Lions roster preview: Jack Campbell is already one of the league’s best linebackers

After a strong year two, Lions’ third-year linebacker Jack Campbell is ready to make his mark as one of the NFL’s best at the position.

We are getting closer to Detroit Lions football every day, and as time marches forward this Summer, so does our roster preview series.

Next up, we have third-year linebacker Jack Campbell. Originally a first-round pick in Lions’ general manager Brad Holmes’ lauded 2023 draft class, Campbell has seen his role steadily grow since arriving in Detroit via the University of Iowa.

Previous previews: QB Jared Goff , QB Hendon Hooker, RB Sione Vaki , RB Jahmyr Gibbs , WR Jameson Williams , WR Kalif Raymond, TE Sam LaPorta , OL Colby Sorsdal , OT Giovanni Manu , OT Penei Sewell , G Graham Glasgow , EDGE Aidan Hutchinson , DT Brodric Martin , DL Pat O’Connor , LB Malcolm Rodriguez , LB Grant Stuard , CB Ennis Rakestraw , CB Terrion Arnold, DB Brian Branch , K Jake Bates , LS Hogan Hatten .

Jack Campbell

Expectations heading into 2024

After splitting time between the MIKE and SAM linebacker roles during his rookie season, Campbell spent the 2024 offseason preparing to take over at the MIKE full-time. Given that MIKE is his natural position, many assumed this was always the plan when he was taken 18th overall in the 2023 NFL Draft .

Campbell possesses all of the prerequisites to be an impactful three-down linebacker in this league for a long time. At six-foot-five and 243 pounds, Campbell has the size and physicality to be a force around the line of scrimmage and in the running game. When it comes to defending the pass, Campbell possesses fluid hips for such a big athlete, allowing him to operate comfortably in both man and zone concepts in the open field.

However, what sets Campbell apart even further is his mental approach to the game. His instincts are top-tier, and it’s easy to tell by the way that he plays the position that he watches plenty of film. The best linebackers are almost extensions of the coaching staff on the field. You have to understand what is happening on the line of scrimmage, as well as what your secondary is responsible for behind you.

With a full offseason to get ready, rather than prepare for the combine and quickly learn a new system, expectations were lofty going into his second season with the Lions.

Actual role in 2024

18 games (18 starts) — 1,047 defensive snaps
Stats: 137 total tackles, 2 sacks, 5 tackles for loss, 3 QB hits, 1 forced fumble, and 5 pass breakups
PFF defense grade: 78.7 (10th out of 90 qualifying LBs – min. 20% of defensive snaps)
PFF run defense grade: 82.5 (13th out of 90)
PFF tackling grade: 83.1 (5th out of 90)
PFF coverage grade: 74.2 (9th out of 90)
PFF pass rush grade: 53.2 (76th out of 90)

For Campbell, 2024 largely went according to plan. He took the vast majority of his snaps at middle linebacker and quickly became one of my favorite players to watch on All-22. His ability to sift his way through traffic on his way to making a tackle is art, and he took significant strides defending the pass, too.

With his aforementioned size and speed, he gave former defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn a versatile chess piece in the middle of the Lions’ defense. His pass rush grade from PFF won’t reflect it, but Campbell was often involved in blitz concepts where he was the one crashing to occupy blockers so that a teammate could, in turn, run off his hip.

When veteran linebacker Alex Anzalone broke his forearm and missed six weeks, it was Campbell who stepped up more as a leader, including taking on Green Dot responsibilities as the defensive play call relayer. As the season wore on and injuries mounted on defense, particularly in the linebacker room, Campbell was as dependable as they come for Detroit’s defense.

Outlook for 2025

This is the year that Campbell asserts himself as a bona fide elite linebacker in the NFL. With Detroit returning a ton of talent, expectations are high for first-year defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard’s defense, and for good reason. When you look at the depth chart on paper, there are difference-makers at every level of the defense.

Similar to safeties Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch, Campbell should rarely come off the field. Having a player at the MIKE that can carry a tight end up the seam in coverage, while also being trusted to set an edge against the run, is a luxury, and gives the Lions the ability to truly be multiple in their defensive approach. And while there is a bit of uncertainty surrounding the contract situation with Anzalone, the Lions did re-sign linebacker Derrick Barnes this offseason , giving them options with how they can deploy their off-ball linebackers.

Regardless of what happens at the other two linebacker positions between now and Week 1, the expectations for Campbell in 2025 should mostly remain unchanged. After taking several big steps in year two, he is poised for a breakout season in a year where expectations for the Lions are higher than ever.