With one game left in the regular season, the Green Bay Packers have a clear pecking order forming in their edge rusher room. And the results may surprise you.
In last week’s win over the New Orleans Saints, Brenton Cox Jr. played eight more snaps on defense than Lukas Van Ness. In Sunday’s loss to the Minnesota Vikings, Cox played 29 snaps on defense compared to 25 for Van Ness.
Why is this alarming? Cox was signed as an undrafted free agent following the 2023 NFL Draft, while Van Ness was the 13th overall pick.
Over the past three games, Cox has been one of Green Bay’s most productive edge rushers, producing two sacks and 12 pressures. Van Ness has zero sacks and half as many pressures during that same span.
Cox’s late-season surge deserves recognition, but it also casts a glaring spotlight on Van Ness, who has struggled to meet expectations in Year 2.
According to Pro Football Focus, among the 36 edge rushers that entered the league in 2023, Van Ness ranks 12th with 19 total pressures on the season and 13th in pass rush win percentage. Meanwhile, Cox has been far more efficient, recording 17 pressures despite playing 240 fewer snaps than Van Ness. Cox’s pass rush win percentage is also the second-highest in the class at 17.0 percent.
A healthy scratch for the first nine games, Cox has done an outstanding job of making the most of his opportunities since his role increased drastically following the midseason trade of Preston Smith.
The Packers made the move, hoping players like Van Ness would step up to fill the void. In some games, he’s risen to the occasion. In others, you’d leave the game wondering if he even played a single down.
When Green Bay drafted Van Ness out of Iowa, there was an understanding that he was an underdeveloped prospect. While he certainly had the preferred size and athleticism you covet at the position, his skill set was extremely raw. Nearly two seasons in, Van Ness remains a work in progress. While his athletic traits are undeniable, his development as a pass rusher has yet to catch up to his potential.
Elevating that concern is being outplayed by Cox, who was passed up 259 times during last year’s draft. Of course, that had more to do with Cox’s off-the-field concerns than his ability.
In Green Bay, the coaches could care less about how you got there after you are on the roster. Still, it’s difficult to ignore the fact that a former UDFA is outplaying Van Ness.
It’s too early to write off a top-15 pick in his second season, but questions about Van Ness’ trajectory are becoming harder to ignore.