Kiper Mock 3.0: Packers Bolster Pass Rush

ESPN’s Mel Kiper rolled out his third mock draft on Tuesday. Here’s the Green Bay Packers’ selection at No. 15 overall.

Author:
Bill Huber
Updated:
Mar 21, 2023 10:54 AM EDT
Original:
Mar 21, 2023

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Green Bay Packers

GREEN BAY, Wis. – ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper “thought long and hard” about picking a receiver for the Green Bay Packers in his latest NFL mock draft but instead went with Iowa edge defender Lukas Van Ness with the 15th selection.

“Green Bay ranked 28th in both yards per play allowed (5.8) and yards per carry allowed (5.0) last season, and it tied for 27th in sacks (34),” Kiper explained. “A sophomore leap from (Devonte) Wyatt and Rashan Gary's return from a torn ACL in his right knee will be a boost, but a versatile player such as Van Ness would be a great addition. At 6-foot-5, 272 pounds, Van Ness has the flexibility to play tackle and end; he had 13.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks last season. Again, there's a lot up in the air about the Packers, but teams always covet edge rushers.”

Van Ness fits the big-guy mold that’s been evident with all their recent stalwarts at outside linebacker: Gary, Preston Smith and Za’Darius Smith. Van Ness’ “Hercules” nickname hints to his powerful style of play.

In two seasons at Iowa, Van Ness had 13.5 sacks and 19.5 tackles for losses while never starting a game.

“I’m looking forward to getting that that first start at the next level,” Van Ness said at the Scouting Combine. “So, coming in with a chip on my shoulder, I’m just ready to put my nose down to work.”

Van Ness ranked eighth in the draft class in pass-rushing productivity, a Pro Football Focus metric that combines sacks, hits and hurries per pass-rushing snap. He’s also a stout run defender, which would help take care of that aforementioned 28th-ranked run defense.

“Playing on our side of the conference in the Big Ten West, we had a lot of running games, so you had to love the run,” he said. “It was one of the favorite parts of the game for me, getting to line up from the guy across from you, coming out of your hips and blowing them up and setting the edge. It’s definitely one of my favorite parts of the game.”

Who did Kiper pass over among the receivers? Ohio State’s Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who Kiper wrote could evolve into a “true No. 1,” Boston College’s Zay Flowers and TCU’s Quentin Johnston, “who will break a bunch of tackles and score long touchdowns.” He also bypassed three tight ends who wound up going in his first round.

Click here for the full mock.