The Green Bay Packers’ decision to trade for Micah Parsons was partly due to the underperformance of former first-round pick Lukas Van Ness as a reliable pass-rusher.
The Packers selected the defensive end with the 13th pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, believing that he would eventually be an ideal replacement for Rashan Gary and Preston Smith.
During his first two seasons in Green Bay, however, Van Ness hasn’t started in any of the 34 games he’s appeared in.
Lukas Van Ness could be moving to DT
Per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Packers are expected to move Van Ness inside with Parsons and Gary manning the edge.
“Also, don’t be surprised if Green Bay eventually moves former first-round pick Lukas Van Ness inside in certain packages as Parsons gets acclimated,” Fowler wrote. “Van Ness’ frame (6-foot-5, 272 pounds) gives him some positional flexibility.”
Green Bay needs depth at defensive tackle after trading Kenny Clark to the Dallas Cowboys as part of the trade for Parsons.
The Packers need more from Van Ness
Van Ness has made 65 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, seven sacks and one forced fumble in 793 defensive snaps for the Packers, playing under two defensive coordinators, Joe Barry and Jeff Hafley.
As a former first-round pick, Green Bay must see if it can make better use of the former Iowa standout on the field as a defensive tackle.
With Gary and Parsons gaining the focus of opposing offensive lines on the exterior, Van Ness should have an easier time going against less pressure in the interior.
