100 Days of Mocks: Packers Add to Pass Rush in Football Outsiders’ Mock
GREEN BAY, Wis. – Rashan Gary’s torn ACL exposed the lack of big-time playmakers on the Green Bay Packers’ defensive front as well as the lack of depth at outside linebacker.
With that in mind, Benjamin Robinson went with Iowa’s Lukas Van Ness in a new mock draft for Football Outsiders.
“The Packers have historically tended to stray away from offensive skill positions in the first round of the draft, and I don't expect that to change,” he wrote. “Upgrading a defense that played below expectations with some pass-rush punch is in order, and Iowa's Lukas Van Ness has both power and speed in his arsenal. He would team nicely with burgeoning star Rashan Gary and established veteran Preston Smith.”
Adding at outside linebacker is a necessity. There’s no guarantee Gary – his relentless work ethic notwithstanding – is going to be ready for Week 1. And who knows when vintage Gary – he had six sacks in eight games before the injury – will return to the field.
Preston Smith had a strong series of games during the second half of the season but just one quarterback hit in the final two games. Rookie Kingsley Enagbare showed some promise but had only one sack after Gary went down.
In two seasons at Iowa, Van Ness recorded 13 sacks and 19 tackles for losses. He was second-team all-Big Ten as a redshirt sophomore this past season despite not being a starter. Listed at 6-foot-5 and 275 pounds, he fits the Packers’ big-guy mold at the position.
“This is an incredibly deep edge rusher class with so many different styles and body shapes,” wrote PFF’s Marcus Mosher in a list of underrated draft prospects. “Nonetheless, one of our favorites is Van Ness, who is among the best power rushers in the class, as he posted an 18.8% pass-rush win rate this season. He's faced some pretty good competition over the last few years, including Northwestern's Peter Skorkonski and Ohio State's Paris Johnson.”
Van Ness’ nickname? Hercules.
“He definitely has a physique,” defensive line coach Kelvin Bell told The Athletic. “Hats off to his mom and dad. That kid hit the genetic lottery.”
The Kansas City Chiefs, who won the Super Bowl, finished fifth in the NFL in sack percentage. The Philadelphia Eagles, who reached the Super Bowl, finished first. The Packers finished 17th. A better pass rush would play into the hands of a ballhawking secondary that finished second in interception percentage.
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100 Days of Mocks
Starting Jan. 17, when there were 100 days until the start of the NFL Draft, we started our mock-worthy goal of 100 mock drafts in 100 days. Here’s the 100-day-countdown series.
71 days: 33rd Team trades Rodgers in two-rounder
71 days (bonus): Todd McShay 2.0
72 days: Packers take receiver to start NFL.com three-rounder
73 days: Packers fill big need with big man
74 days: Rodgers traded, take two pass-catchers in first round
75 days: Two NFL.com mocks, two different tight ends
76 days: Tight end and pass rusher in two-rounder by NFL Draft Bible
77 days: Rodgers traded to Raiders for No. 7 pick
78 days: A seven-round mock includes Big Ten playmakers
79 days: Rodgers traded in two-round mock
80 days: Packers take safety in ESPN mock
81 days: Aaron Rodgers traded in three-round mock
82 days: Seven mocks, including NFL.com
83 days: Two pass-catchers in first-round mocks
84 days: Aaron Rodgers traded for extra first-round pick
85 days: PFF picks a pass rusher
86 days: Tight end in NFL Draft Bible Mock
87 days: Packers trade back, get extra second-rounder
88 days: Sorry, vacation day.
89 days: A “Eureka!” moment in two-round mock
90 days: Playmaking cornerback at PFF
91 days: Three defensive backs in seven-round mock
92 days: Kiper takes a tight end
93 days: Safety first for Bucky Brooks in NFL.com mock
94 days: College Football News mocks Mayer
95 days: Two firsts if Rodgers is traded
96 days: NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah goes back to Georgia
97 days: This pick would break a long drought
