The Green Bay Packers made sure their defense was address this off-season. They did so in many ways. A new defensive coordinator, defensive passing game, and defensive line coach were all brought in. They made a splash free agent signing in Xavier McKinney, and they address multiple areas of weakness in the draft.
The draft featured three safeties and one linebacker taken, most of whom could see significant playing time in 2024. However, one second year player could absolutely take off this season.
The Green Bay Packers Expect Major Things Out Of One Second Year Defender
Alex Ballentine of Bleacher Report broke down exactly what the Packers hope to see out of Lukas Van Ness this season:
OTAs aren’t just a place where rookies can shine. It can also offer the first glimpse into a second-year player who is ready to make a leap.
Lukas Van Ness checks that box for the Packers.
Van Ness was the team’s first-round pick last season. He was just 21 years old when they drafted him so a slow start was expected, but he started to make his presence felt over the second half of the season.
He posted four sacks in his final eight games of the season and earned the respect of teammate Rashan Gary.
“He’s not even scratching the surface, man. He’s just starting,” Gary said, per Wes Hodkiewicz of the team’s official site. “The player he was coming in, from rookie minicamp to the guy he’s leaving now to have an offseason to work on his game, is completely different.”
The switch to Jeff Hafley’s 4-3 base defense should help Van Ness accelerate his development. His power and frame make him a much better fit as a hand-in-the-dirt defensive end than a standup linebacker, even though he had success in that role last season.
The scheme fit and evolution as a player should be evident throughout OTAs and minicamp.
The Packers Could Have Something Special At Edge Rusher This Season
Wm. Glasheen USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
There is a number of bright spots at the edge rusher position heading into the 2024 season. Rashan Gary is expected to get back to his dominant form. Preston Smith remains the veteran who has an extremely high football IQ.
Lukas Van Ness has all the potential in the world to take that second year leap. The unexpected bright spot was getting Kingsley Enagbare back for the start of OTAs. Many believed he had torn his ACL in the playoffs against the Dallas Cowboys. However, that wasn’t the case and now the pass rusher position is one of the deepest on the team.
Jeff Hafley is expected to bring a whole new blitz package to this defense, one that will unleash these players like never before.
