Burning Question: Can Jack Campbell Beat Out Derrick Barnes?
Undoubtedly, the Detroit Lions went into this offseason knowing that they needed help at the linebacker position.
And, Detroit general manager Brad Holmes clearly prioritized addressing the need, drafting Iowa linebacker Jack Campbell at No. 18 overall in this past April's NFL Draft.
Campbell, standing in at 6-foot-5, 246 pounds, was a standout performer with the Hawkeyes. In 43 career college games, he amassed a total of 305 tackles, including 13.5 for loss. Additionally, he accounted for 15 passes defensed, five interceptions, three sacks and three forced fumbles.
During his time in Iowa City, he also proved to be a multi-dimensional linebacker, flashing the ability to stop both the run and the pass. In fact, he earned an 85.6 grade against the run and a 92.9 mark in coverage from Pro Football Focus this past season.
Fast-forward to his short time with the Lions, and he's certainly showcased glimpses of being an effective NFL linebacker.
Yet, it doesn't guarantee that he'll be a Day 1 starter in Detroit. He'll need to continue to work for and earn every rep he gets, according to Lions linebackers coach Kelvin Sheppard.
“It’s proven here,” Sheppard told reporters before OTA practice Monday. “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.”
Just because Campbell is a first-round pick, he will clearly still have to prove that he deserves to start alongside veteran Alex Anzalone in the middle of the Lions' defense.
Campbell's also got a worthy challenger for the starting job at weakside linebacker, in the form of third-year pro Derrick Barnes.
Barnes has gradually "earned his keep" in Aaron Glenn's defense. And, from all accounts, he outperformed the Iowa product in both OTAs and minicamp practices this spring.
"That is a player that I’ve seen look like a completely different player. I mean, a kid growing into a man," Sheppard said. "Taking charge, holding people accountable, running the huddle, letting everybody know, ‘I know what I’m doing.' Now, let me help you out. That’s that next step right there to me."
Subsequently, it should bode well for Barnes' chances to start come Week 1 of the upcoming regular season.
Additionally, it must not be forgotten that Campbell will also face competition for reps from second-year linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez. Rodriguez, a sixth-round pick in 2022, produced a solid rookie campaign. The Oklahoma State product ended up recording 87 total tackles, including eight for loss and three quarterback hits.
For all the above reasons, it is definitely no lock that Campbell will play ahead of Barnes and also Rodriguez to start off the 2023 campaign. At this present juncture, I'm willing to bet that both returning players are in line to get more reps than the rookie.
As Sheppard said, Campbell will have to earn every single snap he garners while donning a Lions jersey. And, as of right now (although it might not last for long), Barnes deserves to play ahead of the former Hawkeyes defender.
