Detroit Lions linebacker Jack Campbell says he kept ‘worst pick of the draft’ receipts — now it’s time to revisit those grades
Taking a lool back at all the crazy things people were saying about the Jack Campbell pick in the 2023 NFL Draft
I remember it like it was yesterday. The Detroit Lions were catching nonstop flak for their first-round picks in the 2023 NFL Draft. A running back was one thing, but how dare they pick an off-ball linebacker with the 18th pick?
On Wednesday, that off-ball linebacker took to the podium after signing a four-year $81 million extension and talked about how he still has a draft grade article that gave him an F and talked about how he was the worst pick in the first round.
“When I got drafted on draft night, I remember everything. I remember a lot of things that were said.” Campbell said. “A guy from my hometown mailed me a letter. I still have it today, just the CBS Sports article, just talking about how, like, this is probably the worst pick in the NFL history.”
Now, we looked everywhere for that CBS article, and we just couldn’t find it. But what we’ll do instead is look at some of the other grades from that night. We’ll also include my initial reaction for fun.
Jack Campbell draft grades from right after the 2023 NFL Draft
“Campbell fills a need, but this feels like a big reach for the Lions, who grab my 73rd-ranked player at no 18. The former Iowa standout racks up stats as a throw-back, downhill linebacker—but he’s stiff when moving in reverse and could be a liability in man-to-man coverage. Paired with the selection of running back Jahmyr Gibbs at no. 12, Detroit’s decision to draft two non-premium positions with their two first-round picks could come back to haunt them.”
Danny Kelly of the Ringer gave the pick a D
“I don’t like giving out F’s because I surely can’t see the future, but man, the Lions are making some weird picks. Campbell is a good player, but he relies on being consistently good, not great. His athleticism is average and his upside in the NFL is about non-existent. He is what he is and that’s likely a solid player at a position that doesn’t deserve to go this high in the draft.”
Chet Gresham of DraftKings gave the pick a D-
Title
“This is another instance of loving the player, but not liking the value as much. Jack Campbell is my top linebacker in this draft. His ability to play within the box as a run defender combined with his added value in pass coverage is great in the modern NFL. But with still so many needs along that defensive front, drafting an off ball linebacker feels like a reach.”
JP Accosta of SB Nation gave the pick a C+
Title
“The positional value is one thing, but the bigger issue is taking Jack Campbell in the first round. He just wasn’t projected to go anywhere near this spot and likely could have been had a full round later than where he was selected. Campbell is a quality linebacker when he’s coming downhill in the box, but his ability to be an impact player in coverage and in space down the field is a major question mark moving forward. That’s not the profile of a first-round linebacker — those types of players have to be weapons in the passing game to be selected and Campbell isn’t that guy. Really odd selection at the 18th pick, even stranger than the Gibbs pick at 12th overall.”
Charles Mcdonald of yahoo Sports gave the entire draft haul an F
Title
“The Lions could have had Campbell potentially two rounds later than this. Pretty crazy. Campbell is a quality athlete and may turn out to be a solid starter, but this is a major reach.
Nate Davis from USA Today gave the pick an F
Title
For fun, this was my initial reaction on draft night
Nailed it, Mike. I would encourage you to read the comments on this tweet, though. They’re fun to look back at.
Detroit Lions News