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Lions draft picks 2023: Detroit selects LB Jack Campbell 18th overall

With the 18th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Detroit Lions have selected linebacker Jack Campbell in the first round.

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Syndication: The Columbus Dispatch Bryon Houlgrave/The Register / USA TODAY NETWORK

With the 18th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Detroit Lions have selected Iowa linebacker Jack Campbell.

A two-time captain at Iowa, Campbell is a high-character player who absolutely fits in our Dan Campbell GRIT metric. Just take this snippet from Dane Brugler’s draft guide:

“his teammates say he sets the tone with his tenacious effort, and his coaches call him an “amazing” practice player (Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz: “Everything he does, he goes hard”)”

On the field, Campbell plays fast and aggressive, which is a good scheme fit for the Lions’ system—which requires off-ball linebackers to play downhill.

It will be interesting to see where the Lions see Campbell’s fit on the defense. He was a mike linebacker at Iowa, but the Lions just handed Alex Anzalone a three-year contract, and last year’s sixth-round pick Malcolm Rodriguez is coming off an impressive rookie season.


Lions remaining picks

  • Round 2, Pick 3 (34 overall)
  • Round 2, Pick 17 (48 overall)
  • Round 2, Pick 24 (55 overall)
  • Round 5, Pick 17 (152 overall)
  • Round 5, Pick 24 (159 overall)
  • Round 5, PIck 33 (168 overall)
  • Round 6, Pick 6 (183 overall)
  • Round 6, Pick 17 (194 overall)

Top remaining needs for Lions:

  • Defensive tackle
  • Guard
  • Cornerback
  • Offensive lineman
  • Tight end
  • Wide receiver
  • Quarterback?

NFL Draft schedule

Day 1

What: Round 1
When: Thursday, April 27 — 8 p.m. ET until around 11:30 p.m.
TV: ABC, ESPN, NFL Network
Online streaming: ESPN app, NFL Plus, ABC
POD live show: Twitch.tv/PrideOfDetroit

Day 2

What: Rounds 2-3
When: Friday, April 28 — 7 p.m. ET until around 11:30 p.m.
TV: ABC, ESPN, NFL Network
Online streaming: ESPN app, NFL Plus, ABC
POD live show: Twitch.tv/PrideOfDetroit

Day 3

What: Rounds 4-7
When: Saturday, April 29 — Noon ET until around 7 p.m. ET
TV: ABC, ESPN, NFL Network
Online streaming: ESPN app, NFL Plus, ABC
POD live show: Twitch.tv/PrideOfDetroit

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