Lions' Jack Campbell inside top 5 of ESPN's LB player rankings

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Jack Campbell enjoyed a career year last season with the Detroit Lions.

Campbell racked up 176 tackles, which ranked second in the NFL. The Iowa alum also totaled nine tackles for loss, five sacks, four passes defended, three forced fumbles and a pair of fumble recoveries.

The 6-foot-5, 246-pound linebacker's breakout campaign earned him NFL top 100 players status. It also helped Campbell ink a four-year, $81 million contract extension that keeps him with the Lions through the 2030 NFL season.

Campbell's last two seasons have caught the attention of other teams around the league. In ESPN's annual survey of league executives, coaches and scouts, Campbell earned the No. 5 ranking among off-ball linebackers. It's a first for Campbell to crack the top 10, though he was an honorable mention selection last year.

Campbell has been a steady climber in the linebacker pantheon, vaulting into the top 10 after a 176-tackle season -- the most for a Lions player since Chris Spielman in 1994. Campbell's 40% run stop win rate ranked fifth among linebackers (non-pass rushers), too.

Detroit knew what it was doing when it drafted Campbell 18th overall in 2023. He has drawn physical comparisons to Brian Urlacher with his 6-foot-4, 256-pound frame, he can move well, and he has length to close windows in the passing or running game.

"Excellent football IQ, tough, physical, plays downhill, instinctive, aware, leader -- throwback football player," a veteran AFC assistant coach said. - Jeremy Fowler, ESPN

Campbell is one of an NFL-best nine Lions that made their way inside their respective top 10 positional rankings.

It's the latest bit of recognition for Campbell and his transformation into one of the league's top defensive stars. Campbell ranked just behind the 49ers' Fred Warner (No. 1), the Ravens' Roquan Smith (No. 2), the Browns' Carson Schwesinger and the Eagles' Zack Baun.

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This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Lions' Jack Campbell inside top 5 of ESPN's LB player rankings

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