Looking up to Campbell: Lions linebacker Jack Campbell is already an All-Pro player in just his third season at age 25.
Campbell is still fairly young but is already a player young linebackers trying to break into the NFL are looking up to and trying to emulate. Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez mentioned Campbell as one of the best players at the position in the NFL and a player he looks up to.
The Lions could be on the lookout to add a linebacker either in free agency or the NFL draft with Alex Anzalone and Malcolm Rodriguez both headed toward free agency. Jacob Rodriguez won the Bronko Nagurski Award (most outstanding defensive player) and Chuck Bednarik Award (defensive player of the year) after recording 128 tackles, 11.0 tackles for loss, four interceptions and seven forced fumbles this past season.
FA center: One of the top players available in this year's free agent cycle is Baltimore center Tyler Linderbaum. Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta said this week at the NFL Scouting Combine he's made a 'market-setting' offer to the pending free agent.
Kansas City center Creed Humphrey is currently the highest paid center in the NFL at $18 million per season. That gives some Lions fans hoping the team makes a play for Linderbaum in free agency a better understanding of the financial commitment that would be involved.
Match made in heaven: Bears head coach Ben Johnson is very close friends with new Lions offensive coordinator Drew Petzing and said this about Petzing joining the Lions:
"I think he's going to blow those players away just from a knowledge standpoint, from a connection standpoint. I fully expect that offense to be clicking at a high level next year. It wouldn't surprise me one bit, and I think there's a reason why Dan (Campbell), from what I could gather, cast a wide net for the offensive coordinator job and Drew hit the right notes in terms of what he was looking for. I could see this being a great fit knowing Dan and knowing Drew both. I think it's probably a match made in heaven."
Meeting with Lions: Detroit's coaching staff will meet formally or informally with just about all of the 319 prospects here at the Combine. Texas outside linebacker/edge rusher Anthony Hill talked about his meeting with Lions coaches this week, saying he loved the energy in the room and how they took him through the film and the drawing board to test his football smarts.
Miami edge rusher Akheem Mesidor has also already formally met with the Lions and said head coach Dan Campbell was 'very intense,' he loved the energy in the meeting and it would be amazing to play under a coach like Campbell.
Versatility reigns: Teams are always on the lookout for versatile players who can wear a lot of different hats for an offense or defense. Lions safety Brian Branch is a perfect example of that. Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles (6-4, 243) prides himself on his versatility and told reporters Wednesday teams are seeing it as one of his biggest assets. He started as a safety at Ohio State in 2022 and moved to linebacker in 2024. He prides himself on being able to play all three linebacker spots (WILL, MIKE, SAM) with some upside as an edge rusher (6.0 sacks in 2024) too.
Premium positions: It was interesting listening to Kansas City general manager Brett Veach talk about this year's draft class and how it's strong at positions that typically aren't considered premium positions in the draft. He mentioned Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love, Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese and Ohio State safety Caleb Downs as three of the best overall players in the class. It will be interesting to see where all three end up being selected. Typically teams value quarterbacks, pass rushers and players who protect the quarterback with the most value in the draft.
Great quote: Pittsburgh linebacker Kyle Louis had a great quote when asked if he thinks he's being overlooked at all because of his size (5-11, 224). Speed is his best asset, and teams could look to move him into a box safety role in the NFL.
"People try to say, because of my size, I'm undersized for a linebacker, but there's a lot of linebackers that were my size or even just a smidge bit taller or whatever you want to call it, that made plays," he said. "So I'm just here to showcase that you don't have to be 240 (pounds) to make plays and use the hit stick."
