Speaking on AFL.com.au's new panel show Footy Focus, Lyon dismissed suggestions Swan's pre-season dramas would affect his performance.
The midfielder made headlines last week for an unauthorised interview with Channel 9 which resulted in a club-imposed fine.
Despite the distractions, Lyon believes Swan is primed for a big year.
"I've tipped him to win the Brownlow Medal," Lyon told Footy Focus.
"I think he's got that look about him. He runs to the beat of his own drum, of course."
Swan took out the Brownlow Medal in 2011, and Lyon insists the 29-year-old's form is still elite.
"A poor year? He came third in the Copeland Trophy, to [add to] his other three Copelands he's already won and a Brownlow Medal? I mean, I wouldn't mind having his supposedly poor form.
"To me he looks a bit hungrier. I know he's been in the news in recent times, but I think he's set for another big year."
Swan has made it well known that football is not the only thing in his life, and Lyon believes that gives him something extra.
"We can't all be Nathan Buckley clones, that just live, eat, breathe and sleep it. If you tried to take his outside stuff away from him, I think his form would suffer. I like the individuals in the game, and he's the biggest one."
