Packers 2023 Draft Highlighted by 13th Overall Pick, Iowa Linebacker Lukas Van Ness 

Given the recent trade of long-time Quarterback Aaron Rodgers, the Packers used this year’s draft as a huge opportunity to move forward with picks like Iowa linebacker Lukas Van Ness and other young prospects.  

Friday night’s day one of the NFL draft highlighted many promising prospects chosen to their now-designated franchises.   

From Alabama Quarterback Bryce Young hearing his name first to the Carolina Panthers to the universally agreed number one prospect, Georgia Defensive Tackle Jalen Carter falling in the lap of last season’s Super Bowl contending Philadelphia Eagles at number nine.   

For Packer fans, much anticipation went into Thursday night’s first round of the draft.  

The team previously held the 15th overall pick but later packaged it along with QB Aaron Rodgers for the Jets’ 13th overall pick. As a result, many were left speculating about the decision that would come from the franchise.  

The past has shown the Packer’s tendency to draft defensively in the first round, so this year’s first selection was expectedly made with Iowa linebacker Lukas Van Ness.  

The 6-foot 5-inch, 272-pound 21-year-old Van Ness rallied an impressive 70 tackles and 13 sacks in his two seasons on the University of Iowa field, according to Sports-Reference.com.

He also won the Team Hustle Award for his 2022 season and earned a spot on the second-team all-Big-Ten.  

At this point in his career, Van Ness is considered a raw prospect in development which is dependable in terms of durability and can work in various positions within the Packers scheme.  

NBC’s Chris Simms ranked Van Ness as his second-best edge rusher in the entire draft 

Simms joking dubbed the physically staggering edge rusher as “Hercules from Iowa.” 

a video of Sports personality and show host Chris Simms ranking and discussing Lukas Van Ness as a prospect can be found on the NFL on NBC’s YouTube channel here.  

Packers Offensive Drafting  

Although Van Ness seems to have many promising traits and potential, many Packers fans expected the team to approach aggressively in this draft by selecting a receiver early on.  

I spoke directly with WAOW 9 sports/news anchor Keegan Hewitt, who spent his Friday night at Lambeau Field covering the draft.

He talked about how he, like many, predicted the team would select a receiver first.  

“I predicted live on air that the Packers would take Jaxson Smith-Njigba, the receiver from Ohio State,” said Hewitt. “But I followed it up, saying I would not be surprised with a pass rusher. It was a safe pick with a lot of potential.”  

Because the Packers are led by young 24-year-old QB Jordan Love, offensive weapons needed to be taken in this year’s draft to help ease the pressure with inexperienced Quarterback play.  

When asked what direction he thought the front office would go regarding the first pick, Hewitt emphasized offense and noted his satisfaction with their later-round picks.  

“I thought they would take offense, but now in hindsight – they loaded up the offense in the 2nd, third, and fourth rounds,” said Hewitt. “So, it worked out to be an excellent choice.”  

Thanks to the Packers’ bundle of offensive-minded picks in rounds 2 and 3, QB Jordan Love can expect some new targets to throw to.  

Acquisitions of highly scouted Oregon State Tight End Luke Musgrave, selected at 42, and Michigan State Wide Receiver Jayden Reed, selected at 50, answered some of the looming questions around the direction of the newly led offense.  

Hewitt noted that the fan reception appeared once the offensive picks were made.  

“Initially, it was two-sided with Van Ness, but after taking some offensive weapons on day 2 – fans cannot complain,” he said  

He also noted that “the media was excited about the pick,” referring to Van Ness.  

When asked what angle the franchise was approaching the draft process, these picks align with the ethic Hewitt explained, acknowledging that they had yet to draft a wide receiver in the first round since 2002 when they selected Florida State WR Javon Walker.  

“They believe they can find their “diamonds in the rough” in later rounds,” he said. “Like Davante Adams in the third round a few years back and the same with Jordy Nelson before him.”  

“They value depth on defense more than a hopeful superstar,” he said.  

Given these picks and the status of the evolution of the rest of their competing division, it is hard to say if the Packers are destined for a rebuilding window or to go back to the usual win-now approach.  

Hewitt gave his take on the picks and what they potentially mean for the franchise moving forward.  

“It is a little of both; it is filling the holes we need and creating depth moving forward,” he said. “But it still is a need we have right now, like taking two top Tight Ends in the class.”  

Management’s Reflection on the Draft  

Green Bay General Manager Brian Gutekunst addressed the media to reflect on the picks made and what role these new additions can play for the team.   

“The guys that we took later are guys that are bigger, stronger, you know, guys probably a little more typical of the guys we take,” said Gutekunst. “Jayden is a little bit on the slighter side, but when you watch him win contested ball repeatedly, you feel better about that.”  

Gutekunst referred to the slimmer 5-foot 11-inch, 187-pound frame of newly acquired Wide Receiver Jayden Reed.  

Later in the press conference, he answered why the franchise had emphasized the importance of versatility in these prospects.  

“We have been doing that for a bit the last few years, and this goes back to Ted more than anyone, but you never know what will happen during a season,” he said. “With injuries and as long as our season is and the injuries you go through, guys must be able to do multiple things.”  

This emphasis on versatility goes back to the versatility that Linebacker Lukas Van Ness provides and others like Reed, who can provide play as both a receiver and returner.  

The video of Gutekunst’s post-draft press conference on The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s YouTube channel can be found here.  

The final verdict will be on these picks that have come at such a pivotal moment in the franchise’s history once the draftees get a chance to hit the field and make their mark in the league.