Instant Takeaways: Packers select Iowa edge rusher Lukas Van Ness
By Paul Bretl
After acquiring the 13th selection in a pick swap with the New York Jets as part of the Aaron Rodgers’ trade, the Green Bay Packers used it to select Iowa edge rusher Lukas Van Ness. Here are my instant takeaways from that selection.
– Prior to the draft I created my Packers shortlist of first round options for Green Bay that consisted of five prospects and Van Ness was one of them. He is the prototypical edge rusher that the Packers covet. He’s got a bigger frame at 6’5” – 272 pounds, tested very well athletically with an elite Relative Athletic Score of 9.39, is just 21-years-old, and is versatile.
– Van Ness does not have a ton of experience, just 846 career snaps, according to PFF, and was never actually a true starter. But he had a highly productive 2022 season, logging 43 pressures and eight sacks. He ranked 11th among all edge rushers in PFF’s pass rush productivity metric.
– Against the run, Van Ness’ PFF grade of 79.5 ranked 30th out of 200 eligible edge rushers last season. As a position group, the Packers edge rushers have to improve against the run, particularly setting the edge.
– The Packers have shown that they prefer edge rushers who can kick inside in obvious passing situations. In recent years, we’ve seen them do this often with Rashan Gary and Za’Darius Smith. Van Ness, actually has more snaps lined up inside, with 468 in the B-gap and 246 as a traditional edge rusher.
– Adding to the edge rusher rotation was a must for the Packers. It’s one of the most important positions in football, and without Gary, this group very much underperformed last season, struggling to generate regular pressure on the quarterback. As a unit, the Green Bay defense ranked 23rd in total pressures last season. Van Ness will become an immediate member of that rotation.
– With Van Ness’ ability to play inside, he could also help bolster the interior defensive line position as well—another position where the Packers need help. They have only five interior defenders on the roster currently, three with NFL experience, and have to be more consistent in 2023.
– Van NES was on the field for 100 special teams snaps in 2022, playing primarily on the punt and field goal blocking units.
– The Packers had quite a few options on the board when they were picking. Along with Van Ness, Christian Gonzalez, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Broderick Jones, and Myles Murphy were all available.
– For a closer look at what Van Ness can bring to the Packers, here is what Lance Zierlein of NFL.com wrote:
"“Nicknamed “Hercules” by teammates, Van Ness is a well-developed defensive end with excellent lean mass and additional growth still to come. He’s a power-centric prospect with force as his modus operandi as both a run defender and pass rusher. Van Ness needs to work on hand attacks for quicker block shedding and to diversify his rush beyond bull-rush challenges. He’s taken snaps inside at Iowa but might need to keep filling out his frame before he’s ready to succeed as a run stuffer and pass rusher as a 4i in a 3-4 front. Van Ness is more of a splash player than consistent force on tape, but he possesses projectable traits that should allow for continued ascension as a pro.“"