Back in January, it looked like Iowa Hawkeyes edge rusher Lukas Van Ness would be selected sometime in the second or third day of the 2023 NFL Draft. Fast forward three months, and he’s now expected to be selected in the first round.
So, who is Van Ness and what about him is so special?
At the NFL’s Scouting Combine, which took place in March, Van Ness was at the top of his position in almost every category. His 40-yard dash, a 4.58, was at the top of his class along with his impressive athleticism scores.
“Overall, he is a very strong prospect both literally and figuratively. The first thing that most teams will think of is his overwhelming power. He showcased this against Peter Skoronski [projected 1st-round pick, Northwestern]… He’ll automatically cause disruptions in the NFL.”
The Sports Place Draft Analyst Lincoln Heimbach on Lukas Van Ness
During the combine, the 21-year-old met with 28 of the NFL’s 32 teams, a source told The Sports Place. His character and maturity impressed those who met with him in Indianapolis, a source said.
Not only did he score well in all of the metrics that are measured at the Combine, but Van Ness also impressed with his on-field ability in that portion of the annual event.
Following the Combine, his draft stock continued to skyrocket, and he has since become a candidate to be a top-ten pick.
Van Ness met with all 32 of the NFL’s teams via virtual meetings, a source said.
The Barrington, Illinois native also met with six teams at their facilities for “Top 30” visits ahead of the draft, a source said — the Detroit Lions, Houston Texans, New England Patriots, Philadelphia Eagles, Seattle Seahawks, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Now, with the draft approaching on Thursday, April 27, Lukas Van Ness has done everything that he possibly could have in order to make teams interested. He is taking part in the waiting game.
He’s peaked at sixth overall in some mock drafts and has also been mocked in the 20s.
But when the draft begins on Thursday night, he’s not going to have to wait very long to hear his name called. Keep an eye out for whatever team grabs him.
