The Packers still have some work to do regarding draft signings, but they checked off their top box Tuesday. Green Bay signed first-round pick Lukas Van Ness to his rookie contract.
Van Ness’ deal will be fully guaranteed and will run through 2026. The Packers can extend the contract through 2027 via the fifth-year option. While that decision will not be due until May 2026, the Packers have not declined a fifth-year option since passing on 2013 first-rounder Datone Jones‘ in 2016.
Van Ness made some draft history by going in the first round despite never starting a game at Iowa. The 6-foot-5, 272-pound defensive lineman still zoomed onto the Round 1 radar, clocking a 4.58-second 40-yard dash at the Combine after impressing as a critical off-the-bench cog with the Hawkeyes. Van Ness, who totaled 13 sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss during his final two college seasons, has experience rushing from the edge and interior posts along the defensive line. That will give the Packers options.
Green Bay chose Van Ness with the No. 13 overall pick it obtained from New York in the Aaron Rodgers swap completed days before the draft. Moving up two spots, the Packers took a defensive player once again opted for defense in Round 1. Although the team traded up for Jordan Love in 2020, that is the only offensive investment the team has made in Round 1 over the past 12 drafts.
Over the past several months, the Packers lost Rashan Gary to a torn ACL and lost Dean Lowry in free agency. The team is expected to move 2022 first-rounder Devonte Wyatt into its starting lineup alongside Kenny Clark. Van Ness could fit as an edge rusher alongside Gary and Preston Smith or an interior presence with Clark on passing downs. This addition gives the Packers intriguing choices, assuming Gary returns to full strength, along their front seven.
Even after the Van Ness agreement, the Packers still have both their second-round picks — tight end Luke Musgrave and wide receiver Jayden Reed — unsigned. Guarantee issues involving second-round picks have gridlocked the middle of that round, with no players chosen between Nos. 40 and 48 having signed yet. Musgrave went off the board 42nd.