Pass-rush will always be a need on the defensive side of the ball, and the New England Patriots are leaving no stone unturned in their pursuit of boosting their defensive front, even if it means spending a first-round draft pick.
Iowa defensive end Lukas Van Ness, who is projected to go in the first round of the 2023 NFL draft, was at Gillette Stadium visiting the Patriots on Thursday. With linebacker Josh Uche entering the final year of his contract, the Patriots could be looking to the future when it comes to the defensive front.
Van Ness is coming off a year where he piled up 37 tackles and 10.5 sacks, while nabbing an All-Big Ten Second-Team award in the process.
Add EDGE Lukas Van Ness to the list of top edge rushers who’ve had a ‘30’ visit with the #Patriots. They’ve also reportedly hosted Tyree Wilson and Nolan Smith. pic.twitter.com/VWh6YdH8SO
— Evan Lazar (@ezlazar) April 12, 2023
Even if the Patriots have no intention of drafting a pass-rusher at No. 14 overall, it’s still important for them to do their due diligence just in case a player falls on the draft board.
Van Ness is clearly a player that has their interest, and they’ll be watching him closely on night one.
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