The New England Patriots are in a position they haven’t been in for a long time. While they have tried to hold off for as long as possible, this is a team that is in a state of transition. That is what happens when you are forced to move on from a quarterback of Tom Brady’s caliber, which the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are also learning the hard way this offseason.
New England is one of the toughest teams in the NFL to evaluate when it comes to the 2023 NFL Draft. There are a few needs up and down the roster that will need addressing. In the first round, it would not be surprising if they target the trenches.
The Patriots need help along both the offense and defensive lines. On the offensive side of the ball, Ohio State’s Paris Johnson Jr. could be a target at No. 14. He would fill their void at left tackle and hopefully be a long-term option.
On the defensive side of the ball, Lukas Van Ness out of Iowa could be in play. Van Ness has some tape that really stands out. He recorded 37 total tackles in 2022, picking up 10.5 tackles for loss and 6.0 sacks. While more consistency would have been nice to see, it is easy to project Van Ness as a long-term prospect.
He possesses the size and frame of a prototypical defensive end and tested very well at the NFL Combine. He not only has a relatively safe floor but there is potential for him to continue developing as a pro and become a very good player.
Early on in his career with the Hawkeyes, Van Ness was an interior player along the defensive line. He was deployed more on the edge in 2022 and that versatility will come in handy at the next level. While he may not currently have the size to consistently kick inside, having the experience of doing it never hurts.
There are some experience concerns as Van Ness never started a game for Iowa; he played a big part in their rotation, but that could hurt him in the early going. Getting more playing time will also help him overcome his lack of block recognition and improve the moves he uses to get after the quarterback.
Van Ness would be a foundational piece for the Patriots on their defense. Matt Judon, Josh Uche and Deatrich Wise Jr. provide a strong group of pass rushers and edge defenders for Van Ness to mix in with in the early going before having his role expand down the road when he is ready for it.
