The Green Bay Packers used the 13th overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft to select Iowa edge rusher Lukas Van Ness, a hulking outside linebacker who fills a need at a premium position.
Here’s our instant analysis of the Packers taking Van Ness in the first round:
Zach Kruse
Packers pick all day. Van Ness is 21 years old, plays a premium position and tested like an elite athlete, checking all the important boxes for the Packers in the first round. He’ll immediately slide into a developmental edge rusher role behind Rashan Gary and Preston Smith while providing incredible long-term stability at one of the most important positions in the sport. Gary and Van Ness, two elite athletes with an incredible power, could be a suffocating edge rusher duo. Having Gary and Smith ahead of him will provide a similar developmental pathway as Gary once enjoyed during his first two NFL seasons. Premium assets need to be spent on premium positions with huge upside, and that’s what the Packers accomplished here with Van Ness, who could be a Trey Hendrickson-type player at the NFL level.
Brennen Rupp
The Packers needed to address the pass rush and Lukas Van Ness will give the pass rush a much-needed jolt. Nicknamed Hercules, Van Ness is a physical specimen. He’s a powerful edge rusher that owns a devasting bull rush. Despite not being a starter, Van Ness recorded 74 pressured and 13 sacks over the past two seasons.
Brandon Carwile
A lot of people probably wanted Jaxon Smith-Njigba, but we knew the Packers were going to stick to their board. Lukas Van Ness was likely the best player available in Green Bay’s eyes, and he also plays a position they highly covet. He’s a physical specimen with a chance to play early thanks to his flexibility to play outside and kick inside.
Paul Bretl
This was a very Packers pick. Van Ness is 21, plays a premier position that the Packers have to upgrade, is versatile, has a big frame, and tested very well athletically. He has the ability to lineup inside and out, and will become an immediate member of the Green Bay edge rusher rotation.
