Green Bay Packers linebacker Lukas Van Ness, a highly anticipated first-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, has navigated two professional seasons without fully realizing the significant potential that accompanied his arrival. Drafted 13th overall, expectations were high for the former Iowa Hawkeyes standout, who has shown flashes but is still striving for consistent elite performance.
In his rookie campaign, Van Ness participated in all 17 games, recording a respectable four sacks. However, his statistical output slightly regressed in 2024, as he managed just three sacks across another 17 games. This dip was mirrored by a decline in his Pro Football Focus grade, which fell from 64.0 in 2023 to 53.8 in 2024, indicating areas for development despite his commendable durability, having not missed a single game in his NFL career thus far.
As Lukas Van Ness enters his third NFL season, anticipation is building around a potential breakout performance. This prospect is particularly exciting for the Green Bay Packers, a team that ranked 12th in the league during the 2024 season with a defensive sack rate of 7.42 percent. An enhanced pass rush contribution from Van Ness could significantly bolster the Packers defense.
Optimism is notably high within the organization, especially from second-year defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley. Hafley, a key figure in shaping the Packers defense, has expressed a positive outlook regarding Van Ness’s progression and his readiness to make a more significant impact in the upcoming season.
Hafley attributes his confidence to several factors, noting that Van Ness is “a year older” and possesses “another year in the scheme.” This additional experience, according to Hafley, is allowing Van Ness to “start to understand the position, how to use his hands, how to set edges, some pass rush tools, [and] some counter moves,” highlighting a maturation in his technical approach.
Furthermore, the Packers defensive coordinator emphasized Van Ness’s dedication during the offseason. Hafley revealed that it “was a good offseason for him truthfully,” noting that the young linebacker “did a good job at OTAs and then he left here and he put in a lot of work.” This commitment translated into Van Ness returning “in really good shape, [and] he’s healthy,” suggesting a strong physical foundation for his anticipated improvement.
At just 24 years old, Lukas Van Ness is widely believed to be far from his professional peak. Should he indeed make a significant leap in 2025, transforming into a consistent disruptive force, it would represent a tremendous asset for the Green Bay Packers defense and could be a pivotal factor in their quest for defensive dominance.
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