Jack Campbell: Grading Lions No. 18 pick in NFL draft

The Lions used their second NFL draft pick on Thursday night in the first round on Iowa linebacker Jack Campbell. Here’s our grade. 

If there was a perfect pick for the Detroit Lions in the first round of the 2023 NFL draft, it might have been Iowa’s, Jack Campbell.

Is it a coincidence that Jack Campbell shares the same last name as his head coach Dan Campbell? That’s not the only thing the two share. They are physical dudes that love the game of football.

Here’s our instant reaction and grade to the Lions’ selection of Campbell with the No. 18 overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft.

Grading Jack Campbell to Lions with No. 18 NFL draft pick

You don’t find many 6-foot-4 linebackers that are 240 pounds but that’s Jack Campbell and he also runs the 40-yard dash in 4.65.

Campbell is long, athletic, and a playmaker. What he can do in coverage is perfect for today’s NFL. He’ll need to cover backs and tight ends and he’ll do a good job. He’s a true three-down linebacker, which is why I love this pick for the Lions.

Over the past three seasons with Iowa, Campbell has had 294 tackles, five interceptions, 12.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, three forced fumbles, six pass breakups, three forced fumbles, and a defensive touchdown.

Jack Campbell is the kind of linebacker that is just always around the ball. More than that, he’s a good tackler, and tackling is one of the most underrated traits in the NFL.

This is a guy that will be productive right away. It’s interesting because most teams don’t take inside linebackers or running backs in the first round and the Lions took one of each in the first round.

However, I love Campbell. I also liked the pick of Gibbs, just not the value. The value is better here and Campbell is the perfect player for Campbell, the head coach.

Grade: B+