The Green Bay Packers are getting their first look at the team’s 2023 draft class during organized team activities. The Packers will have plenty of new faces to mesh with the returning veterans, but one player in particular is already standing out.
Green Bay’s first-round pick Lukas Van Ness has caught the eye of his defensive line colleagues. The Iowa product has a variety of traits that should translate into his ascent to becoming a premier pass rusher in the NFL.
Iowa EDGE Lukas Van Ness is headed to the Packers at No. 13 ???? pic.twitter.com/fmVzp3SouB
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) April 28, 2023
Kenny Clark is entering his seventh season with Green Bay. A key cog in the Packers’ pass rush, Clark has seen plenty of talented players come and go. When Clark speaks people listen.
That is why his praise for Van Ness should be taken seriously.
“He’s going to be great for us,” Clark said about Van Ness. “He’s going to be versatile, play a lot of different spots. He’s big and strong, so I think he can play inside, playing the 5 (tech), playing the 3 (tech) inside, and pass rush.”
“He’s still agile enough to go out and play on the edge. Versatile guy, big and strong, he’s fast on the ball, and he has a good long-arm from what I’ve seen training with him.”
Van Ness tallied 10.5 sacks in his junior year at Iowa last season. He established himself as one of the best pass rushers in college, making plenty of extra money along the way.
If Van Ness can make an instant impact on Green Bay’s defense, he will have a great opportunity to make even more cash in the coming years.
More importantly, an effective Van Ness should translate into a top 10 defense for the Packers in 2023.
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