Unsure about the health of its top rusher, the Green Bay Packers opted to go with depth rather than giving its new quarterback a weapon in the first round of the NFL Draft Thursday night.
With the recently acquired 13th pick, the Packers selected Iowa's Lukas Van Ness. According to Packers.com, Van Ness (6-5, 272) had 13½ sacks among 19½ tackles for loss over the last two seasons, his only two on the field for the Hawkeyes after redshirting in 2020. He was named a freshman All-American in 2021 and then second-team All-Big Ten this past season. The Packers hope Van Ess can at least provide a reliable pass rush while they wait for former top draft pick Rashan Gary to return from injury.
The NFL Draft will restart at 6 p.m. on Friday with the second and third rounds. The Packers hold picks 42 and 45 in the second round and pick 78 in the third round.
