Training Camp Preview: Anzalone Leads Young Lions Linebackers Group

Veteran Alex Anzalone returns in 2023 as the leader of the Detroit Lions' linebackers room.

It wasn't as big of a need as the cornerbacks room headed into the offseason. However, Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes knew the team needed to upgrade its linebackers group.

Although veteran linebacker Alex Anzalone recorded a career season for himself with 125 total tackles, the position group -- as a whole -- was a weakness in 2022. It struggled both against the pass and stopping the run.

It led Holmes to draft Iowa linebacker Jack Campbell No. 18 overall in this past April's NFL Draft. 

Reason for hope

Campbell, who is built like an old-school middle linebacker at 6-foot-5, 246 pounds, was a tackling machine with the Hawkeyes. He produced amassed 305 total tackles, including 13.5 for loss, in four seasons and 43 career games (28 starts) as a member of Iowa's football team.

Additionally, he proved to be a do-it-all linebacker during his time with the Hawkeyes. In fact, in his final season in Iowa City, he received an 85.6 grade against the run and a 92.9 mark in coverage from Pro Football Focus.

The 2022 Butkus Award winner put together some decent film during the Lions' offseason program, and should boost the performance of the organization's linebackers room this upcoming season.

Training camp battle

Just because Campbell's a first-round pick, it doesn't mean he'll automatically be handed the starting job alongside incumbent middle linebacker Alex Anzalone. The Iowa product will have to earn the gig in training camp, and he'll face some stiff competition for it, most notably from third-year pro Derrick Barnes.

"It’s proven here,” Detroit linebackers coach Kelvin Sheppard told reporters during OTAs. “I know it’s like the right thing to say, but it is proven. We are going to play the best players. We do not care what that looks like, and when that starts top down, it’s easy for me to walk into my linebacker room after we take a guy Pick 18. Because in probably 20 other rooms, that player’s starting, and there’s nothing you can do about it as a position coach.

“Well, that’s not the case here. If Jack isn’t the top two or three, Jack will continue to go through the process of rookie development until he’s hit that mark.”

Barnes, meanwhile, worked alongside the first-teamers during OTAs and mandatory minicamp, and from all accounts, outperformed the first-year pro. 

A fourth-round selection (No. 113 overall) of the Lions in 2021 out of Purdue, Barnes has amassed 114 total tackles, including seven for loss, and three sacks through 32 career NFL games (10 starts).

His best game as a pro came a season ago in Week 9 against the Green Bay Packers. In the aforementioned contest, he recorded a single-game-high 12 tackles, to go along with his lone sack on the season. In doing so, he helped lead Detroit to a 15-9 win vs. its divisional rivals.

At this present juncture, I would say Barnes has a slight edge over Campbell for the starting spot. However, I expect Campbell to get every opportunity to earn it during camp.

Player to watch 

Even though Campbell and Barnes have seemingly been receiving all the preseason love, you can't forget about second-year pro Malcolm Rodriguez.

Rodriguez, a sixth-round pick of the Lions (No. 188 overall) last season, quickly became a fan favorite during his rookie campaign. 

He went on to make 15 starts and suit up for 16 games, and he totaled 87 tackles, including eight for loss, and three quarterback hits.

He and Anzalone were easily Detroit's two most productive linebackers in 2022. 

Maybe Campbell continues to steal the headlines, and emerges as the more popular linebacker, of the two, during the upcoming season. Yet, I'd put my money on Rodriguez once again playing an important role in the Lions' linebackers room.