Packers draft Lukas Van Ness 13th: The good, the bad, the grade
The 2023 NFL Draft board fell exactly as the Green Bay Packers had hoped. With the top wide receiver in Jaxon Smith-Njiba on the board…the Packers went with outside linebacker Lukas Van Ness out of Iowa.
Van Ness is a versatile outside linebacker who can line up outside or slide inside to the defensive line. Green Bay has needs at both positions.
It’s a major surprise considering wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba was still on the board and Green Bay has a significant need at wide receiver. Nonetheless, Green Bay went with Van Ness as a long-term prospect. Let’s check out the good, the bad and the grade for this selection.
The Green Bay Packers surprisingly used the 13th overall draft pick outside linebacker Lukas Van Ness in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
The Good
This is a high-ceiling selection for Green Bay. He isn’t anywhere close to a finished product, but he could become a significant contributor.
Van Ness has all the tools to be successful in the NFL, but will need some time to put it together. He’s a raw prospect with ideal NFL size. He’s not yet 22-years-old and has the frame and talent to become a big-time contributor.
The Bad
The most obvious “bad” is that Smith-Njigba was still on the clock. This is classic Packers’ as they once again ignore the wide receiver position with their top pick. Smith-Njigba doesn’t have the highest ceiling, but he has a high floor. He fits perfectly with Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs, but Green Bay went another direction.
Van Ness was likely going to be available much later in the draft. Green Bay could’ve easily traded down and still landed this prospect. He certainly wasn’t worth swapping with the Jets and moving up two spots to grab. He never started for Iowa and wasn’t a big sack guy.
The Grade
It won’t be fair to compare Van Ness’s first-year contributions to Smith-Njiba. They are two very different type of players. Nonetheless, where Van Ness is set up to become a long-term contributor, Smith-Njigba could’ve helped Jordan Love establish some early confidence and skill. I’m not sure that’s worth the payoff. Obviously, time will tell, but this is a questionable pick at best.
Grade: B