Jack Campbell was special when he was leading the defense for the Iowa Hawkeyes. He appears to be picking up right where he left off as a rookie linebacker for the Detroit Lions.
Former Iowa linebacker and first-round 2023 NFL draft pick, Jack Campbell has high expectations. The first signs in the league for the Butkus Award winner point to Campbell not slowing down those expectations.
Per Pro Football Focus, Campbell was the highest-graded first-round rookie in Week 1 of the preseason. Campbell graded out to a 90.6 PFF Grade.
Lions LB Jack Campbell: 90.6 PFF Grade in Week 1 of the preseason 🦁
Highest among all first-round rookies 👀 pic.twitter.com/ojugikH1Hm
— PFF (@PFF) August 14, 2023
Given that it was the Lions’ first preseason game, Campbell didn’t play every snap. He made the most of his time on the field, though. Campbell repped on 25 defensive snaps and just one special teams snap in the game against the New York Giants.
In limited action, Campbell poured in four tackles and a pass deflection which came out to making a tackle or an impact on 20% of the plays he was in the game for.
Campbell is all but a lock to make the 53-man roster when cuts happen and teams get to their roster limit. How much he plays during his rookie season remains up in the air, but all signs point to the Lions wanting to get him reps, game action, and expedite his transition to the NFL. That transition is already underway and the first signs point to Campbell being able to handle his own in the NFL.
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