that with Van Noy being BPA and linebacker being such a huge need, he was the best fit here.

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Check out the 2014 POD Community Mock Draft tracker for a look at all of the picks.