Film Review: Jack Campbell Adapting to Playing SAM Linebacker

Campbell is improving in rookie season.

Detroit Lions linebacker Jack Campbell has endured ups and downs typical for a NFL rookie. Through his first eight games, he has dealt with plenty as the team's No. 18 overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft. 

As the Lions enter the final nine games of their season fresh off the bye week, Campbell will continue to play a key role on the defense. He has had his struggles and triumphs, but his development is impressing the coaching staff. 

Here's a look at how Campbell has performed in three key areas through his first eight career games: 

Coverage

Campbell is listed at 6-foot-5, making his frame a significant asset in coverage. This area has remained a struggle, however, as he's Detroit's second-lowest graded defender in this area by Pro Football Focus. 

It boils down to getting to his spots. The rookie is still adapting to the intricacies of covering, as the diverse passing concepts he's faced have been difficult to adapt to. Through eight games, he's allowed 16 completions for 197 yards and two touchdowns on 20 targets. 

Here, he's beaten for a score by Tommy Tremble for a score in Detroit's Week 5 win over Carolina. The rookie is beaten off the line by the veteran tight end and can't counter the route in time in the red zone. 

Now, there have been moments where the rookie has held his own. Against the Kansas City Chiefs in his debut, he made a key second half pass breakup. 

The Lions caught a break that evening when All-Pro tight end Travis Kelce was held out of the game with an injury. This made the Lions' linebackers, who have struggled this season to limit opposing tight ends, have a lighter night. 

On this play, Campbell's instincts are impressive. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes tries to make the throw through what looked to be an open window, but the rookie flips his hips and breaks up the pass with a dive. 

Open field tackling/Block shedding

Campbell's best trait to this point in his rookie season has been his tackling. While he ranks near the bottom of the team in a number of categories in PFF grades, his 88.6 tackling grade is the best mark on the Lions. 

He has shown to be strong enough to bring players down with a high wrap-up while also utilizing his speed to chase down defenders in the open field. Additionally, he has been disciplined enough to not flail and miss when he elects to tackle low. 

Against Baltimore, he's presented with an opportunity on the game's first snap. The Ravens throw short into the flat, and he stays with the running back running the short route. 

He meets the back as soon as the catch is made and makes the play, demonstrating his sure tackling ability. 

Against the Raiders, he also showcased an ability to shed blockers in order to make stops. On this particular run, he sheds a blocker using his long arms and recovers to make the play on Josh Jacobs. 

"Absolutely, we're happy with Jack. Jack has just continued to get better and better and better," Coach Dan Campbell told 97.1 The Ticket Wednesday. "Let me say this, I'm not gonna make an excuse even though it's gonna sound like an excuse, once we got early in the season, he's still playing inside linebacker but then we ended up moving him to SAM linebacker in base. So he's SAM in base and then he's back to MIKE in some sub, in and out with Barnes. We've put a lot on his plate, now, and it was because we felt like he needed to be out there on the field." 

Reading keys

One of the most important aspects of being a linebacker is being able to accurately diagnose a play. Doing so requires a balance between reading the offensive keys and combating misdirection.

For instance, a linebacker is sometimes taught to replace a pulling guard. When the guard crosses the formation, their vacated gap opens briefly creating an opportunity for a backer to pounce. However, a player must be wary of play-action or similar concepts that utilize blocking schemes to throw the defense off.

Take into account this play against the Ravens in Week 7. It's a fourth down on Baltimore's first drive. Campbell diagnoses the play incorrectly, resulting in a touchdown. 

The guard pulls, typically indicating a trap play. Campbell stays patient, likely anticipating play action, then bites when the Ravens' running back pushes toward the line. He's wrong in this instance, which creates a wide open perimeter for Lamar Jackson to dash across the goal line. 

Against Las Vegas, he sees a similar play-action and reacts correctly. The Raiders sell the play fake, but Campbell takes his eyes to the tight end clearing into the flat. The completion goes for a short gain, but the rookie recovers and makes a nice open field tackle. 

"We really feel like (Derrick) Barnes, Campbell and Alex (Anzalone) are, they're all really good players for us and we've got to find a way to get them all out there. We ask him to do a lot and with that, it takes away a little bit of the inside linebacker position because he's working more SAM," Campbell noted. "For a rookie to be able to handle all of that mentally, physically, now he's made a couple mistakes, that comes with the territory. But as far as where he's growing and where he's going, man, we love where he's at. He's on pace and all we ask for is, you just improve every week. It doesn't matter how fast you improve, how much you improve, just show us improvement. And that's what he's doing." 

The Iowa product is clearly still adapting to the speed of the NFL game. However, this is an example of the week-to-week improvement that has defined his growth throughout the first half of his first campaign.