Lukas Van Ness still seeking consistency while he follows the Rashan Gary development plan

The Packers believe Lukas Van Ness can have a similar trajectory to Rashan Gary's. The next step is for the young pass rusher to provide more than just good effort.

“We all know he’s athletic, period. There ain’t no doubt about that. Next thing, he loves football. Loves it. He texted me last night at 12:30 asking the three things he can work on on his off day today. And he’s meaner than a rattlesnake. I’m telling you, guys like that, they don’t fail.”

That was former Green Bay Packers outside-linebackers coach Mike Smith talking about Rashan Gary back in August of 2020, but it could just as easily be about Lukas Van Ness. Each player arrived in the NFL as a surprising top pick with underwhelming pass-rush production from a Big Ten school. Their athletic profiles -- hulking defenders who move at a speed belied by their size -- made them high-upside prospects for a team that wouldn’t need them to play right away.

And each played a starkly different position in college than the one demanded of them in the NFL.

“You look at how we’re using him compared to how he played in college and it’s been a big learning curve for him. I’ve said it many times, D-line, outside linebackers, there’s a natural learning curve,” Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said of Van Ness ahead of last January’s playoff tilt with the San Francisco 49ers, adding, “I think a lot of is just the caliber of opponent, the player you’re going against down in and down out.

“I think he’s really shown progress and that’s what you want to see from your young players. I think the more he plays the better he gets.”

The point Smith attempted to make was guys with Gary’s level of physical attributes and the want-to he displayed don’t fail even if they take time to develop. Smith’s comments came as Gary entered Year 2 when the former No. 1 overall recruit would still be backing up Za’Darius and Preston Smith at outside linebacker.

Gary’s ascension to one of the best players at his position didn’t come until the following season when Za’Darius Smith hurt his back. Gary became the new starter, exploding with 81 pressures, according to Pro Football Focus. Coincidentally (or perhaps ironically), Van Ness’ path to starting remains blocked by Preston Smith who has so far eluded Father Time’s ire.

And blocked is still something Van Ness gets a little too often, with this preseason offering both the perfect case for Smith’s assertion and evidence that the young pass rusher still has a long way to go.