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Wisconsin usually loads its offensive line with homegrown talent like Van Lanen, who was a two-time first-team all-state pick at Bay Port High School. He also won state titles in the shot put and discus as a junior, something his father accomplished 20 years earlier. It took the Green Bay product three years to find a starting role in the Badgers' deep line, redshirting in 2016, playing as a reserve in 14 games the following fall and then getting one start at left tackle during his 13 appearances in 2018. Big Ten coaches named him honorable mention all-conference during his redshirt junior year, as he started 13 games on the blind side. Although Van Lanen missed the final two games of the 2020 season due to injury, he was voted first-team All-Big Ten for his efforts in five starts at left tackle. -- by Chad Reuter

Overview

College tackle with debilitating length and a lack of athleticism in pass protection that will force a move to guard. Van Lanen is more angular and upright than wide and balanced in his play. When he's allowed to come off the ball as a drive blocker, he shows some potential to generate push. And he already has the hand placement to help make a transition to guard a little easier. He's made for power schemes where he can pull, locate and land to help spring the running game. The short arms and narrow power zone will make both block sustains in the run game and mirroring in pass protection a difficult task in the pros, but he has enough working for him to compete for a backup guard spot.

Strengths

  • Built with sturdy, Midwestern mass.
  • Hands are little charged up into first contact.
  • Upper-body power to generate turn in kick-out blocks.
  • Lower-body drive on "gotta have it" short-yardage blocks.
  • Above-average understanding of hand placement.
  • Quick eyes in adjusting blocks when appropriate.
  • Turns corner and explodes into block on power blocks.
  • Tackle experience will help in pass protection at guard.

Weaknesses

  • Plays with hip tightness and short arms.
  • Pad level rises too tall in initial lateral movements.
  • Could have issues reaching the nose in zone.
  • Pass sets become too straight-legged.
  • Needs to prove he can anchor inside without desired bend.
  • Loses his base width when chasing blockers laterally.
  • Punch is disjointed from his footwork.
  • Average athletic ability to match sub-rushers.
Sources Tell Us

"Yeah, I see him as a guard, too. He's got no length and will get killed by speed rushers if he stays at tackle." -- Area scout for AFC team






Prospect Grade

5.62
Last edited by Boris
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@Henry posted:

What will they do with the other 15?

There are some that should be in a fish or cut bait category.
Yosh, Ben Braden, and Zack Johnson are at the top of that list.
Runyan is more like a 'tweener.
We've got Hanson and Stepaniak from last year.

But, other than Daktari, Turner, and Patrick, and Jenkins to a lesser extent, they are very young and inexperienced. The Packers will have to be careful with that balance.

It would be a blessing if Myers secures the C position, as it allows them to be flexible with Jenkins.
At this moment, we still need a stud at LT until Bak is good to go, and I don't think Turner is the man for that job, so Jenkins is the obvious choice as I see it.
Patrick better man up at either G position, and Runyan can fight it out for the other, or there would be 3 guys (one rookie) with no more than 2 years experience and limited playing time in the middle.

@Timmy! posted:

It would be a blessing if Myers secures the C position, as it allows them to be flexible with Jenkins.
At this moment, we still need a stud at LT until Bak is good to go, and I don't think Turner is the man for that job, so Jenkins is the obvious choice as I see it.
Patrick better man up at either G position, and Runyan can fight it out for the other, or there would be 3 guys (one rookie) with no more than 2 years experience and limited playing time in the middle.

Not to clutter this thread with the Rodgers situation, but who they put at LT until Bakh is ready depends on who the QB is.

If it's Rodgers, you go with a guy that gives you the best chance of not getting run over in pass protection. With Rodgers, you can let him go to the line, read the defense, and take advantage of weaknesses in the coverage. You try to see if your LT can single block at times, get more guys into their routes, and use Rodgers' experience to your advantage.

If it's Love, you go with a guy that gives you the best chance of controlling the LOS in the run game and you can help him out extensively in max protect schemes when you do pass. Even if Love turns out to be a star, he hasn't played a single live snap against an NFL defense. It took Rodgers a year and a half to really get comfortable (6-10 first year). With Love, the offense is going to be really simplified and even more run-heavy.

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