Packers rookie has an opportunity to win major award
The Green Bay Packers made yet another intriguing first-round draft pick over the weekend. Iowa EDGE Lukas Van Ness isn’t a pass-catcher, but the rookie still could prove to be an asset to Jordan Love and this new-look Packers offense. The best defense is a good offense is an old adage mostly used to inspire […]
The Green Bay Packers made yet another intriguing first-round draft pick over the weekend. Iowa EDGE Lukas Van Ness isn’t a pass-catcher, but the rookie still could prove to be an asset to Jordan Love and this new-look Packers offense.
The best defense is a good offense is an old adage mostly used to inspire hope in teams with an insufficient group of defenders. However, Green Bay is hoping to flip the famed football saying in 2023.
Van Ness will immediately play a key role in the Packers defense. Green Bay finished the 2022 regular season T-27th in the NFL with just 34 sacks as a defense. The former Hawkeye tallied 13 sacks in his final two seasons in college and should provide a boost in such a critical metric.
But it’s not his ability to affect the passer that should excite Packers fans. Van Ness also registered 19 tackles for loss in that same timeframe. It’s part of the reason why oddsmakers believe he has a legitimate shot to bring home some impressive hardware as a rookie.
Defensive Rookie of the Year Odds, per BetMGM:
- Will Anderson: +350
- Jalen Carter: +600
- Tyree Wilson: +700
- Devon Witherspoon: +900
- Christian Gonzalez: +1000
- Lukas Van Ness: +1200
- Nolan Smith/Emmanuel Forbes: +1600
- Jack Campbell: +1800
*All other players are listed at +2000 or greater.
The folks down in the desert aren’t wrong often as displayed by the tall buildings and bright lights in Sin City. Van Ness has all of the tools, and will have a significant enough role to win this award.
Packers fans didn’t get their wish of a pass-catcher in Round 1. With that being said, Van Ness has an opportunity to shorten the field by turning over opposing offenses, which is something Love should be able to get behind in his first season as the full-time starter.
