kyle-van-noy.jpg

Kyle Van Noy's offseason performance, not his draft status, will determine his role in 2015.

(Mike Mulholland | MLive.com)

INDIANAPOLIS -- When the Detroit Lions drafted Kyle Van Noy in the second round last year, it was expected he would win the starting strongside linebacker job in training camp. Instead, his rookie campaign was derailed by a sports hernia, which sidelined him the first eight games of the season.

Van Noy finally debuted in Week 10, playing just two defensive snaps in Detroit's 20-16 win over the Miami Dolphins. His role remained limited throughout the year, splitting time with veteran Ashlee Palmer when the team was in its base 4-3 defensive package.

In total, Van Noy played 51 defensive snaps the final eight games of the year, recording six tackles.

With DeAndre Levy locked into the weakside spot, middle linebacker Stephen Tulloch still under contract and expected to be fully recovered from his ACL injury, and the emergence of Tahir Whitehead in his third season, it's unclear how much playing time Van Noy will see in 2015.

That's up to him, according to general manager Martin Mayhew.

"That's totally up to him," Mayhew said. "He could have a huge role if he has a great offseason and plays great. If he doesn't have a great offseason and doesn't play great, his role won't be as big."

Mayhew's comments echo the philosophy of coach Jim Caldwell, who aims to establish his depth chart via a meritocracy.

Mayhew referenced cornerback Darius Slay as a recent example of a young, talented player who struggled as a rookie, but dedicated himself to improving in the offseason by working with Hall of Fame defensive back Rod Woodson in the offseason.

Slay made a significant jump in his performance from year one to year two, something Mayhew would love to see with Van Noy.

Although he made sure to clarify he wasn't talking specifically about Van Noy, Mayhew said it's not uncommon for college superstars to struggle with the transition to the pro game, where they're often required to start from the bottom and work their way back up.

A decorated three-year starter at BYU, Van Noy always seemed to be around the football for the Cougars. He stuffed the stat sheet with 226 tackles, 26 sacks, 11 forced fumbles and seven interceptions during his college career.

However the depth chart shakes out, Mayhew is pleased with how the linebacking group he's assembled has developed.

"We've got a good group of guys there, a hard-working group, they get along well and have good coaching," Mayhew said. "Bill (Sheridan) does a good job with those guys.

"That's why we have the offseason, that's why we have training camp, that's why we have all those things, for guys to go out there and compete in those areas and see where the chips fall," Mayhew continued. "We have a group of guys, from Kyle Van Noy to Tahir, working their butt off to be great. I'm excited about watching that process."

-- Download the Detroit Lions MLive app for iPhone and Android

-- Follow Justin Rogers on Twitter

-- Like MLive's Detroit Lions Facebook page