Reviewing Packers 2023 Draft Class: Edge Rusher Lukas Van Ness

Over the next week or two, I will be taking a closer look at all 13 members of the Green Bay Packers 2023 draft class.

In these articles, I will be diving into the measurements and stats you need to know. Along with each prospect’s fit with the Packers, quotes from Brian Gutekunst and Co., and some pre-draft scouting reports as well.

Up first is the Packers’ first-round pick, Iowa edge rusher Lukas Van Ness.

Lukas Van Ness

Measurements

6’5″ | 272 | RAS: 9.39

Everything about Van Ness screams Green Bay Packer. He has the bigger frame and length with 34″ arms that the Packers covet at edge rusher, and he tested very well, posting an elite Relative Athletic score. Van Ness is also just 21 years old as well.

Stats to Know

Van Ness began his career at Iowa as an interior defender before primarily playing edge rusher in 2022, although he would still line up inside. Van Ness finished his career with 246 snaps as a traditional edge rusher and 468 from the B-gap. In his most recent season, Van Ness recorded 43 pressures and eight sacks while ranking 24th in PFF’s run defense grade. Although Van Ness was never a true starter at Iowa, he totaled nearly 1,000 snaps between the 2021 and 2022 seasons.

Fit with Packers

The Packers’ lack of depth at the edge rusher position was exposed last season when Rashan Gary went down with an ACL injury. From Week 10 on, this group struggled to create regular pressure and, for the season, ranked 23rd in total pressures generated. Van Ness will become an immediate member of this edge rusher rotation and will fill a similar role to that of Za’Darius Smith with his ability to kick inside and rush on passing downs.

Van Ness wins with power as a pass rusher, with his objective to go from point A to point B in a straight line, regardless of who is in his way. This skill set and willingness to go head-to-head with blockers can make him an effective run defender as well–another area where the Packers’ edge rushing unit has to improve.

As a rookie behind Preston and Za’Darius Smith, Gary played about 300 snaps during that 2019 season. Van Ness should see more with his ability to also play inside, and also hold up against the run, not to mention that with Gary potentially missing some time still recovering from his ACL injury, there could be extra snaps to go around early on.

Brain Gutekunst said it:

"“Big man. Powerful. Fast. Explosive. Really big upside. We were excited to get him.“He’s a very versatile player, which was important to us. He’s a different player than Z was, but he is going to be able to do a lot of the same things as far as we used to move Z inside and rushing. I think his best football is ahead of him. He’s a guy that’s going to move inside and out.”"

What the scouting report says:

"“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.” – Lance Zierlien, NFL.com"