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Given the inglorious history of off-ball linebackers in Detroit over the last several years and the fact he’s a top-20 overall pick, it sure makes sense to project Jack Campbell as an instant Lions starter as a rookie.
That’s not the reality of the situation, at least not yet. During the recent OTAs and minicamp, Campbell mostly played with the second-team defense. Alex Anzalone and Derrick Barnes were the starters, and both Malcolm Rodriguez (prior to his leg injury) and Jalen Reeves-Maybin took reps ahead of the rookie from Iowa.
It’s not displeasure from the Lions coaches or any struggles from Campbell. Far from it, based on what we saw from No. 46 in the open practices; Campbell is a quick study and a very impressive athlete. He’s simply not earned the first-team status over veterans Anzalone or Barnes. Not yet.
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While many expected Campbell to jump right into the starting lineup, LB coach Kelvin Sheppard has a different idea. The rookie will need to earn it.
“We are going to play the best players,” Campbell said during the recent OTAs. “We do not care what that looks like, and when that starts top down, it’s easy for me to walk into my linebacker room after we take a guy Pick 18, because in probably 20 other rooms, that player’s starting and there’s nothing you can do about it as a position coach.”
“Well, that’s not the case here (for Campbell starting),” Sheppard continued. “If Jack isn’t the top two or three, Jack will continue to go through the process of rookie development until he’s hit that mark.”
Barnes, in particular, appears to be motivated by the possibility of losing his status to a rookie. Now entering his third season, Barnes looks great physically and has also stepped up his pre-snap recognition and reaction speed.
Sheppard talked a lot about Barnes’ improvement during the week as well. The process of earning the starting role is not just lip service to Sheppard or head coach Dan Campbell, and Barnes is doing his best to not cede any status.
It’s a welcome change in Detroit, even if might appear that Campbell isn’t an immediate hit as a first-round pick. For far too long, draft status meant immediate playing time even if the player wasn’t ready or to up to the challenge. That’s been especially true at linebacker, from Jordon Dizon to Ernie Sims and Jarrad Davis.
Now the Lions appear to have actual depth and talent at linebacker. Campbell is a big part of that already and will start sooner than later, but the fact he doesn’t have to start in Week 1 is a great step forward for the Detroit defense.