Welcome to the NFL Young Rookie! After being important players in their universities, the rookies must once again earn their places with the pros. Who are they and what hopes do they raise? Let’s discover these new nuggets.
Lukas Van Ness
Born July 6, 2001 in Barrington, Illinois
1m98 for 123 kilos
Edge Rusher, Green Bay Packers
Each season, the duels between the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears are separate games for these two franchises. From 2023 there will be a rivalry within a rivalry. As an outside linebacker, Lukas Van Ness will sometimes have to beat a tight end to reach the opposing quarterback, but his fiancée is none other than the sister of Bears player Cole Kmet!
If I were a quality: its power/speed combo
Powerful and fast, his teammates in Iowa nicknamed him “Hercules”! Tall and possessing great arm length, Lukas Van Ness knows how to use his attributes, including his large hands to smash into opposing chests.
His time of 4.58 seconds over 40 yards offers the potential to chase down a runner trying to get away. And with his very explosive first supports, he is often too fast for the offensive linemen.
His mix of power and vivacity corresponds to the profile of this position with the Packers, similar to the profile of Rashan Gary.
If I was a flaw: raw but raw
Strong and athletic, Lukas Van Ness is in 2023 a player who can stand out for his constant commitment. He must, however, improve his technique and his game intelligence: vary his attacking strategies from the offensive lineman, without rushing because carried by his enormous generosity.
In a base defense organized in 34 in Green Bay, he will play on the second curtain. This will not change his habits 75% of the time: but sometimes he will also have to play cover and there is his greatest room for improvement, because he is starting from afar in this area!
If I was an NFL player: JJ Watt (future Hall of Famer)
The former glory of the Texans, and new retiree of the Cardinals, was more imposing than Lukas Van Ness. But there are nevertheless a lot of similarities between the two players.
In 2021, Lukas Van Ness was mainly aligned inside: 378 snaps in B-Gap. It was even more used in A Gap only outside: 50 times against 20 (understand here the alignments on the defensive line). In 2022, he has become a kind of JJ Watt having voluntarily lost some weight to gain speed. So his coaches walked him all over the defensive front and especially against the tackles on the outside.
His physical commitment as well as his work ethic also recalls the triple defender of the year in the NFL (2012, 2014 and 2015). So if his position on the ground will be slightly different, the profile of Lukas Van Ness strongly evokes JJ Watt.
In terms of position on the field, size and athletic qualities, Lukas Van Ness can also be seen as a clone of Joey Bosa (Chargers).
If I were a course: Hockey then Football
Lukas Van Ness’ first passion was Hockey, a sport he started when he was 6 years old. In his high school in Barrington (60 kilometers from Chicago), he was a feared player in defense: the kind very often penalized by referees for brutality! So the kind of player adored in the rinks.
His mother must have insisted that he also try football while continuing the sport on skates. He thus fell in love with the one with crampons.
In high school, he played guard in attack and defensive end in defense and as captain, he also played in the special team. His father being a fan of the Iowa Hawkeyes, he accepted the scholarship offer of this university. After a season without playing (redshirt), he won the next with 7 sacks and being named Freshman First Team All American in 2021!
In 2022, he signs 11 tackles behind the line of engagement and continues with a beautiful NFL Combine. What justify a selection in the top 15 of the Draft? Only the future will tell.
If I were a project: holder from 2024
Rashan Gary coming back from injury, the Packers felt the need to add quality to this position, hence the number 13 pick of the 2023 draft. Preston Smith is good on one side as Kingsley Enagbare begins to show his potential of the other. Lukas Van Ness was brought in to add quality but arguably on only a third of possible games in 2023.
Moving up to “NFL starter” level in 2024 to become a major league player by 2025: this is the scenario desired by Green Bay.
As for the family rivalry, it’s starting this Sunday, September 10, because Lukas Van Ness and the Packers will challenge Cole Kmet and the Bears in Chicago!
