With their first selection in their post-Aaron Rodgers era, the Packers have added a player on the defensive side of the ball. Green Bay used the No. 13 pick on Iowa defensive end Lukas Van Ness.
The move continues a run of Packers defensive investments in Round 1 and continues to leave Green Bay fans waiting yet another year for a first-round receiver move. The Packers were connected to Jaxon Smith-Njigba and tight end Michael Mayer, but Van Ness became the team’s pick at No. 13 — a choice it obtained in Monday’s long-awaited Rodgers swap. But after taking two defenders in last year’s first round and Eric Stokes in 2021, the Packers continued to bolster Joe Barry‘s unit.
Green Bay is betting on potential here; Van Ness did not work as a full-time starter at Iowa. But the 6-foot-5 defender showed versatility by operating as an outside and inside rusher for the Hawkeyes. Van Ness combines a 272-pound frame with 4.58-second speed, giving the Packers upside as they add yet another early-round defender to their roster.
Van Ness, who totaled 13 sacks and 19 tackles for loss over the past two seasons, could give the Pack some options. The team used a 2022 first-round pick on defensive lineman Devonte Wyatt and still rosters anchor Kenny Clark. Dean Lowry departed as a free agent, joining the Vikings. Van Ness could also line up as a 3-4 outside linebacker. The Packers have Preston Smith under contract and Rashan Gary going into his fifth-year option season. Gary, however, is coming off a November ACL tear.
This marks a big night for the Hawkeyes, who saw two front-seven bastions — Van Ness and linebacker Jack Campbell — become top-20 picks. Campbell also stayed in Big Ten country, going to the Lions at No. 18.
Hmmm … Not saying they didn’t need this, but I expected them to go for an offensive weapon to help Love. Even wondered if they might trade down a bit to get more picks. I’m surprised, but I’m no expert either. Although we all know the defense last year was a big drop off from ’21, so I guess this must be the best choice overall.
“but I expected them to go for an offensive weapon to help Love.”
After not getting one for Aaron Rodgers for how many years? This is SOP for the Packers.
Yeah, I know that. Just thought this could have been the year they broke that mold. Obviously wasn’t.
Seeing that there’s been no trade downs past dozen picks or so, I am not sure that was even an option….or the offers are garbage.
Depends on both teams. Maybe the Packers had such an option open to them but decided they liked Van Ness better. And maybe not. I had that thought before the run of no trade downs happened. I like to think about the “what could happens” beforehand.
Gutey is absolutely stupid. Love should sue GB for malpractice. I wouldn’t blame him if he walked away from GB when his deal runs out.
What a terrible take. Stop playing fantasy football and actually watch a game.
Packers gonna packer. 18 years 2 offensive first round picks or something. Ridiculous.
Yeah, because every first round pick is an automatic All-Pro. Too bad they missed on guys like Aaron Jones, Davante Adams,Jordy Nelson, Greg Jennings, James Jones, none of them first rounders. Doesn’t matter what round they’re drafted in, just that they can play.
Minimal offensive depth at receiver has plagued this team for years.
No, drafting in the last third of every round has plagued this team. You don’t get stud players when your picking late in the first round. That’s just the nature of the beast. Also when you have top level talent at all the premier positions (QB, LT, WR, Edge, CB) and are having to pay these players market value, it diminishes your ability to sign quality free agents to fill needs.
Yeah that’s simply not true. There are plenty of guys drafted mid to late round 1 that outperform players drafted higher.
Of course drafting earlier offers a higher percentage chance they excel but there are many mid to late first round picks that excel.
I never said there aren’t players who outperform those drafted before them just that the chances of drafting a difference maker where the Packers typically are slotted isn’t as likely.
You said there draft position has plagued them. I’d counter with their choices in those positions not doing enough to help the product in a changing game with offense becoming more of a focal point.
And when they did take defense skipping out on key pass rushers like Watt.
You’re right, they dont need to be first rounders. But do you realize that in 2011 and 2012 Rodgers had a receiver room that consisted of Driver, J Jones, Jennings, Jordy, Cobb and even Finley at TE? By the end of 2013 4 of them had left via either free agency or retirement and the only person added was Adams after 2013. While they dont have to be first rounders, uou at least have to invest in the position with something other than 4-7th rounders otherwise youre not exactly getting the most talented the position has to offer. Instead, the highest theyve drafted a receiver up until 2 years ago was Ty Montgomery in the 3rd and they tried to convert him into a gadget/RB type role.
You make it sound like the Packers didn’t draft any WRs/TEs in the earlier rounds since 2013 which isn’t true.
2014 – Ty Montgomery (3rd)
2015 – Jared Abbrederis (4th)
2018 – J’Mon Moore (4th)
2019 – Jace Sternberger (3rd)
2020 – Josiah Deguara (3rd)
2021 – Amari Rodgers (3rd)
2022 – Christian Watson (2nd)
2022 – Romeo Doubs (4th)
This also doesn’t include the free agent TEs they signed to replace Finley (i.e. Jared Cook, Jimmy Graham, Martellus Bennett and Lance Kendricks and Mercedes Lewis).
And let’s not forget the Packers has Nelson, Cobb and Adams holding down the top three spots from 2013-2017. So can we please stop complaining about the front office not doing anything to provide Rodgers with playmakers?
Great reading comprehension there buddy.
1)I mentioned Ty Montgomery
2)i threw in the caveat of 3rd round because all the names I mentioned were 3rd round or higher with the exception of Driver.
3)i said receivers/up until 2 years ago.
“Lets not forget…”. So you don’t continue to add? If they had that mindset in the 1st place they wouldve never drafted Nelson, Cobb or Finley because they had Driver, Jennings and Jones.
You mean all the has beens or never weres they brought in at TE? Are you conveniently forgetting Rodgers wanted Cook back, and then they pulled his offer to sign the malcontent Bennett?
Btw, are you sure you want to use Jmon moore as one of your examples of the WR talent they added, since he was out of the league after only a year despite being a 4th rounder?
Also, Abbrederis was a 5th rounder and he finished his career with 13 receptions. Your brilliant list of all the “talent” they’ve selected after the 3rd round is the very reason they should have continued to draft WR in the 2nd round or earlier. I appreciate you inadvertently proving my point
I never said the players they drafted were good, only that the front office did make attempts to draft WRs to add depth. But clearly they failed to draft players who actually panned out.
And let’s be honest, the Packers need to use their 3rd round picks to either move up or trade back because their success rate at drafting a contributor in this round has been horrendous.
Another defensive player drafted in first round so we can see our Rush defense continue to get gashed!! I get it. Good job Gutey
Good pick
The Packers 1st round pick (that they traded up for) wasn’t even a starter during his two years at Iowa! Maybe their 2nd round pick will be a 4th string safety from Nebraska or North Dakota who has “a lot of potential”? Gutnuts needs to go. But, that won’t happen because he fits the good ol’ boys’ mold.
I’m betting Love is gone after this year no matter how well he might play unless the Pack are in the SB. Which is highly doubtful based on the current roster.
I love all the people complaining about the Packers history of not drafting WRs in the first round. Yet, they have consistently been one of the top rated offenses for over a decade. Football requires quality players on both sides of the ball. Also the Packers have a very successful track record of drafting WRs in the 2nd round (Adams, Cobb, Nelson, Jennings, Watson). Not sure why people are so fixated on them not drafting one in the 1st Rd when history shows there were very few highly rated WR prospects the Packers passed on who turned out to be worth drafting in the mid to late 1st round.
Stop using logic. We are an emotional bunch here!
Yeah, let’s be content we had a top rated offense, and not even consider that it could have been even better (ya know, like SB caliber) if they ever drafted a slightly more talented skill player in the first round, rather than trying to plug a square peg in a round hole with the Jace Sternberger or Amari Rodgers.