4 Packers who will immediately benefit from Jeff Hafley replacing Joe Barry

3. Lukas Van Ness

The Packers' front seven should have no trouble moving to a 4-3 defense, especially Lukas Van Ness. Jeff Hafley's system is closer to what Van Ness played at Iowa than Barry's. Van Ness has the strength and power to put his hand in the dirt and play across the defensive line in a 4-3. Hafley could move him inside to take advantage of favorable matchups on occasion.

Van Ness could be in line for more snaps in his second season, especially if Preston Smith becomes a cap casualty. The Packers smartly eased him in this year, and his play was trending up in the latter stages of the season.

The first-round pick made a sack in the season opener against the Chicago Bears but had none in the following 10 games. However, he finished strong, making three sacks, six QB hits, and three tackles for loss in the final six games. Van Ness added another sack in the wild-card win over the Dallas Cowboys.

Van Ness is an ascending player with massive upside. A switch in defensive philosophy could help unlock his potential. His size, athleticism, and power perfectly position him for a featured role in Hafley's defense.