Iowa Hawkeyes LB Jack Campbell Could Be Another Second-Round Steal For The Saints

How the Iowa linebacker could help the Saints defense immediately and in the future.

While the New Orleans Saints should be focused on continuing to add weapons for quarterback Derek Carr on the offensive side of the ball, neglecting the defense is not an option. Interior defensive line is perhaps the team’s biggest need in this year’s NFL Draft, but linebacker is a sneaky position group to watch. This year’s second-level class includes a fantastic fit in Iowa’s Jack Campbell. 

Iowa linebacker Jack Campbell reacts after making a tackle against South Dakota State during a NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City. Iowavssdsu 20220903 Bh Syndication The Des Moines Register

Campbell stands at 6-foot-4 and 249 pounds, well within their usual threshold for every-down backers. His athletics texting during the pre-draft process should be talked more about. With a 37.5-inch vertical and a 10-foot-8 broad jump Campbell displayed the explosiveness he packs in his game.

This is evident on tape as well. In a high-level processing position like linebacker, one’s ability to read and react quickly is constantly put to the test. With explosive metrics and a quick reaction time, the former Hawkeyes is quick to make plays thanks to his instincts and physical capabilities of breaking on a play from a standstill.

Add in his impressive short-area quickness with solid 20- and 10-yard splits and it is hard not to excited about his talents. While Campbell's 40-yard dash clocked in at just 4.85 seconds, his fast start over the first 10 yards came in at 1.58 seconds. That times shows his burst in the areas where he is most likely asked to make play.

The advanced metrics meet the testing as well. Pro Football Focus (PFF) uses an analytic known as Average Depth of Target (ADOT). This measure how far downfield the linebacker is being targeted by opposing quarterbacks on average. Campbell's ADOT in 2022 was just. 0.7 yards downfield. Typically, a linebacker will be stationed 3-5 yards behind the defensive line on a given play, with schematic exceptions. That means that the former Hawkeye's blend of instincts, explosion and speed within 10-yards is of massive value to the team drafting him.

Iowa linebacker Jack Campbell (31) celebrates with teammates after getting a stop during a NCAA non-conference football game against Colorado State, Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. 210925 Colo St Iowa Fb 030 Jpg

Campbell has graded well in both the coverage and run sides of the game in 2022. PFF graded him No. 1 among all linebackers who played more than 300 coverage snaps across the country with a grade of 92.9. That means he was ranked No. 1 of 116 total players at his position. Similarly, he ranked No. 4 of 134 linebackers in run defense grading with an 87.0 mark.

Over the last two years at Iowa, Campbell was one of the most reliable linebackers in the nation. He totaled 265 total tackles (9 for a loss) over those two seasons along with 4 interceptions (1 returned for a touchdown), and a pair of sacks. He was also credited with 7 passes defensed over that span.

It is clear that whether in the passing game, run game or even with some contribution as a pass rusher, Campbell has the ability to have an immediate role in New Orleans while being groomed to be one of the future playmakers at the position. 

Iowa junior linebacker Jack Campbell celebrates after scoring a defensive touchdown in the third quarter against Iowa State at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021. 20210911 Cyhawk

What would that role look like? His rookie year in 2023 would be one of rotation and adding quality depth to a team that has been riddled with injuries in recent years. Much like former seventh-round selection Kaden Elliss, Campbell would have time to work with starting linebackers Demario Davis and Pete Werner as well as position coach Michael Hodges. Coach Hodges has justifiably been given a lot of shine over the recent months for everything from being a brilliant football mind to the strong relationships he builds with his group. Campbell would have a lot of opportunity to grow and grow quickly in the Big Easy.

The Saints know that linebacker is a spot where they can absolutely use help and more depth. With the departure of Elliss, the team has its two starters in place, but who will be the proverbial "next man up?" Second-year player D'Marco Jackson has a lot of promise, but missed his rookie season with injury. Former Wisconsin pass-rusher turned off-ball linebacker Zack Baun has been heavily regulated to a special teams role and the remaining room is majority unproven. Though the re-signing of special teams ace Andrew Dowell does come with intrigue as to what he could bring to the defense.

Iowa linebacker Jack Campbell (31) looks back to the bench after running an interception for a touchdown during a NCAA Big Ten Conference football game against Illinois, Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. 211120 Illinois Iowa Fb 040 Jpg

That means the door would be wide open for Campbell to immediately serve as the top depth option behind Davis and Werner at MIKE and WILL respectively while a player like Baun can hold down the responsibilities as a run-stopping, pass-rushing SAM. Much like Elliss, Campbell would offer starter-quality play if he should ever need to take the field due to injury. 

All the while, he continues to develop in the background and becomes a shoo-in to eventually step into the lead linebacker role of Davis when he decides to hang up his illustrious cleats. Campbell is a remarkably intelligent athlete much like Davis who has experience calling the shots, plays and adjustments on defense. He could step into the "quarterback of the defense" role when the time comes which would allow Werner to continue to do what he does best all over the field.

Many regard Campbell as an early-round pick with some mocks even having him come off the board in the first round. But the second seems more realistic for his projection. If the Saints hit the clock at pick No. 40 overall and Campbell is still there, assuming they have already invested in strengthening their interior defensive line in the first round, Campbell could be a solid selection. 

The Saints have had a lot of success with recent second-round selections including draft picks like wide receiver Michael Thomas, former safeties Vonn Bell and Marcus Williams, starting center Erik McCoy and electrifying cornerback Alontae Taylor who was drafted just last year. Campbell could prove to be another second-round steal at linebacker much like Werner who was taken No. 60 overall in the 2021 NFL Draft. 

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