Lions' Rookie Report: Jack Campbell Deserves Starting Job

Evaluating Detroit Lions' rookies after preseason loss to Jacksonville Jaguars.

Detroit's first-year pros perhaps didn't produce as noteworthy of performances Saturday, as they did a week ago against the New York Giants.

However, they still had their moments, even with Jahmyr Gibbs, Sam LaPorta and Brian Branch all held out for the Lions' second contest of the 2023 exhibition season. 

Let's take a look at how Detroit's rookie class fared against the Jacksonville Jaguars. 

WR Chase Cota

Cota followed up his strong preseason debut – four receptions for 60 yards against the Giants – with another solid performance Saturday. 

The undrafted free agent out of Oregon had a positive impact as both a punt returner and a pass-catcher against the Jaguars. He recorded a 28-yard punt return in the first quarter, plus was on the receiving end of the Lions' only touchdown in the contest. 

Cota's certainly gaining momentum as a candidate to make Detroit's 53-man roster out of camp. And, with a productive showing in the team's preseason finale Friday with the Panthers, he may just clinch his spot on the Lions' season-opening roster.

LB Jack Campbell

Just like a week ago against the Giants, Campbell, the No. 18 overall pick in this past April's draft, was all around the football against the Jaguars.

The Iowa product was especially good Saturday against the run, constantly clogging up running lanes for Jacksonville rookie back Tank Bigsby throughout the first half. Campbell, in fact, totaled six tackles in the opening half of play, and finished the exhibition tilt with seven combined stops. 

Through two preseason tilts, the first-rounder has shown a knack for swarming to the football and being consistently in the right position to make plays. And, at this present juncture, I'd have to believe he's almost a lock to start come Week 1 of the regular season. 

CB Steven Gilmore

The undrafted free agent wasn't perfect Saturday against the Jaguars. 

For starters, he gave up a 48-yard completion on Jacksonville's second drive of the game. Yet, the Marshall product didn't let that play get the best of him. Instead, he bounced right back, and delivered a big pass deflection on a third-down play during the same series. And then, later in the first quarter, he recorded an interception, which came off a deflection from safety Tracy Walker.

Gilmore impressively displayed the ability to overcome a bit of adversity Saturday, and Dan Campbell commended the defensive back for it at halftime while talking to Lions team reporter. 

At this moment, I'm not willing to go so far as to say that Gilmore's earned himself a roster spot. However, it's surely never a bad thing when your head coach heaps praise upon you, especially when you're fighting for a chance to make an NFL roster. 

CB Starling Thomas V

Just like Cota, Thomas impacted the game in multiple ways Saturday. 

First off, he recorded two nice kickoff returns, including one that went for 37 yards. Second, the undrafted defensive back was responsible for a big stop on third down, on an underneath pass, with 1:53 to play in the opening half. He finished the game with four total tackles. 

Those were the positives for Thomas on Saturday, because unfortunately, he was far from peerless in coverage. Most notably, on the first Jacksonville touchdown of the game, he got beaten to the outside by Jaguars receiver Parker Washington. 

Going into Detroit's final preseason contest, Thomas has a chance to make the team's season-opening roster because of his ability to play on special teams. It carries a significant amount of value with Campbell and his coaching staff. Yet, in order to strengthen his odds of landing a spot on the 53-man roster, he needs to shore up his play against the pass.   

S Brandon Joseph

The Notre Dame product delivered another nice performance Saturday. 

For starters, he forced an incomplete pass on a third-and-5 play, while the Jaguars were driving, with about 5:00 remaining in the first half. It led to a Jacksonville field goal instead of a touchdown. Second, he was in and around the ball on a variety of plays, amassing six total tackles.

It'll be interesting to see if the undrafted defensive back can continue his solid play in Detroit's exhibition finale against the Panthers.

WR Dylan Drummond 

The undrafted wideout delivered an uneven performance Saturday. 

He dropped a pass on third down, with about 3:30 to go in the first half, but was also in on a big fourth-and-2 conversion – a 23-yard reception – at the start of the second half. 

On the afternoon, Drummond logged two catches for 29 yards (on five targets). 

Up to this point, I don't believe he's done enough to warrant a spot on the Lions' season-opening roster. 

WR Antoine Green

Green had just one reception Saturday, but it was an impressive one. 

While Detroit was driving to open up the final half of play, the seventh-rounder dove and hauled in a pass from Lions reserve signal-caller Nate Sudfeld. The North Carolina product hit the ground as he made the catch, and got back up after being untouched and proceeded to gain additional yards. On the catch, Green ended up accumulating 18 yards. 

He suited up for 76 percent of Detroit's offensive snaps against Jacksonville, but was targeted just once. So, it'll be interesting to observe if he receives a higher number of targets Friday against Carolina. 

DT Brodric Martin 

The third-round pick logged 36 percent of the team's snaps on defense. Yet, he amassed just one tackle during the exhibition tilt. 

The big-bodied defensive tackle has shown a decent ability to get off the ball and stuff running lanes up to this point in training camp. Thus, it'll now be interesting to watch if he displays continued signs of development leading into the regular season.

OL Colby Sorsdal 

Sorsdal and the rest of Detroit's reserve offensive linemen were largely ineffective Saturday. Backup signal-callers Teddy Bridgewater and Nate Sudfeld were under duress all afternoon long. 

Here's to hoping that Sorsdal & Co. have a better performance in store for Friday in Carolina.

DT Cory Durden

The N.C. State product emerged as a solid run-stuffing presence Saturday. The undrafted defensive tackle made six total stops against the Jaguars.