The Most Important Packers: No. 20 — Lukas Van Ness

SportsMoneyThe Most Important Packers: No. 20 — Lukas Van NessByRob Reischel, Contributor

Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights

Rob Reischel is a Wisconsin-based reporter who covers the NFL

All rights reserved The Green Bay Packers went 11-6 last season, sweeping the NFC West and the AFC South along the way

Overall, though, no one in the building was happy

Afterwards, general manager Brian Gutekunst turned up the heat on everybody in the building. “We need to continue to ramp up our sense of urgency,” Gutekunst said. “I think it’s time we started competing for championships. ” Those are fair expectations

The Packers return 20 of 22 starters, and appear to have upgraded the roster via free agency and the draft

With several third and fourth year players upward, Green Bay should be poised to make a move. “I think they’re ready,” Gutekunst said

Now, it’s time for the Packers to ve their G

MORE FOR YOU Green Bay’s first training camp practice is July 23

To tect his broken thumb last year, Van Ness lined up almost exclusively on the right side

That meant Van Ness worked against strictly left tackles, who are typically the best pass blockers on the offensive line. “I was really limited last year,” Van Ness said. “I could only play on the right side for the most part, due to this broken thumb

Van Ness played in all 17 games that year, recorded 32 tackles (24 solo), eight tackles for loss (tied for No. 2 on the team), had one pass defensed, four sacks and 10 quarterback hits (fifth the team)

Van Ness appeared in both postseason contests, recorded five tackles (four solo), a sack, a tackle for a loss and a quarterback hit

Van Ness got better as the year went on, recording four sacks in his final eight games (including playoffs). “It’s hard to put into words,” Van Ness said at the end of 2023 his imvement. “Not even as a player, as a person I’ve matured so much — really grown up

I’m light years ahead of where I was. ” Van Ness, nicknamed Hercules, never started a game during his two seasons at Iowa

He had the largest hands (11 inches) in the defensive line group that year

His arms are also an impressive 34 inches long

Outlook This is an enormous year for Van Ness

And the Packers would love it if Van Ness winds up being among their 10 most important players

While Enagbare is a serviceable player, he lacks many of the athletic traits Van Ness possesses

So Green Bay needs the 23-year-old Van Ness to begin turning mise into duction. “My expectations are always going to be higher for myself than anybody else and I’ve naturally always been that way,” Van Ness said. “I’m hard on myself, but that ultimately is what pushes me and drives me to be a great player

So, my mindset isn't going to change

I’ve still got to come to work, compete for my job, compete for a starting spot and I’m excited to do that this upcoming year. ” They Said It … “It’s important for all our guys, including Lukas

Again, we talked a little bit we need to affect the quarterback more in our front four, with just four players, and Lukas is a big part of that

He does everything he can

He’s everything you want in a fessional as far as his work ethic and what he puts into it, and I expect him to take a big jump this year. ” — Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst on Van Ness “Yeah, I think situationally you can do that

I think in known passing situations there's some thought around that

A lot of it's gonna be dependent on everybody else, as well

Lukas has shown a lot of growth and I'm excited to see him once we get pads on, and really all those guys how they compete. ” — Packers coach Matt LaFleur on Van Ness rushing from inside as well as outside “I think Lukas is a guy that’s imving every year

He’s a guy that’s coming in every single day working his butt off in the classroom and on the practice field

He’s making daily imvements … and for him, I think the sky’s the limit, and I’m looking forward to working with him. ” — Packers defensive line coach DeMarcus Covington on Van Ness THE TOP 30 • No. 30 — RB MarShawn Lloyd • No. 29 — WR Dontayvion Wicks • No. 28 — S Javon Bullard • No. 27 — WR Savion Williams • No. 26 — LB Isaiah McDuffie • No. 25 — OL Jordan Morgan • No. 24 — WR Matthew Golden • No. 23 — CB Carrington Valentine • No. 22 — WR Romeo Doubs • No. 21 — QB Malik Willis Editorial StandardsRes & PermissionsLOADING PLAYER.