In 2020, the Green Bay Packers used one of their two first-round picks on Michigan defensive lineman Rashan Gary. Gary, a former top high school recruit, brought with him a plethora of untapped potential. While at Michigan, Gary was utilized as a hand-in-the-dirt defensive lineman, a position that didn’t come close to showcasing the power and speed that Gary possesses. But his talents were too much for Brian Gutekunst to bypass. Gutekunst bet on the potential, and that bet that has paid off big for the Packers. Fast forward to the 2023 NFL Draft, and it appears that Gutekunst is making another bet on a talented untapped pass rusher. Gutekunst and the Packers are hoping that Lukas Van Ness can do what Gary has done for the Green Bay Packers pass rush.
Green Bay Packers Banking on Lukas Van Ness and His Potential
The expectation was that Gutekunst would provide his handpicked quarterback, Jordan Love, with some offensive weapons. But Gutekunst had other ideas. Instead, Gutekunst used the Green Bay Packers first-round pick, 13th overall, on a part-time collegiate defensive lineman.
But don’t let the part-time title fool you. Yes, Van Ness wasn’t a starter at the University of Iowa, but he produced in his part-time role. He put up very solid numbers as a non-starter for the Hawkeyes. Those numbers no doubt grabbed the attention of Gutekunst and his scouting staff. However, those weren’t the numbers that no doubt floored Gutekunst.
Potential and Upside Too Much to Pass Up
Since taking over as the Packers general manager, Brian Gutekunst has put an emphasis on ability and upside when it comes to scouting prospects. He has been consistent in what he looks for in an NFL prospect. Gutekunst isn’t looking for a player who has hit his ceiling. Instead, he is looking for a player that the Packers coaching staff can develop and get the most out of as a professional.
Lukas Van Ness, as a rotational defensive lineman at Iowa, posted 19 tackles for loss and 13 sacks in his two seasons (he redshirted his first season). For a rotational player, those numbers are exceptional. While the numbers are impressive, there are other numbers that made up Gutekunst’s mind.
At 6′-5″ and weighing 272 pounds, Van Ness has the body of a Greek God. In fact, he was nicknamed Hercules while at Iowa. But he isn’t just a big body, he has surprisingly high-end athletic ability, something you don’t find in a player his size.
The former high school hockey player ran a 4.58 (at 272 pounds no less) in the forty-yard dash, a 1.64 in the 10-yard split, and had a 31-inch vertical jump. All numbers are unexpected for a player his size.
Since taking over as general manager, Gutekunst has put an emphasis on players that have high RAS scores. These scores help determine what type of overall athletic ability a prospect possesses. For Van Ness, he posted an eye-popping 9.39. That score puts him in the upper-echelon category for EDGE prospects. In regards to prospects, Lukas Van Ness fits everything Gutekunst and his staff are looking for.
Another BIG addition to the #Packers front 7.
Lukas Van Ness, welcome to Green Bay! pic.twitter.com/vlFqUJPLso
— Eli Berkovits (@BookOfEli_NFL) April 28, 2023
Development Time Might be Short
While there is no doubt that the expected plan is to take Lukas Van Ness along slowly, it might not be possible though. EDGE was a need for the Packers heading into the draft and there is a reason for that.
Gary suffered a torn ACL midway through 2022, He isn’t expected to return to the lineup no early than midseason. That leaves the Packers with veteran Preston Smith, second-year player Kingsley Enagbare, and veteran Justin Hollins as the top pass rusher. Smith stepped up in Gary’s absence last season but at 30 years old how much he has left in the tank is a question. Engabare and Hollins are both nice rotational pieces, but neither comes close to Gary’s ability.
If Van Ness is as explosive as Gutekunst believes he is, the Packers might be forced to use him right away, possibly starting in Gary’s absence. Gutekunst believes that defensive coordinator Joe Barry might be able to utilize Van Ness similar to how they once used Za’Darius Smith. Lining him up both inside and outside. That ability will make it difficult to keep him on the bench.
Comparison to Smith Njigba
Now, for you that think Brian Gutekunst walks on water and should never be questioned, you might want to skip over this part. While Lukas Van Ness has a lot of potential and fills a need for the Packers, his selection does have some questions linked to it.
When the Packers came on the clock, along with Van Ness, wide receiver Jaxon Smith Njigba was still available. If Gutekunst would have selected him, Gutekunst would have given Love another weapon. Smith Njigba would have joined Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs to give Love three outstanding weapons at wide receiver.
Instead, Gutekunst once again bypassed a chance to improve the Green Bay Packers offense, something he has done frequently since taking over as the general manager. He did address the wide receiver position in the second round by selecting Jayden Reed out of Michigan State. But Reed doesn’t come close to matching Smith Njigba’s ability.
As a first-round selection, Van Ness will have a lot of pressure on him. But now, he will be compared to Smith Njigba and what he does as an NFL wide receiver. Gutekunst chose to go with the riskier pick but one with a higher ceiling. For Packers fans, here is hoping Van Ness can become the same type of player Rashan Gary has become.
Main Photo: Kirby Lee – USA Today Sports
