EDGE – Lukas Van Ness, Iowa

6050-275, 3SO         Barrington, Illinois

Games Reviewed: Ohio St(2022), Purdue(2022), Iowa St(2022)

Lukas Van Ness (91) EDGE-Iowa

Lukas Van Ness (91) EDGE-Iowa

 

Pro: Length

Van Ness is the prototypical size for a player who played multiple roles for the Hawkeyes defense. Specifically on the edge Van Ness does an elite job at utilizing his length to gain leverage advantages. He is able to get into a blocker’s pads and drive them back before they can properly get hands on him. Length is one of the most valued measurables for both tackles and EDGE rushers and Van Ness is a prime example on why elite length in the trenches is so important.

 

Con: Flexibility

Similar to other bigger bodied EDGE rushers, Van Ness lacks top end athleticism specifically in his flexibility. He struggles to unlock his core, hips or ankles to bend around the top of the arc vs offensive tackles. Van Ness has the necessary burst and lower body power to attack wit speed rushes if he was a bit more flexible. Iowa worked around this by reducing Van Ness inside which is something he may need to do at the next level to ensure he isn’t overmatched on the edge.

 

Pro: Speed to Power

With length already being a strength, the ability to convert good get off to rush power is a 1-2 punch that makes Van Ness a lock for the first round. While not the top of the class, Van Ness’ first step is at an NFL level and he shows it off both on the edge or when reduced down inside. The power in his hands shows up when he comes on looping stunts or off the line blitzes. Van Ness is capable of bursting out of his stance using his length to get hands on first with a strong pop and bull rush any blockers back.

 

Con: Inexperience(Run Defending/Pass Rush Moves)

While Van Ness is physically dominate against college offensive lineman, his inexperience shows up all over the tape. He did not start a game in college and teams have been able to take advantage of this. There are reps where Van Ness will lose contain vs the run. He has misplayed read options and other misdirection plays that will get inexperienced players like him. Another place his lack of playing time shows up is in his pass rush plan. While physically capable of getting to the QB in multiple ways, he relies a lot on his gifts and a very limited stock of moves with very few counters.

 

Pro: Versatility

Lukas Van Ness has the physical capabilities to fit into every defensive scheme in the book. At Iowa alone he played as a base end with his hand in the ground, a stand up rusher and a 3 technique defensive tackle. Every spot he has played with success. As a stand up rush linebacker, he has dropped into coverage and not looked outmatched while also being dominant against TEs and offensive tackles he rushed against. The 3 point stance maximizes his get off which helps him when on the edge to set a hard contain, and when he is on the interior he beats blockers clean out of their stance.

 

Positional Projection

Van Ness is scheme transcendent, but the best place for him immediately will be as a base 4-3 end with the ability to reduce down inside to rush from a 3 tech position. If a 3-4 team does pick him up he may need to either play the 5 tech DE which is a rare position he hasn’t played, or lose weight to transition to a true outside linebacker. Realistically, year 2 will most likely when he begins to produce numbers with how raw he is coming out of college.

 

Round Speculation

Lukas Van Ness has the potential to jump into the top 10 with how much a team values the athletic traits he brings to the table. I would love for him to go to a team with an established number 1 pass rusher who can allow him to work in slowly and get some actual starting experience under his belt. Predictively Van Ness will look to go as early as 7 to the Raiders and won’t fall past the Vikings at 23. In my most recent mock draft, I have the Cowboys picking him up to complement Micah Parsons, eventually taking over for Demarcus Lawrence.