Campbell is a member of Detroit’s 2023 draft class, which has transformed the downtrodden franchise into a respectable one. Since the 2023 season, the Lions and Kansas City Chiefs are tied for the third-most wins (38) in the league behind the Philadelphia Eagles and Buffalo Bills (40), via StatMuse. This figure includes postseason victories.
Campbell, who turns 26 on Aug. 22, has finished eighth in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting, made one Pro Bowl and earned one first-team All-Pro nod during this stretch. This past season, he ranked fourth in the NFL in solo tackles (89 in 17 games) and tied for seventh in forced fumbles (three).
Many of the “experts” didn’t think he would be doing this after Detroit drafted him.
What did experts say about the Lions drafting Jack Campbell?
NFL.com’s Chad Reuter gave the Lions a C- after selecting Campbell and running back Jahmyr Gibbs (pick No. 12) in 2023. (The RB has also become a star for Detroit, making three Pro Bowls in three seasons.)
“Campbell can be a productive leader for the Lions, but — again — he was picked earlier than I expected,” wrote Reuter. “(I had him as second-round value.) It will be interesting to see how Campbell fares compared with the off-ball linebackers that are picked on Day 2.”
Quite well. Five off-ball LBs were selected on Day 2 of the 2023 draft: Drew Sanders (Denver Broncos, pick No. 67), Daiyan Henley (Los Angeles Chargers, pick No. 85), Trenton Simpson (Baltimore Ravens, pick No. 86), DeMarvion Overshown (Dallas Cowboys, pick No. 90) and Dorian Williams (Bills, pick No. 91). None have made a Pro Bowl.
At least Reuter’s critique of the pick wasn’t as harsh as that of NFL Mock Draft Database. The site gave the team an F after selecting him. That mark has aged poorly.
Some would still argue that using pick No. 18 on a player at a non-premium position was a reach. Campbell, however, has played up to his draft slot, becoming a cornerstone for Detroit. He could continue being so for years to come, proving his skeptics wrong.