Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst pointed to the athletic profile, positional versatility and growth potential of Lukas Van Ness as primary reasons why the Iowa edge rusher became the team’s first-round pick in the 2023 draft.
“Really excited about it. Big man. Powerful. Fast. Explosive. Really big upside, and we’re really excited to get him,” Gutekunst said after the first round on Thursday night.
Van Ness is 6-5 and in the 270-pound range. His Relative Athletic Score is 9.39 out of 10.0, meaning his size-athleticism ratio is in the 94th percentile for edge rushers. And the Packers like that Van Ness played both on the edge and inside and brought an “explosive nature” against the run and as a pass-rusher.
“He’s a very versatile player. That’s very important to us,” Gutekunst said. “He’s a different player than (Za’Darius Smith) was, but I think he’s going to be able to do a lot of that stuff. His best football is ahead of him. He is going to be a guy that can move inside and out.”
Van Ness could be the long-term edge-rusher partner of Rashan Gary, another highly athletic big man from the Big Ten who the Packers took at No. 12 overall and developed into an elite player.
“Both big, fast, long, powerful athletes. I think they will complement each other well,” Gutekunst said.
Despite not starting one game at Iowa as an underclassman, Van Ness produced 18.5 tackles for loss and 13.5 sacks over 27 games. Gutekunst said he played roughly 1,000 snaps over the last two seasons.
A combination of Van Ness’ talent and upside and the positional value of edge rusher helped get him to Green Bay.
“I think it was just how we had him rated. We very much believe in rushing the passer, and edge rusher is a very premium position for us,” Gutekunst said. “We were happy to take him at 13.”
Van Ness, 21, got a late start in football and then only played two seasons at Iowa, creating the profile of an ascending player who can grow and learn at the next level.
“He was a hockey guy growing up. He started playing in high school, so I think there’s a lot of growth in his game,” Gutekunst said. “The physical traits are all there for him to grow, so there’s no real limitation on him. But also, the versatility to win outside with speed and inside with power. There’s so much in front of him, and that’s where his best football will be.”
Gutekunst said he believes Van Ness will play right away.
“I would expect him to be out there helping us this year,” Gutekunst said.
The final piece of the puzzle was the person. Gutekunst saw Van Ness at the combine and the Iowa pro day and checked the last box.
“The character of the guy really checked out. He’s a culture guy for us. He’s a fit for us here. He’s a worker. It’s really important to him. That always gives you comfort. Whatever talent he has in his body, if he’ll work, he’ll get there.”
