The Associated Press’ NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year has been awarded since 1967. Only one time has it gone to a member of the Green Bay Packers, with Willie Buchanon in 1972.
Lukas Van Ness will be the Packers’ latest first-round defender to take a shot at being the best Year 1 defender in the NFL. In opening odds at FanDuel Sportsbook, he is +1400. Will Anderson, who went third overall to the Houston Texans, is the favorite at +340.
Van Ness had 13.5 sacks in two seasons at Iowa. He played mostly defensive tackle in 2021 and mostly on the edge in 2022.
“Quite frankly, he’s pretty good both ways,” Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said.
The Packers couldn’t pass on Van Ness’ potential to deliver instant impact while having high upside.
“Production’s important. There’s no doubt about it and, in Lukas’ case, he was very productive,” Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst said. “I think in his snaps, I think he had 46 pressures and 7.5 sacks and he’s produced in his opportunities.
“I think you grow as a pass rusher when you come into the National Football League. The tackles in this league and the guards in this league are very, very good. At some point, you have to have some kind of physical trait to beat a guy. Just like Rashan (Gary), Lukas has those.”
Here are the odds for the first eight defenders selected.
Will Anderson, edge, Texans – Picked: First defender. Odds: +340.
Devon Witherspoon, CB, Seahawks – Picked: Second defender. Odds: +1100
Tyree Wilson, edge, Raiders – Picked: Third defender. Odds: +750
Jalen Carter, DT, Eagles – Picked: Fourth defender. Odds: +600.
Lukas Van Ness, edge, Packers – Picked: Fifth defender. Odds: +1400.
Will McDonald, edge, Jets – Picked: Sixth defender. Odds: +2500
Emmanuel Forbes, CB, Commanders – Picked: Seventh defender. Odds: +1700
Christian Gonzalez, CB, Patriots – Picked: Eighth defender. Odds: +1100
None of Green Bay’s other defensive selections – linemen Colby Wooden and Karl Brooks and defensive backs Carrington Valentine and Anthony Johnson – have odds posted.
Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch, who the Packers could have had at No. 45 before trading that pick to their division rival, is +2300, the 12th-shortest odds.
Georgia produced three of the top 18 with Carter, edge rusher Nolan Smith (first round, Eagles, +2200) and cornerback Kelee Ringo (fourth round, +3300).
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