Will Lukas Van Ness Make the Third-Year Leap?
The former first-rounder has all the tools, but without the production -- so far.
By Kevin Gibson
When Lukas Van Ness chased down Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields for a solo sack in his first game as a Green Bay Packer, I had visions of double digit sacks in his first year as a pro.
On that play, Van Ness ignored a play fake and took a perfect angle on the nimble Fields to corral him from behind and sling him to the turf along the sideline. It had Packers fans slapping nicknames on him such as “The Luke Ness Monster.”
Double digit sacks didn’t materialize, however. The rookie defensive end from Iowa finished the season with four total sacks, showing flashes at times and offering some promise for what might lie ahead, but at no point looking anything like the second coming of Clay Matthews III.
In his second season, Van Ness showed us that he indeed was no Matthews. If anything, he regressed a bit, not just statistically, but from an eye-test perspective, on a Packers defense whose pass rush was far too often anemic.
Still, I refuse to listen to fans who call the athletic Van Ness an absolute bust. Now, if we don’t see significant improvement in year three? I’ll listen. Right now, however, we can all admit he does look far more like Nick Perry than Matthews.
That said, amidst the consternation and doubt, it’s only fair to remember that Van Ness was drafted for what the Packers envisioned he could become in a few seasons – he was a developmental player, albeit one that cost some pretty hefty draft capital at his 13th-overall price tag (ouch). I’m willing to hold out hope and give the 6-5 linebacker a chance to refine his game and adapt to defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley’s system.
Could his relative regression in year two have been in part due to the transition to a 4-3? During his rookie season, Van Ness recorded 32 tackles – 24 of them solo – with 8 TFLs, 8 run stuffs and 10 quarterback hits, for 18 total pressures. During that season, according to the Packers, he became the first Packers rookie to post four-plus sacks and eight-plus tackles for a loss since – you guessed it – Matthews in 2009. He also recorded a sack, a tackle for a loss and a quarterback hit in the playoffs that year.
Last season, he upped his quarterback pressures to 23, but regressed in sacks (3), TFLs (6), run stuffs (6) and solo tackles (20). More importantly, there seemed to be fewer flashes of his ultimate potential, and at times it left fans either screaming “bust,” or at the very least wondering if Van Ness would ever offer more than rotational-level production. Even a mid-season trade of Preston Smith didn't coax more production from Van Ness -- instead, it was Brenton Cox Jr. who stepped up to fill the void.
The good news is the guy is still an above average athlete – the tools are still there. Coming out of college, his RAS was a strong 9.39, and the NFL's Next Gen Stats gave him a 6.40 prospect grade, which by Next Gen’s metrics suggested he would “become a good starter within two years.”
It’s year three incoming. Mark Oldacres over at PackersWire.com reported back in March that year-three jumps for pass rushers are, in fact, not uncommon, going so far as naming Packers edge rusher Rashan Gary as one of those who blossomed in his third season. He also noted that guys like Bradley Chubb, Leonard Floyd and Dante Fowler Jr. are examples of pass rushers who made the leap in their third campaigns.
In short, it’s borderline now or never. Perhaps the Packers replacing Jason Rebrovich with DeMarcus Covington as defensive line coach will unlock Van Ness’ substantial potential. Whatever does the trick, it’s time for Van Ness to take a big step forward if the Packers’ pass rush is going to make a leap in 2025.
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Kevin Gibson is a professional writer and author based in Louisville, Ky. He's also a former sports writer who covered high school, college and professional sports, a Packers shareholder and a fan since 1975. Even John Hadl couldn't break him. Follow him on Twitter: @kgramone
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Comments (69)
Savage57
May 30, 2025 at 06:19 am
Your last paragraph is the distillation of the Van Ness Conundrum.
Someone who just so happens to be named Covington, needs to teach the Packers young pass rush Padawan some techniques. We've seen everything pure strength delivers in the NFL over the last two seasons, and it's not enough.
TKWorldWide
May 30, 2025 at 08:24 am
Damn, baby, “distillation” and “conundrum” in the same sentence? Whoo!
I wonder what scheme change or new position coach done unlocked YOUR potential, my friend!
The bar’s been raised, y’all. We’ve gotta step it up! Expeditiously! 😂
LeotisHarris
May 30, 2025 at 08:38 am
Yeah, Rebrovich was promoted from "pass rush specialist" to DL coach. The Packers no longer have a dedicated pass rush specialist in their coaching ranks. Rebrovich refined the heck out of that mofo bull rush with LVN, right? Now it's time to add a plethora of second moves to the aforementioned bull rush.
MilkCan44
May 30, 2025 at 07:22 pm
The best thing LVN could do is watch tape of Aidan Hutchinson - if he can master even a few of those moves his production will increase many times.
EricTorkelson
May 31, 2025 at 07:46 am
Milk, LVN is a good athlete ... Aidan Hutchinson ( before injury ) was an explosive athlete coupled with variety of pass rushing moves developed over time and repetition. You could say watch tapes of " Reggie White learn the club move " problem being it took time with many repetitions coupled with timing, and setting up opponents for pass rush moves like that being perfected. For LVN can pass rushing moves become instinctive at this time of his career its hard to say, but with hard work I believe LVN can become a very good but not great contributing player for the Packers.
Cheezehead72
May 30, 2025 at 06:21 am
I agree that LVN is not a bust yet. He has only played 2 seasons under two different systems and alignments. Give the guy a chance. If he steps up and has an above average year keep him because he is tranding upward. An average to below average keeping him depends if we have better options.
DoubleJ
May 30, 2025 at 07:15 am
"I agree that LVN is not a bust yet. He has only played 2 seasons under two different systems and alignments. Give the guy a chance."
I completely agree with this statement. People too often just look at the stats (even when they are a rookie) and say this person is a bust. They don't look at situation like going from a 3-4 > 4-3 with 2 different DCs. Even Gary was slow out of the gate last year during the transition. It took him until like week 10 to start looking better.
T7Steve
May 30, 2025 at 07:07 am
To just start by comparing him the Clay Mathews is a win already. Of course, Kevin also threw in Perry so there's the rub.
This season he's the age that most all the great pass rushers were when they got drafted. He's still just a kid. Let him grow into his body. I think the Packers will get the most out of him.
I just don't want to be talking about a 4th year leap next season. He needs this season to enforce the 5th year option, so this makes it like a contract year. That's something to be excited about.
LambeauPlain
May 30, 2025 at 09:32 am
Good point on the 5th year option, Steve. Van Ness needs to prove he is worthy for that consideration THIS season. As of now, he's not even in the same zip code to get that 5th year deal...a very large investment of around $15 M or more.
Guam
May 30, 2025 at 07:21 am
Van Ness is very athletic, but I have never seen him display the quick burst of speed that gets an elite pass rusher around the corner on an NFL grade tackle. I wonder if Van Ness has it? If he doesn't, he may never be a great pass rusher even with better coaching from Covington. I often wonder if his better position might be at defensive tackle.
LambeauPlain
May 30, 2025 at 09:40 am
He has the frame to put on 20 -25 lbs to play DT. If the Packers were envisioning the move he should have put the weight on in the offseason. Coop put on 20 + lbs and early reports are very good. It should be even easier for LVN.
I expect you are onto something though...if Van Ness gets beat out by Cox, Jr. (who I think has more DE talent) or Sorrell, they may try to salvage him at DT in year 4.
jannesbjornson
May 30, 2025 at 05:10 pm
If they beat him out, then trade him...
LLCHESTY
May 30, 2025 at 09:53 am
He had a 90th percentile 3-cone, the most important testing metric for Edge players, at 272 lbs. They need to work on unlocking his athletic gifts not moving him.
Coldworld
May 30, 2025 at 10:41 am
They definitely do need to. The change of coaching should tell us a great deal about the truth and extent of the error by LaFleur in retaining Rebrovich. If the new approach unlocks Van Ness, it likely unlocks more from others. It’s not just the scale of individual growth by Van Ness but the comparative growth by his peers that will be on show.
That said, much of this is on a player not the coaches under the CBA. If the talent is there, the penny needs to drop in the platters mind that it’s not working. If it hasn’t for Van Ness yet, will it ever? If his new coach can turn the bulb on this summer, it’s likely not going to be half as impactful this year as if Van Ness had been working on moves all winter. If others take a leap and Van Ness does not, then I think we are looking at the player not the coaching.
Van Ness has another problem too. He’s got worse against the run. Last season he was flat out poor. So poor he lost snaps to Enagbare and then Cox after Smith left. That keeps him off the field on early downs. As a pure pass rusher he improved to slightly above average, but not enough to be one of the two best pure rushers. As such he was not a first choice to go out on obvious pass downs. This year with Oliver and Sorrell, he’s got a stiffer challenge there probably too.
The claims that he’s been a disappointment in large part due to coaching are somewhat debunked by Cox, who has had far less opportunities and exactly the same coaches and schematic upheavals. Cox not only proved a significantly greater pass threat but was also notably better versus the run. Cox may be a steal as a UDFA, but he was never seen as a first day talent.
Van Ness will get a lot of opportunities to show he’s got more than a bull rush. If he doesn’t take that opportunity and improve his run play as well then at some point his opportunities will diminish. In that case the move inside becomes a real possibility , but that’s where his run game deficiencies may bite him again. He’s not going to be a major part of the rotation if he’s a pass only DT. Wyatt will be the player up first in such moments and those are a minority typically anyway.
This is a massive year for Van Ness. A turning point one way or the other. Stasis will effectively mean a drop down the pecking order most likely. If others held over improve too, then possibly it’s time to trade or a last resort conversion to try and get some value from him.
LLCHESTY
May 30, 2025 at 11:09 am
One of the beat writers wrote an article recently about Van Ness dealing with an arm injury late in the year that had the Packers limiting his snaps and that he had a top 10 PFF grade pass rushing in the three games after Preston was traded. He did have two of his three sacks on the year in those three games.
LambeauPlain
May 30, 2025 at 11:38 am
So, you are saying he still has a chance...
Coldworld
May 30, 2025 at 11:40 am
You mean top 10 for the week? Overall on the season he was 74th among all DEs, with a 65 rushing grade. His season run grade was a dismal 45.
That piece you reference seems rather like anointing Cox as a starter based on 4 games. During that time Cox was similarly rated over 4 games not 3 prior to an ankle injury in game 17. Brenton Cox Jr among edge defenders in Week 16 versus the Saints:
89.6 pass rush grade (3rd)
43.8% pass rush win rate (3rd)
31.3% pressure rate (3rd)
That’s better than any single Van Ness game for context.
Overall Cox had a 72 pass grade for the season, 35th among DEs and a 65 run grade from PFF for the season. So + 7 over Van Ness as a rusher and + 20 for his run grade!
So even the most favorable comparisons pale against Cox, who was recruited at the same time and, while he was thought by some to be a top 100 pick absent behavioral concerns was never thought to be a first day pick and then tested as badly as Van Ness tested well.
I now think Cox underperformed athletically in testing based on what I’ve seen, but that kind of cherry picking strikes me both as straw clutching and the comparison with Cox only lends weight to that and emphasizes the gap between anticipated and actual performance last year. Van Ness has a mountain to climb and it starts with the run as much as the pass.
LLCHESTY
May 30, 2025 at 12:13 pm
Top 10 over the three games after Preston was traded. They said LVN had to play strictly right DE after breaking his thumb(he recently said he did a lot of physical therapy on his hand this Spring) so if you add an arm injury on top of that it might explain why he trailed off and got less playing time down the stretch. It could also just be the quality of LTs he was facing in those three games.
The injuries aren't an excuse but a guy coming in healthy late in the season does have a bit of an advantage. It should be an interesting season at that position with Sorrel and Oliver added to the mix. I'd actually like to see Gary get top pass rusher snaps but I doubt that happens. Gary had less snaps in 17 games than Maxx Crosby did in 12, 639 vs 768. If you're going to pay the guy like a top 10 pass rusher give him top 10 pass rusher snaps. If he can't handle it you have to look at your options.
WestCoastPackerBacker
May 30, 2025 at 02:46 pm
Van Ness was pretty damn productive as a rookie, playing behind Gary and P. Smith and playing around a third of the total defensive snaps. He fell off last season in a new defensive scheme, but then so did every other pass rusher on the team. And the guy coaching the pass rushers got fired. I'm giving LVN the benefit of the doubt. Hoping the second year in the D with a new position coach can help him reach his potential.
LLCHESTY
May 31, 2025 at 06:53 am
Jacob Morley had a couple tweets last year that back up what the article said.
The 1st was Dec 5th:
"Pass rush win rate since week 9.
(Min 30 pass rush reps)
LVN: 17.6% (11 of 94 EDGE)
Rashan Gary: 15.6% (20 of 94 EDGE)
Brenton Cox Jr: 7.5% (66 of 94 EDGE)
Kingsley Enagbare: 4.9% (82 of 94 EDGE)"
The 2nd was Dec 25th:
"Edge Defender pass rush win % since the bye.
(Min 40 pass rush reps) @PFF
Brenton Cox Jr: 25.6 (3/87 EDGE)
Rashan Gary: 19.4 (8/87 EDGE)
LVN: 18.2 (9/87 EDGE)
Kingsley Enagbare: 10.0 (47/87 EDGE)"
There's usually only two or three players with starters snaps in a season that finish with a PRWR over 20% so maybe LVN didn't tail off as much as I thought but given his reduced snaps towards the end of the season he did tail off. Either way he was producing as a pass rusher in the three games after the Preston trade.
Guam
May 30, 2025 at 01:55 pm
I know he tested well, but where has that been the last two years? I find it hard to believe it is all coaching failure. So far his athletic prowess has not translated into on field performance.
WestCoastPackerBacker
May 30, 2025 at 02:48 pm
He actually played well as a rookie, behind the starters. He was dang productive. Then everyone went downhill as pass rushers under Hafley's new scheme. I don't think this is all on LVN. I mean the coach got fired, and we know LaFleur doesn't do that easily.
Guam
May 30, 2025 at 05:26 pm
I don't think it is all on LVN, but it isn't all on Rebrovich and Hafley either. LVN played sparingly as a rookie and performed adequately for a #13 pick. He regressed last year. He needs to do much better this year to justify his draft status and position on the team.
dblbogey
May 30, 2025 at 06:21 pm
Iowa Hawkeye fan who was not happy when they picked LVN. He didn't stand out as exceptional at Iowa. There were so many better options on the board. Looks like Tarzan, plays like Jane. He still has no pass rush moves after 2 years. I think you insulted Nick Perry with your comparison to LVN.
Leatherhead
May 30, 2025 at 07:26 pm
Guam, even the most elite rushers don't get around the corner on good tackles most of the time. How often do people get around Tom?
Moral of the Story: Good OTs > Good pass rusher.
Ever since the days of Clay Matthews, I've noticed that when you try to beat people around the corner, you leave a pretty big hole to run through, and if you're a QB that can run, that's an opportunity. I saw it happen quite a few times.
I think the preferred tactic now is Contain the QB and Collapse the pocket., with infrequent blitzes to keep the opponent honest.
Oppy
May 30, 2025 at 11:50 pm
During the days of Clay Matthews, the Packers were running 3-4 and Matthews, being an OLB in a 3-4, was free to rush the passer on the outside, not having to worry about the inside rushing lanes, because the Will and Mike (inside linebackers) are tasked with defending the A & B gaps in the run game.
Guam
May 31, 2025 at 07:17 am
There's merit to your point LH, but elite pass rushers are still some of the most coveted players in the league so I am not sure everyone has bought into the "containment" philosophy. The ability to make a QB move his feet significantly impacts accuracy in a passing game. Even pedestrian QBs can pick apart a secondary if they are given good protection.
I think alternating containment with an aggressive rush to keep the QB unsettled is still the holy grail of defensive strategy. My concern with LVN is that I have NEVER seen him beat a tackle with a speed rush. Given his speed and three cone time, I find that very surprising. I think he needs to have a speed rush as part of his tool kit or he becomes limited as a DE. And maybe better suited to DT.
Leatherhead
May 31, 2025 at 09:49 am
Elite pass rushers are coveted, but I think if you look closely, most of their "stats" come against backups and journeymen.
I think half the plays are runs. I think that of the passes, half of them are probably quick throws that aren't going to be affected by any amount of pressure. On a small number of plays, it's an advantage to have an elite pass rusher lining up against a journeyman or backup.
Last year, Dallas led the league in pressure. They were 31st in scoring defense.
Second place goes to Denver. Then Cleveland, then Detroit,Chiefs, Vikings, Bears, and Seahawks. How many of these teams made the playoffs? How many playoff wins did this group achieve? Or better yet, other than the Chiefs, how many playoff wins does this "Elite Eight" have?
The Eagles, btw, were near the bottom of the league in sacks and pressures.
I like to see pressures and sacks as much as the next guy, but I'm just not seeing a correlation.
Guam
May 31, 2025 at 03:46 pm
All good points LH, but we aren't the coaches who are making these decisions. Most coaches including our Packer coaches want more pressure from the front four. Can LVN bring more pressure than he has the past two seasons? IDK.
NickPerry
May 30, 2025 at 07:42 am
"Even a mid-season trade of Preston Smith didn't coax more production from Van Ness -- instead, it was Brenton Cox Jr. who stepped up to fill the void."
I think Van Ness takes a jump, I just don't know how big it will be, hopefully it's a big one. Whether it's Cox or LVN doesn't really matter to me. Obviously with the 13th overall pick you really hope that pick hits because of the investment. But if Cox breaks out and LVN continues to be mostly invisible that's fine with me. As long as SOMEONE breaks out!
I'd also think Covington will definitely make a difference. I never thought much of Rebrovich. IIRC didn't Joe Berry bring in Rebrovich? That should tell us everything we needed to know. He was out of coaching in 2021after getting let go from Jacksonville. Maybe it was COVID or maybe he just sucked. I guess we'll find out soon enough.
TKWorldWide
May 30, 2025 at 08:29 am
In 2001 GB picked Jamal Reynolds 10th overall.
In 2002 they picked Aaron Kampman in the 5th round (156 overall.)
LVN vs Cox? I am with you!
TarynsEyes
May 30, 2025 at 08:36 am
Take a step-up is such a cliché, and its use is to cover up a more serious fault. Is LVN closer to the early Matthews or the Perry bad, as there is a huge gap there and need for a huge step to reach one could mean a smaller step to bend over for the other. Which way is he more apt to go? How long in the season are they willing to waste on an answer? How little of an improvement will it take to justify picking up the 5th year option? There's a lot more at stake than a simple use of a cliché.
TKWorldWide
May 30, 2025 at 08:40 am
However, taking a step up is NOT a cliché when one is faced with a ladder. 😉
TarynsEyes
May 30, 2025 at 09:18 am
https://youtube.com/shorts/alL80VjfjwM?si=DLv-1MAyC6TnxxM3
TKWorldWide
May 30, 2025 at 10:51 am
Sincere LOL. Awesome! 😂
ricky
May 30, 2025 at 08:41 am
First, weren't there articles after year one predicting a "second year breakout"? Now it's going to be in his third year? Hopefully the third time will be the charm. But there is also the change in linebacker coaches, from Campanile to Duggan.
Second, drafting a great athlete is not the same thing as drafting a great football player. Having the physical tools is good, but unless you have the "it" factor is much more important. Hopefully there will be some signs of life, but then again, first round picks are usually one third busts, one third JAGs, and one third stars. We'll see where Van Ness fits.
LambeauPlain
May 30, 2025 at 09:45 am
Duggan won't be coaching him for a 3rd year breakout. Covington will...and he can be a "step up" over Rebrovich nearly as much as Hafley was a step up over Barry. Check that...Haf was a giant leap forward over Joe.
J-Rome
May 30, 2025 at 08:47 am
I still have hope for LVN. I think coaching last year really played a part in his ineffectiveness. Early in the season I saw both him and Gary more concerned with trying to hand fight with tackles rather than trying to use their strength, speed, or moves to defeat the block. That's never been part of Gary's game so my guess would have to be coaching. LaFleur doesn't like to fire anyone so clearly there was a problem. I'm hoping Covington will find ways to make use of their strengths.
HawkPacker
May 30, 2025 at 08:53 am
I do remember that Bears game when LVN ran down Fields and was like 'Wow' does he have some speed or what?
I also got tired of seeing his bullrush and no other moves. Of course, he has worked on other moves so why didn't he try any during games. I never saw one.
A couple of questions come to mind. What did the coaches want him to do when he was in the game? Did they want him to basically set the edge? You never hear the coaching staff mention LVN as to how/what he is doing in the game other than just rush the passer.
Gute said he was happy with the DL and felt he has all the pieces in place. Does that include LVN or just the tackles or what. He did not comment on which players, just the DL as a whole. I wish the coaches would honestly comment on LVN and not say something like he does a great job.
None of us really knows how LVN is doing at this stage and we are just looking at the results such as sacks, pressures and tackles.
LambeauPlain
May 30, 2025 at 09:54 am
I got tired of the one trick pony act as a bull rusher too. NFL OLinemen quickly neutralize one trick ponies.
But we should not be surprised because that is all the had at Iowa coming off the bench too, didn't he Hawk? He got the stats because he was so much stronger, faster, quicker than most B1G OLinemen he faced.
HawkPacker
May 30, 2025 at 10:03 am
LP, I would imagine that you are correct with the Iowa reference, since he has not displayed any other moves since he has been at GB.
Coldworld
May 30, 2025 at 10:57 am
Lance Zierlein on Van Ness as a draft prospect:
“He’s a power-centric prospect with force as his modus operandi as both a run defender and pass rusher. Van Ness needs to work on hand attacks for quicker block shedding and to diversify his rush beyond bull-rush challenges.”
SJPack
May 30, 2025 at 10:26 am
I've watched some film of LVN last year and he is building his rush game plan to include chops, swims, power to speed. He needs more work on these moves but he did use them in real games last year. I'm betting on double digit sacks this year and a bunch of pressures.
LambeauPlain
May 30, 2025 at 09:59 am
"I’m willing to hold out hope and give the 6-5 linebacker a chance..."
Did the Packers move him to LB? What did I miss?
TKWorldWide
May 30, 2025 at 10:58 am
Yeah, I think that prior to Hafley and the 4-3, LVN was an OLB. But now he’s an end in the 4-3, right? And to add to the fun, now the 3-4 OLB’s and the 4-3 DE’s are all just edge rushers. Or the all caps EDGEs.
So the former 6-5 OLB is now a 4-3 DE. Did he lose height due to the switch to the new alignment??
LLCHESTY
May 30, 2025 at 11:18 am
I never understood the all caps EDGE thing, I've used Edge since it became a mainstream term. I guess because you're shortening it from edge rusher or to differentiate it from edge setter but I think Edge does the job.
TKWorldWide
May 30, 2025 at 11:22 am
Agreed. Or maybe only the best guys earn the all caps.
Coldworld
May 30, 2025 at 11:58 am
ER would work if one wants to capitalize. That said, in the modern game where base is not the majority formation on snap terms by most teams regardless of their nominal base, why not just lump all OLBs and DEs as ERs.
2 letters good, 3 is ok, but 4 is definitely overkill. "Four shalt thou not count, neither count thou two, excepting that thou then proceed to three. Five is right out.” In this case just stop at two Arthur.
TKWorldWide
May 31, 2025 at 06:45 am
Any Monty gets an automatic 👍 from me!
barutanseijin
May 30, 2025 at 04:09 pm
It’s not an acronym, people! Just because some sports media people are illiterate doesn’t mean we have to be.
TKWorldWide
May 31, 2025 at 06:47 am
I’d be happy with mastering “one lineman, two linemen”, as well as “your” vs “you’re”.
LLCHESTY
May 30, 2025 at 11:01 am
"Even a mid-season trade of Preston Smith didn't coax more production from Van Ness -- instead, it was Brenton Cox Jr. who stepped up to fill the void."
That isn't exactly true. LVN had 2 of his 3 sacks right after the Preston trade. He didn't sustain it but at 1st it looked like he benefited from the trade. There were also some games late in the season where they limited his snaps because of an arm injury, who knows if that linger the rest of the year or not but he made a point to say he was fully healthy and feeling great the other day so I'm guessing it was bothering him.
Alberta_Packer
May 30, 2025 at 11:30 am
Granted - he ain't no Dean Lowry. However he's still relatively young (the recent Draft would have been his senior year) - while showing flashes and still the potential of a jump. I think that I'll judge & jury his final verdict until all of the evidence has been presented. Most likely after this season.
splitpea1
May 30, 2025 at 11:34 am
No, that's exactly the problem--he may have the "tools" in an athletic sense, but they're not much good in the NFL unless they're developed. You can hope that new coaching can get him to be more productive, but ultimately it's up to the player to refine his game. Has he significantly improved from the areas of concern on his scouting reports? I don't think so, and we're talking two seasons here and now the third off-season.
You see a recent picture of him on Facebook in the weight room flexing his biceps (with the expected sarcastic comments from users on the side), but I just hope he realizes it's more important to work on techniques and moves that are going to translate to him being more effective on the football field.
GregC
May 30, 2025 at 12:56 pm
Maybe Van Ness will improve because of the new defensive line coach...or maybe he will improve, and it will have nothing whatsoever to do with the defensive line coach. Hard to tell, since none of us knows much about the assistant coaches. We don't get to see them in action or in meetings. About all we can do is look at their job histories.
Oppy
May 30, 2025 at 03:18 pm
I mean this when I say it:
I have never been less interested in a Packers' first round pick than I am in LVN.
I sincerely hope he comes on and develops into a force, but from day one in his Packers jersey, I just haven't seen anything that moves my needle.
His rookie season people were talking about how strong he was. I didn't see it on the field. I think his collegiate nickname of "Hercules" got into people's heads. He really looks like the horribly proverbial 'just a guy' to me.
barutanseijin
May 30, 2025 at 04:13 pm
The best indicator of future performance is his play on the field. Anything else is speculation.
I expect more of the same from LVN and for him to continue in a backup role.
NFLfan
May 30, 2025 at 05:59 pm
"Wishin' and hopin' and thinkin' and prayin'
Plannin' and dreamin' each night of his charms..."
NFLfan
May 30, 2025 at 06:04 pm
Drafting the best football players means that the good ones don't always look the part-same as the best Navy Seals/Delta Force selections.
Leatherhead
May 30, 2025 at 07:19 pm
Judging by the 49 comments on this, it's all about the pass rush. The sacks, the pressures, the moves (or lack thereof). Nothing on how he played the run (on the league's #3 run defense). Nope. It's all about the pass rush.
I think he's a good defender for us, I'm happy to have him on the active roster every game, and I think that at 23 his best football is probably ahead of him.
Coldworld
May 31, 2025 at 07:37 am
He was ok as a rusher, albeit not where one might hope a first rounder would be in year two. However, he was very poor in the run game, which was the major reason his snaps declined I suspect. He was notably worse than any other Packers. DE. So trying to use the improvement in the run game as a justification for his value contribution is probably not the way to go.
Leatherhead
May 31, 2025 at 09:58 am
IF he was so poor in the run game, then how did the Packers finish 3rd in rushing defense with such an obvious weak link on the field?
You should stop letting PFF do your thinking for you.
In your world, weak links and disappointments like Van Ness, Gary, over-the-hill Kenny Clark, injured Wyatt, jags Wooden and Brooks........somehow manage to put the league's 3rd best rush defense on the field.
Now, in my world, that doesn't add up. Maybe you should take a second look at your assumptions. MY assumption is that you can't make chicken salad out of chicken feathers, so if the food tastes good, the ingredients were probably good too.
PhantomII
May 30, 2025 at 09:41 pm
I have never heard of a 3rd year jump. LVN does not have all the tools or he would be a double digit sack artist already. GB has not had a good pass rush coach since KG helped out #52. LVN is big and strong and has POTENTIAL....IF WE HAD A PASS RUSH COACH....and we do not or Gary would be a lot better also. WANTED: former ALL PRO / PRO BOWL top 20 NFL sack leader for some pointers. Hell why not pay some all time greats to come bye in spring training for a fee and learn from proven top level performers the tricks of the trade....priceless and it does not count against the CAP.
Oppy
May 30, 2025 at 11:57 pm
He is extremely young, and young defensive lineman/pass rushers in the NFL often need time to develop their strength to compete with starting caliber offensive linemen in the NFL who are full-grown men and in possession of off-the-charts functional strength and balance.
I tend to agree that LVN hasn't shown much of anything the field that makes me believe he's going to be a plus player, but he really is so young that there is the legitimate possibility he develops into a viable starter down the stretch.
GregC
May 31, 2025 at 03:51 am
I have heard of a third year jump because it's mentioned in this article, with a link that explains it in detail.
How many teams have pass rush coaches? I did a google search, and the only one I could find was the Ravens.
Leatherhead
May 31, 2025 at 10:00 am
He has more sacks after two years than Aaron Kampman, who went to the Pro Bowl a couple times. In fact, he has more sacks in two years than Kampman did in three.
We blitz less than almost anybody, yet we're middle of the road in sacks and pressure. How is that achieved?
PhantomII
May 31, 2025 at 05:02 pm
Well...we play a lot of poor teams in a season, so it skews the results quite a bit and fortunately get us into post season a lot. Vikings picked us apart for non-existent pass rush. Gary and LVN are not elite pass rushers. Gary does try pretty hard, but his alternate moves are not utilized to get home. We had the younger Smiths who made some noise and it also showed Z did not know how to set an edge. Maybe Wyatt gets it going in the trenches and that would help a lot. We just cannot let GOOD teams sit back and cut you to pieces. If our Offense picks it up a bunch we will be much better and ready to put it to other GOOD teams.
NJ-RICK
May 31, 2025 at 02:13 pm
LVN shouldn't have been a first round draft selection... I blame Gute for this mess. There were so many other talented DE's out there and he takes LVN because of a high RAS rating. The kid has a long way to go and the Packers need a player who can provide more pass rush NOW...!!!!!!! I hope Policy makes a change at GM.
PhantomII
May 31, 2025 at 05:05 pm
Yes 1st round picks should be able to contribute as a rookie.....or they are not a first round pick. NFL ready starter or at the minimum mid season transition to a starter. I would consider a starting OLB/DE average 8-10 sacks. If both did that it would be like the Smiths were back. Unfortunately we don't have anything close to that. Rushes help QB's make bad decisions with picks, but it's pretty cool to have them get dropped for 10-15 yd loss also.