Dan Campbell Has Multiple Draft Crushes

The Lions' third-year coach has his eye on several players in the upcoming draft.

The Detroit Lions are approaching an important NFL Draft. 

With a strong finish to the 2022 season, the organization is facing high expectations headed into the upcoming season. 

Lions general manager Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell have been committed to building the team through the draft, so this year's edition will offer them another chance to improve the roster. 

Campbell appeared on "The Rich Eisen Show" Thursday, speaking to the host in a 14-minute conversation centered around the team's plans for the draft. 

During an earlier conversation with Eisen during the NFL Scouting Combine, Campbell admitted to having a "man-crush" on 2022 No. 2 overall selection Aidan Hutchinson. The host posed the question of whether Campbell felt the same way about any of the prospects in this year's draft. 

"Oh, yes," Campbell responded. "Yes, I do. Got more than one." 

The Lions hold two first-round selections, including a premium one at No. 6 overall. The third-year coach held his cards close to his vest while talking with Eisen, careful not to reveal any secrets. But, he was open about what he's looking for in a player. 

"I think you find the guys that you really believe in and you believe fit, and that you can see them having a home here with us," Campbell said. "And, once you've targeted those guys, I think you do what you feel like you need to, to get them on your team or to acquire them. Now, with that, you also, like any other team does, you go through all the scenarios, right? 

"You do the mock drafts, you start going this happens, here's a trade and then you put yourself in that mode, and that's what Brad does. You put yourself there. Are we willing to take this trade to give up this player that we really love? Is it worth that? And so, I think you just, you have a pretty good idea. You do have a gameplan, but you're also ready to adjust, if need be."

Detroit has hosted several top prospects on top-30 visits. Additionally, it's held meetings with many players throughout the many stages of the offseason. 

Though meeting the players is important, Campbell admitted that he values performance on tape as the most important part of the evaluation process. 

"It's all encompassing, but I would say this, it always starts with the tape. Always," he explained. "Because if if it's not on the tape, it's hard to talk yourself into, or to talk me or Brad into saying that you're a player or that you believe in these things, when it's not on the tape. So, it's always the tape, and then you want to know if it's validated by the way that they present themselves and the way they talk football. Just all encompassing, I would say. But, it's hard to hide what you are on the tape."

Keeping options open at quarterback

Among the participants in offseason meetings with the Lions is a trio of quarterbacks. Two of the three are expected to go early in the draft, with most pundits predicting that at least two will be off the market by Detroit's first selection (No. 6 overall). 

Anthony Richardson and C.J. Stroud are two of the top three signal-callers available. Both have met with the Lions, as has Hendon Hooker. 

Jared Goff is entrenched as the team's starter moving forward. Yet, the Lions are expected to address the backup spot in some capacity heading into the season. 

Campbell wouldn't announce what the Lions' plans were for the draft at the position, but gave hints at how the team is evaluating it. 

"I would say this, man. And, I've said it before, I'll say it again. I love Goff, we love Goff, and he is our quarterback," the coach stated. "Nothing's going to change that. But, we're always looking to upgrade the roster at any position. If the right guy presents himself at one of our picks, and we feel like it's the right thing to do, we'll do it. So, we're keeping all our options open."

The Lions' brass believes it has a plan heading into the first round, as many teams do. 

However, the draft itself often presents events that are unplanned. Teams make trades on the first night, causing teams to change their plans. 

Because of this, the organization is ready to adjust. 

"We are still vetting guys, we want to verify the mental on a number of guys, just football intelligence, things of that nature," Campbell said. "And so, once we get it down to where we want it, then we'll really start (to) deep dive in those conversations. I mean, look, for me, I'm open to do whatever. And so is Brad. I mean, we are very flexible. But, we're not going to just go back to go back either, you know. And, there again, if it's somebody we really love sitting at six, then we're probably going to make our selection. But, until we put ourselves in that moment and go through those scenarios, all our mock drafts, all the things that could come up, it's kind of a moot point."