The Green Bay Packers selected Lukas Van Ness with the 13th overall pick in the NFL draft. The Packers add another talented edge to the defense that looks to have a better year in 2023. What does he bring to the team? The Lukas Van Ness scouting report shows what kind of player the Packers are getting.
Green Bay Packers: Lukas Van Ness Scouting Report
The knock that many people have on Van Ness is that he did not start for the Iowa Hawkeyes in 2022. However, he still led the Hawkeyes with 11 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, and 38 tackles in 13 games. Interestingly enough, he also was tied for sixth nationally with two kicks blocked (Rich Bisaccia has to be happy about this one).
Strengths
-Wide alignment allows the creation of bull-rush momentum. Watch below the bull rush on Van Ness.
Here is every single one-on-one matchup of new Packers DE Lukas Van Ness (#91) against first round draft picks Paris Johnson Jr. and Peter Skoronski. pic.twitter.com/qWS2qEdd8o
— Daire Carragher (@DaireCarragher) April 30, 2023
This is against other tackles that were taken in the first run. Van Ness has shown the ability to overpower tackles and disrupt the quarterback. Even if he doesn’t get to the quarterback, he throws off the timing with his presence.
-Sees runner and disengages to tackle with timing. This is an underrated skill. Anyone can go after the quarterback but Van Ness shows good ability to disengage.
Lukas Van Ness is a great combination of current production and future upside
• Explosive twitch athleticism like the Watts
• Led the Hawkeyes in sacks (13.5 last 2 years)
• Packers viewed his profile similar to Rashan Gary coming out@lukas_vanness pic.twitter.com/GExnUFOD92— IKE Packers Podcast (@IKE_Packers) April 28, 2023
-Agility helps to corral mobile quarterbacks. His athleticism is off the charts. Look at him chase down this quarterback near the goal line.
Hell yeah Lukas Van Ness #13 to Green Bay pic.twitter.com/Y5tewrZags
— Heavens! (@HeavensFX) April 28, 2023
In a league of mobile quarterbacks, having an edge that can help corral them is essential.
Weaknesses
Van Ness is a raw prospect. He will need some coaching on his hands and his finishing ability. His pass-rush moves are there but are often slow and offensive tackles can react to them easily. The comparison has been Rashan Gary when he came out of college. That turned out pretty well and the Packers are convinced they can coach those weaknesses.
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The Green Bay Packers look to have another dominant edge on their hands. If he can develop, he and Gary will be a formidable pass-rush duo for years to come. I also would not be surprised to see him make some plays on special teams this year. Van Ness is going to be a fun player to watch in 2023.
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