Defensive lineman Lukas Van Ness. Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

Lukas Van Ness selection continues Packers’ bizarre draft streak

By Michael Gallagher | Last updated 4/27/23

After trading quarterback Aaron Rodgers to the New York Jets, it was presumed the Packers would draft an offensive skill player to help out Jordan Love as he prepares for his first season as Green Bay’s starting quarterback.

Instead, the Packers grabbed Iowa defensive end Lukas Van Ness, extending a 21-year streak of not using a first-round pick on a running back, wide receiver or tight end, according to ESPN Stats & Info.

Over that span, Green Bay used 17 first-round picks on defensive players. The only offensive players the team took in Round 1 were quarterbacks (Rodgers, Love) and offensive tackles (Derek Sherrod, Bryan Bulaga).

"Packers are drafting a WR this year"

Packers: pic.twitter.com/iTtYaWLGeV
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 28, 2023

The last time the Packers drafted a running back or pass catcher in the first round was in 2002 when they took Florida State receiver Javon Walker 20th overall. Walker made a Pro Bowl in 2004 and totaled 157 receptions, 2,444 yards and 22 touchdowns in four seasons in Green Bay.

While Van Ness bolsters the Packers pass rush — he tallied 13 sacks and 19 tackles for loss over the last two years at Iowa — he doesn’t do much to help Green Bay’s passing offense, which ranked 17th in the NFL but lost both Rodgers and receiver Allen Lazard in the offseason.

In taking Van Ness, Green Bay passed on top receivers including Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Jordan Addison, Quentin Johnston and Zay Flowers, plus top tight ends Dalton Kincaid, Michael Mayer and Luke Musgrave.

Green Bay’s top returning receivers, Christian Watson (41 receptions, 611 yards, seven touchdowns) and Romeo Doubs (42 receptions, 425 yards, three touchdowns), both had fine rookie seasons but neither are true No. 1 wideouts right now. The Packers ranked 19th in receiving yards per game (228.8) and 21st in yards per reception (10.7).

The Packers' next selections come at No. 42 and 45 overall in the second round, and it's expected one of those picks will be used on a pass catcher.

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