2023 Round 1 Pick #13:Lukas Van Ness Edge

[BrokenArrow]

I don’t think the frustration is necessarily with the pick. It’s the fact that we’ve spent the last 10+ drafts investing in the defense with little results. Probably due to the DC. Now we have a new quarterback with limited weapons. I know we can get some guys these next two days, but it seems like the definition of insanity with our draft picks

And why do you think we have to get receivers in the first round?

 

[Pugger]

I'll wait and see on this. If it turns out to be BJ Raji or Aaron Kampman I'm ok with it. If it turns out to be Justin Harell I'll never be on board.

One thing in his favor is I haven't heard of any injury issues with him like we did with Harrell and his torn bicep his senior year.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

And why do you think we have to get receivers in the first round?

I think many fans love seeing play makers drafted. Thinking that they will instantly improve the team. Nothing pumps a fan up more than watching a college film of a guy making circus catches, running all over the field and scoring TD's. Make them watch film of a guy blocking or tackling and they probably get bored fast.

A team is made up of 22 starting positions on offense and defense. Some of those positions might be boring, but they are all essential. With what top EDGE guys make, I can see why hitting on one in the draft, is a big priority for a team. While top WR's make a lot of money too, I think they might be easier to find outside of round 1, than a great EDGE player.

 

[Heyjoe4]

I think many fans love seeing play makers drafted. Thinking that they will instantly improve the team. Nothing pumps a fan up more than watching a college film of a guy making circus catches, running all over the field and scoring TD's. Make them watch film of a guy blocking or tackling and they probably get bored fast.

A team is made up of 22 starting positions on offense and defense. Some of those positions might be boring, but they are all essential. With what top EDGE guys make, I can see why hitting on one in the draft, is a big priority for a team. While top WR's make a lot of money too, I think they might be easier to find outside of round 1, than a great EDGE player.

Yeah I was actually hoping they would have traded up for Tyree Wilson, who went at #7 to LV. But trading up is like trading for a player using draft picks, usually a bad value. I'm ok with Van Ness. There were no WRs or TEs worthy of a #13 pick. And there is still plenty of talent to fill these positions in rounds 2 and 3. Van Ness was a solid pick.

And to your point about expecting college highlight reel performances in the NFL - yeah it just doesn't happen. Even guys taken in the top 5 need time to adjust.

 

[Heyjoe4]

And why do you think we have to get receivers in the first round?

It all depends on where they pick. IMO there were no WRs or TEs worthy of a #13 pick, and the draft kind of played out that way. I expect Gluten will find plenty of value in a TE and WR in round 2, maybe round 3. Other than trading back, he made a good choice. And the Packers need Edge help. I'm fine with it, for what that's worth.......

 

[tynimiller]

There is good reason to not like picking Jesus Christ. He does not play on Sundays.

LOL this is awesome!

 

[AmishMafia]

"The Luke Ness Monster" I hope takes over than the "Hercules" nickname.

 

[Krabs]

This is the guy I wanted in the first round. I was a little surprised that he was still available and even more surprised that they took him.

 

[tynimiller]

Does anyone still believe that the Packer GM know what he is doing? What a drop off from those GM's they have had in the past. This draft will become an albatross for the Packers and at some point during the season .. Van Ness has a lot of positives, one major negative and question mark is if he was the 13th 1st round pick how did he NOT start one game for Iowa? Is there an issue with his ability to play a full game? what was it that caused a HC and DC not to start a guy supposedly rated this highly? Gute says they are not rebuilding, players say they are publicly and privately, so.... looking at the trade, the draft pick and their team.... GB is rebuilding and it will take a while; Minn still #1 in the divison, Det improving, Chi improving - both with somewhat proven QB's .... GB ?????? would not be surprised at a 6-11 season this year but also not another 8-9....

You are aware of the unique structure Iowa follows in regards of underclassmen and upperclassmen correct? I'm going to assume not, also going to assume you did zero research into his snap counts and such or you'd understand the "starting statement" is just not worthy of mentioning.

As for the GM...lets look over Gutes' First Round Picks so far:

Jaire Alexander - Easily a Top 10 guy in his position league wide
Rashan Gary - Easily a Top 10 guy, some statistics he can claim as a Top 5 at his position in the league.
Darnell Savage - One season at starting level that was acceptable...down since, this year will make or break his future IMO: Gute's first "miss" in the first but could still a NFL caliber guy just not elite.
Jordan Love - This year and next will show whether hit or miss.
Eric Stokes - Was one of the best rookies in that class first year, last year slow start and injury...too soon to know.
Quay Walker - Starter caliber off ball, who may end up being very special if he can keep emotions controlled.
DeVonte Wyatt - Slow start, showed what he was late in the season...like walker too early to say.

So in 7 guys, he has taken two All Pro level types....you could stop there and deem him quite successful with the verdict still out on last four with two (Stokes/Walker) though appearing solid...you'd have to be purposefully hiding from the truth to blast Gute for his day 1 picks from a player perspective. I completely believe there is validity in being critical if it doesn't fit the direction or the offensive weapon only mindset some have (not saying you do specifically).

 

[ThePerfectBeard]

And why do you think we have to get receivers in the first round?

I didn't say wide receiver in the first round, did I?

 

[gopkrs]

Because he's a sophomore and IA starts their upper classmen vs young guys usually. he played more snaps than any of them that should speak to his ability to finish and play in games.

Those guys will be able to say, "Man, in college, I started over Lucas Van Ness."

 

[Cornelius Weems]

So you would have picked Jack Campbell?

Personally, at the time I told everyone (confidently) we were going to pick OT Broderick Jones and maybe JSN. Then I added "well, it could be Van Ness" as the commissioner was walking to the podium. I'm very happy with the pick, even though I would have done differently.

It doesn't make sense to decide which side of the ball to pick from ahead of time based on past drafts. You draft the best player to help your team. And Gute has put us into a position to go deep jnto the playoffs, IMHO, the last few years.

It's okay to disagree. There were more than one great player available.

Okay, I will say this again, he was never a run-stopper in college, but now you are expecting to be? Against superior talent? Jack was known as the player to be feared for his run stopping ability, so IMO, he was way less of a reach. I honestly just wanted our team to not pick another defensive player as we've picked almost exclusively defense for the first round (except JL) since 2010.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

You are aware of the unique structure Iowa follows in regards of underclassmen and upperclassmen correct?

I never knew that, until I read it earlier this morning. Interesting system, shows that the program is loyal to their players for committing to the University. Needless to say, just because JVN didn't "start", it sounds like he still got as many snaps as the guys ahead of him. I tried to verify that, but didn't spend a lot of time looking snap counts.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Those guys will be able to say, "Man, in college, I started over Lucas Van Ness."

LVN can say; "The Packers traded Aaron Rodgers so that they could draft me"

 

[tynimiller]

I never knew that, until I read it earlier this morning. Interesting system, shows that the program is loyal to their players for committing to the University. Needless to say, just because JVN didn't "start", it sounds like he still got as many snaps as the guys ahead of him. I tried to verify that, but didn't spend a lot of time looking snap counts.

He actually got more than many of them, he just didn't start due to their structure.

 

[gopkrs]

Okay, I will say this again, he was never a run-stopper in college, but now you are expecting to be? Against superior talent? Jack was known as the player to be feared for his run stopping ability, so IMO, he was way less of a reach. I honestly just wanted our team to not pick another defensive player as we've picked almost exclusively defense for the first round (except JL) since 2010.

Pretty sure we are saying (at least I am) that LVN played on the inside a lot. It is not foreign territory to him. And he certainly has to be better than Lowry. But mainly that he has shown ability to play at both places. And has shown pass rush ability from the inside. Not to say that his main position won't be outside. We'll have to see.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Pretty sure we are saying (at least I am) that LVN played on the inside a lot. It is not foreign territory to him. And he certainly has to be better than Lowry. But mainly that he has shown ability to play at both places. And has shown pass rush ability from the inside. Not to say that his main position won't be outside. We'll have to see.

From what I have seen in the film and have read, he can play all over. I would not be surprised to seem him with his hand on the ground on the DL or standing up as an OLB. Let's put it this way, in 2023, I expect to see Gary (when healthy), Preston and LVN on the field at the same time. I think the Packers will also use him on special teams, at least in year 1.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Yeah I was actually hoping they would have traded up for Tyree Wilson, who went at #7 to LV.

I'm actually glad that they didn't. That would have cost at least an additional 2nd round pick. Wilson looks like he is going to be a good player, but so does LVN.

 

[Firethorn1001]

I hope Smith doesn't behave like Rodgers did when Love was drafted.

If he goes on to win DPOY 2 years in a row, that would be pretty sweet.

 

[mradtke66]

From what I have seen in the film and have read, he can play all over. I would not be surprised to seem him with his hand on the ground on the DL or standing up as an OLB. Let's put it this way, in 2023, I expect to see Gary (when healthy), Preston and LVN on the field at the same time. I think the Packers will also use him on special teams, at least in year 1.

I'd imagine LVN gets many snaps in nickel as a 3T. Unsure how many total snaps he'll get, at least once Gary is healthy. Early in the season, I'd presume he and Engabare (sp?) will rotate opposite Preston.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

We will have to see how the next few days play out, but possibly Gute and the Packers are very happy with what they saw in both Watson and Doubs and feel that they are the 1-2 for the future. Doesn't mean they don't need another WR or 2, but maybe not bad enough to use their #1 pick on.

 

[OldSchool101]

Didn't say was a horrible pick, just saying I would've picked different. I saw almost every game he did play and I didn't see run-stopper. Also, 1 pick doesn't = whole draft. Adding j/k seems insincere after all you said. I want to keep things nice and civil so let's just agree to disagree, cool?

Cool. You have to understand that Idc if you wanted another player that’s fine, so did I. Am I mad at myself? No

I have a right to contest your opinion and I apologized if you thought it was a personal attack. Not intended at all.

I fully appreciate you wanting a different player, but we did have like 30% of the posters in here that chose Lukas Van Ness. Why was that? Did they all think we didn’t need a TE? No
Stop fretting and relax. It’s not like we chose a 2nd Round RB at #9 overall.

We’ve got 3 good players about to come aboard in the next 47 selections or so. You’ll likely see someone you admire just be patient. There’s 16 WR/TE rated inside #100 overall that are still available. If you recall the Watson pick was a better choice than several top flight WR in the top 18 and he was 16 selections behind Treylon Burks. Who won there?? The Packers that’s who

 

[Dantés]

I was expecting offense, but the board falling the way that it did suggests to me that they didn't see the value.

Johnson and Wright at OT were gone. Jones was there, but Jones has some serious critics in the league. I am not capable of judging the finer points of OL play, but Cosell didn't like him at all, Thorn pointed out a lot of flaws, and I heard that one OL coach said he has bad feet in pass pro. I do know that Isaiah McGuire lit him up like a Christmas tree.

Most of us loved JSN, including myself, but the league simply didn't feel the same way that the media did. The WR's didn't start going until pick #20.

A TE at #12 is really early. They better be amazing. And clearly the league didn't see that, because only one TE went and he lasted to #26.

So at that point what do you do? Take offense just for the sake of saying you took offense? Or take the much more highly rated pass rusher?

 

[DoURant]

I see Van Ness as Preston Smith's eventual successor. I hope Smith doesn't behave like Rodgers did when Love was drafted.

Well.... he did offer to give him his #91.... for the right price, lol

 

[OldSchool101]

I hope we land either Mayer, Washington, Musgrave or Kraft and my concerns at TE will diminish greatly. All those players should have productive careers (barring injury)

I suspect Mayer and Washington go first. Musgrave is the perfect option for a team willing to wait 1-2 seasons to see him flourish. He has an impressive body type, thick and fast and while he had another low productivity college stat line, he has a very high ceiling. Both him and Kraft are proven in Cold weather, which is a +