DETROIT – The Detroit Lions have selected Iowa Hawkeyes star linebacker Jack Campbell with the No. 18 pick in the first round of the NFL draft.
Campbell had 125 total tackles, 66 assisted tackles, and 59 solo tackles, with two interceptions, one sack, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery.
During his final season as a collegiate athlete, the 6′5″ 246 pound linebacker racked up some hardware as he is the Butkus Award winner and the William V. Campbell Trophy recipient.
The Lions prioritized their pass defense during the 2023 offseason by trading former lottery pick Jeff Okudah and adding safety Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, and cornerbacks Cameron Sutton and Emmanuel Moseley to bolster that side of the ball.
Pairing what many are calling a Leighton Vander Esch type of player with Michigan Wolverines legend and former No. 2 draft pick Aidan Hutchinson could bring nightmares for opposing offenses. Believe it or not, Hutchinson faced the most double teams as an edge rusher last season, so adding Campbell would alleviate pressure.
An early look at next season’s defense will feature Kerby Joseph, Hutchinson, Johnson, Sutton, Moseley, and now Campbell, which could mean scary hours for opposing offenses.
The Lions took Alabama running Jahmyr Gibbs with the No. 12 pick to go along with D’Andre Swift and newly acquired bruiser David Montgomery.
