Hopes were high for linebacker Lukas Van Ness to be an impactful player for the Green Bay Packers when they spent a high pick to get him in the 2023 NFL draft. Selected 13th overall in that year’s draft, Van Ness has been pedestrian on the field through his first two seasons in the league.
There is a learning curve in the pros, and it’s different for each player. Van Ness could just be taking a little longer to finally feel comfortable about his role on the team, especially since the Packers moved from a 3-4 front to a 4-3 base in the 2024 campaign, which got the former Iowa Hawkeyes star sliding to more of a defensive end role from being an outside linebacker during his rookie season in 2023.
In addition, Van Ness also dealt with a thumb issue last season. He played in all 17 games, but that finger injury slowed him down, as he received just a53.8 overall grade from Pro Football Focus.
Green Bay Packers, Luka Van Ness
Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis (8) is sacked by Green Bay Packers defensive end Lukas Van Ness (90) during the second quarter at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024.
Why Van Ness could be due for a big season with the Green Bay Packers in 2025
Green Bay Packers, Luka Van Ness
Sep 22, 2024; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Green Bay Packers defensive end Lukas Van Ness (90) and cornerback Keisean Nixon (25) celebrate the sack if Tennessee Titans Will Levis (8) during the first half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
Despite two mediocre seasons, during which he amassed just 7.0 sacks with 65 combined tackles through 34 games, Van Ness offers the Green Bay Packers hope that he could be due for a big breakout in 2025.Zach Kruse of the Packers Wirepointed out that it’s not entirely uncommin for first-round edge rushers to come into their own in their third season in the league.
Lukas Van Ness in Year 3: The 2023 first-round pick had a mostly quiet and disappointing first two NFL seasons. But Mark Oldacres of Packers Wire did some digging and discovered that many first-round picks at edge rusher break out in a notable way in Year 3. Can Van Ness do the same? He’s going to get chances to rush the quarterback from the edge and inside. If Van Ness can become a reliable disruptor from multiple alignments, the Packers’ pass-rush will be in good shape.
Green Bay Packers, Luka Van Ness
Green Bay Packers defensive end Lukas Van Ness talks to the media during the 2025 Packers Tailgate Tour sendoff on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis.
Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
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