Lukas Van Ness Facing Make-or-Break Season

Lukas Van Ness As a Prospect

In the 2023 NFL Draft, the Packers selected Van Ness with the 13th overall pick. The Iowa product was viewed as a raw prospect with high upside IF he can tap into his potential.

This pick arrived similarly to Rashan Gary, who led a similar college career at Michigan and became an asset to Green Bay’s defense.

LVN’s physical attributes speak for themselves, standing at six feet five inches and weighing around 270 pounds.

His combine performance was excellent, showcasing his exciting speed and strength. His teammates cleverly nicknamed him “Hercules,” and it was clear to see why.

Van Ness is a guy that you look at and you say, “football player.” If this were a pickup game of football, he’d be the first pick.

But that was seemingly all to know about the Hawkeye. In two years at Iowa, he totaled 13.5 sacks, 20 tackles for loss, and 71 total tackles.

Not bad, but not outstanding either. Now, if you were playing pickup football and picking based on stat sheets, he wouldn’t jump out at you.

Most of his weaknesses were placed on a similar level. Areas that require education, improvement, and development.

If he could put together some consistent skills, other than bull rushing, he’d be a force to be reckoned with.

Sure, bull rushing is great in college, but transferring to the next level is difficult with that mojo.

His prospect grade from Next Gen Stats was 6.40, meaning he “should become a good starter within two years.”

Now two years have passed, and his third year leaves little to be excited about. He hasn’t started a single game for the Packers, who are in need of a pass rush threat. There couldn’t be a better time for him to break out.

What We’ve Seen So Far

In his two years, he has totaled seven sacks, 65 total tackles, and 14 tackles for loss.

These aren’t bad stats by any means, but there’s more to be desired from your former first-round pick.

He’s showing improvement when he does find his way into the game, but there’s not much more patience left.

With two years of experience, the 24-year-old has the tools he needs to succeed, but now it’s a matter of putting the pieces together.

He’s a great candidate to be a breakout player, but he’s just as likely to be a bust candidate and a blemish on Brian Gutekunst’s drafting record.

Facing a ‘do or die’ year, he could prove to be just what the team needs to take the next step.

Or he may just become another player that could’ve been.