Lions select LB Jack Campbell in 1st round

The Detroit Lions selected Iowa linebacker Jack Campbell in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft, 18th overall.

Campbell was the second of the Lions' first-round picks. The club selected Alabama running back Jahmyr Gibbs at No. 12.

Campbell was all over the field while at Iowa, racking up 299 total tackles. He recorded at least 125 tackles in each of his last two seasons.

He joins a linebacker corps that includes Alex Anzalone and Malcolm Rodriguez, among others.

Pre-draft profile

The former Hawkeyes standout put on a show at the NFL combine, showcasing outstanding explosiveness (37.5-inch vertical, 10-foot-8 broad jump) and good speed (4.65 40-yard dash) for his impressive size. Campbell is one of this class's strongest linebackers in zone coverage, easily dropping to appropriate depths and making plays on the ball. The 22-year-old is also a reliable man-coverage player, particularly against larger opponents who rely on size and struggle to create separation. He finishes tackles and demonstrates outstanding patience to avoid over-pursuing ball carriers or giving up big plays. Campbell's patience occasionally sees him make a play a few yards downfield rather than in the backfield, but his size, athletic profile, consistency, and ability to defend both the run and the pass will be invaluable to the team that selects him.