Lukas Van Ness

What is everyone’s thoughts on Van Ness in the first round? I would not draft him as an OLB/Edge but more as 3-4 DL that could play the 3 or 5 Technique. I know he is a little light at 270lbs, but he doesn’t have an ounce of fat on him. The guy is solid muscle and powerful and quick for his size. He has a relentless motor. If you pack 15 - 20 lbs on him I think he could withstand the rigors of playing 3 and 5 tech. This guy at 285 lbs is like most dudes at 300 lbs with his power and muscle mass. A lot of those 300 lb DL have tummys on them. This guy is an athlete with a motor. I know everyone wants the big NT but I really feel this is more what the Steelers look for in their style of defense. They can always pick up the big NT Texas Cloburn in the later rounds to fill the NT role.

 

Would not take him at 17. If he's there at 32 then that might be a guy worth having. There are better choices for the interior defensive line than him though. Mazi Smith or Siaki Ika will probably be there at 32. Either of those guys would suit the steelers much better than Van Ness. I see him as more of an edge guy that a run stopper in the middle. With all the buzz around him he might go before 17 but I think he'll be around for the end of the 2nd or early 3rd. But then what do I know?????

 

I like Mazi Smith but his production doesn’t line up with his physical attributes. I think he can be had middle of second round. I wouldn’t touch Siaki with a ten foot pole. The Steelers just don’t value guys like him. His production actually went down his senior year in college from the junior year. I think he is going to have weight and condition issues in Pro’s and why would you spend a high second on a two down player? If any DL slides I think it will definitely be Siaki.

You put 20 lbs on Ness and I believe he is a bon fide Star in my mind. I believe your right though that he probably won’t be there at 17 from what the draft pundits are saying. Mazi Smith would be a nice consolation if we don’t get Ness but I worry about his motor and can he play three downs consistently? If not then getting a NT in the later rounds is probably a more prudent option.

The real question is can Ness be like an Aaron Smith at a bulked up 295 and play with the same power and twitch and be productive a a starter over a 16 game season. He hasn’t played a lot in college but thats because Iowa gives preference to Seniors. Checkout Ness’s highlights, you may change your mind on him.

 

I would not be upset if they took him at 32. Don't know what he'll be there but if he were it would be hard to pas on him. But I think we'll be looking at someone else by pick 32.