Green Bay Packers rookie edge rusher and first-round pick Lukas Van Ness is more comfortable now a few weeks into training camp, but like any first-year player, he is navigating the learning curve that comes with making the jump to the NFL.
“I feel a lot more comfortable,” said Van Ness after Tuesday’s practice. “Two weeks in the preseason, I think we got about 10 – 15 practices under my belt. Every day is another opportunity to get a little more comfortable. Learn the system. Try some new plays out. Just day to day.”
From Van Ness’ first practice rep during rookie minicamp a few months ago, it was easy to see the burst and power he possesses. There have been several instances where he has put blockers on skates, including Yosh Nijman, Josiah Deguara, and most recently, Rasheed Walker, driving them into the backfield.
This ability as a power rusher is where Van Ness thrives—going from point A to point B in a straight line. However, there is also a rawness to his game as well, something that has also been evident. At the NFL level, Van Ness cannot run through every offensive tackle he lines up against and will need to develop a secondary pass-rush move.
He also needs a better plan of attack as a pass rusher. In his hastiness to get after the quarterback, there have been instances where he has lost where the ball is or run into his own teammate. Van Ness is still relatively new to the edge rusher position, having spent the majority of his snaps at Iowa lined up as an interior defender before making the official position change his final season.
“Just been transitioning,” said Van Ness. “Coming from Iowa where I have my hand in the ground and getting used to that two-point stance.
“Just vision, and learning what’s coming,” added Van Ness. “Having recognition. There’s different times you can get in that three point, but it’s just it different for me, getting comfortable, but more than anything, having vision, having an understanding of what you’re getting.”
In 28 pass-rush snaps this preseason, the sixth-most on the team, Van Ness has accumulated two total pressures, according to PFF, along with two stops in the run game.
In practices, Van Ness has had stretches, like on Tuesday, where he was able to make plays, getting into the backfield. He’s also had stretches where he’s been relatively quiet. He has seen his share of snaps with the starting defense over the summer, an opportunity to get him valuable reps, but where exactly he fits into this edge rusher rotation is still a bit unknown.
It’s quite possible that he could be the fifth member of that rotation, behind Rashan Gary, Preston Smith, an emerging JJ Enagbare, and the steady veteran presence that Justin Hollins brings. Van Ness’ rookie season could end up looking somewhat similar to Gary’s, who played just over 20 percent of the team’s defensive snaps in his first year. We’ve seen this blueprint from the Packers before.
However, even if that’s the case, Van Ness will have a role on this team as a rookie, which will most likely come during obvious passing situations where he can just go and get the quarterback. Green Bay has also used him quite often this preseason on stunts in an effort to give him a free run at the quarterback, and although we haven’t seen it yet, GM Brian Gutekunst mentioned after the draft that Van Ness could be used as a stand up pass rusher over the center on passing downs, just as they did with Za’Darius Smith.
“This is part of the sport we play,” said Van Ness. “It’s alright to feel some nerves and want to go out there to make some plays. But more than anything, just go out there with the mentality you want to affect the game any way possible, and if we do that, those plays will come to you. I’m not worried or overwhelmed by any means to go out and make plays. I just know if I keep my routine, go out there, and work hard, it will come.”
Where Van Ness is at currently shouldn’t be all that surprising. During the pre-draft process, it was well-known that he was a power pass rusher with elite physical traits who was also a bit raw from a technique standpoint. But with his athletic traits, he also has a very high ceiling, playing one of the game’s most important positions. Although he is feeling more comfortable a few weeks into practice and is flashing his pass rush ability, like many rookies, he is still navigating the learning curve that comes with making the leap to the NFL.
“I’m just here to help out and help the team win any way possible,” added Van Ness.
