Micah Parsons, Packers
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Green Bay Packers edge rusher Micah Parsons.
The Green Bay Packers now have leeway to make a move on defense that recoups a draft asset after trading two first-round picks for Micah Parsons, perhaps the best defender in the NFL.
Green Bay tried to develop that position through multiple first-round draft picks — initially with Rashan Gary (No. 12 in 2019) and then four years later with Lukas Van Ness (No. 13 in 2023). While Gary has been above-average, tallying 32 sacks and 120 QB pressures over the past four seasons (he appeared in 59 of 68 possible regular-season games), Van Ness has disappointed.
Heading into his third year, the pass-rusher out of Iowa has tallied just seven sacks on 22 total pressures as a rotational edge specialist who has appeared in all 34 possible games to this point in his career.
Gary earned a four-year contract extension worth $96 million total in October 2023 based in his production, even despite a torn ACL in November of 2022 that put his future with the franchise in jeopardy. Van Ness is on the cusp of the third season of his four-year rookie contract worth $17.4 million, which includes a fifth-year team option for 2027, which the Packers must decide on by next spring.
After paying Parsons a record-setting $186 million on a four-year extension, it is unlikely that Green Bay carries both Gary on his expensive deal, which runs through 2027, and extends Van Ness on a second contract. That means if the Packers want to maximize their roster assets, either Gay or Van Ness could be a trade chip by next spring — if not ahead of this seasons early November deadline.
Given Green Bay’s legitimate Super Bowl aspirations, it’s more likely that Van Ness will hit the trade block, but the team must re-establish his value first.
Packers’ Acquisition of Micah Parsons Should Improve Production of Lukas Van Ness
Packers edge Lukas Van Ness
GettyGreen Bay Packers edge rusher Lukas Van Ness.
Van Ness is just 24 years old, so there is a chance he could simply develop further and make some kind of leap in his third year.
The addition of Parsons to the defense and the attention he will draw should open up more favorable matchups for Van Ness, which should also increase his on-field production and improve his game tape.
Green Bay might decide to use Van Ness more after playing him on 33 percent of defensive snaps during his rookie campaign, a figure that bumped to 39 percent in 2024. More usage through the first part of the season should up his value if the Packers decide to shop him ahead of the deadline.
Lukas Van Ness Has Trade Value Ceiling as Situation Pass Rusher
Lukas Van Ness
GettyGreen Bay Packers edge rusher Lukas Van Ness.
The interesting line the Packers may have to toe is that if Van Ness makes a jump and starts producing consistently at a level that adds value to the defense, the team may decide to hold onto him until at least next spring.
A draft asset is not going to help Green Bay before 2026 anyways, and Van Ness could bring production to the field and further increase his trade market by playing well after November — and potentially into a deep playoff run.
Pro Football Focus rated Van Ness the 162nd-best edge defender in 2024 out of 211 players who saw enough snaps at the position to qualify. However, that is largely due to his poor run defense grade (193rd). As a pass-rusher, Van Ness ranked 74th and will probably be better than that in 2025 if he remains healthy.
His value is likely to max out as a situational edge-rusher, even in his mid-20s, which will mitigate what Green Bay can get in return for Van Ness. Still, the right circumstances could net the Packers a third- or fourth-round draft asset next spring, which might make a deal worth it depending on the defense’s longterm outlook.