Open thread: Which 2023 rookie will take the biggest step in 2024?

Ever since Brad Holmes’ arrival in Detroit as common supervisor, he’s made a behavior of nailing every NFL Draft class, and 2023 might become his finest but. Regardless of all the criticisms thrown at him following his first few picks final yr, Holmes has caught to his course of each step of the best way and it’s yielded instant outcomes.

Jahmyr Gibbs, Sam LaPorta, and Brian Department all had extremely productive rookie seasons for the Lions, and although Jack Campbell performed a extra part-time position, he progressed properly via the season and made a pleasant influence as a rookie. Colby Sorsdal, their fifth-round choose, additionally performed a task for the crew, stepping in for the Lions’ oft-injured offensive linemen. And whereas guys like Hendon Hooker, Brodric Martin, and Antoine Inexperienced didn’t have many, or any, alternatives to see the sphere in 2023, there must be loads of alternatives for them to enhance in 2024. In Hooker’s case, although, it may very well be some time earlier than he’s capable of earn a beginning job.

Immediately’s Query of the Day is…

Which Lions 2023 rookie will take the most important step in 2024?

My reply: Jack Campbell.

As a rookie, Campbell had a really up and down 2023, however he had the luxurious of splitting duties and studying from a deep linebacker room. Whereas the principle storylines for that group was the event of Derrick Barnes, and a breakout yr for Alex Anzalone, it was apparent that Campbell was progressing all year long, and that was clear when the Lions began to belief him with extra snaps midway via the yr.

As a run defender, Campbell could be very spectacular. In line with Professional Soccer Focus, he had the second most defensive stops—tackles that represent a “failure” for the offense—out of all rookie linebackers, proper behind Minnesota’s Ivan Tempo Jr. He additionally had the very best run protection grade (75.8) within the class, if you happen to take out Cam Jones (80.4), who solely performed 82 snaps in 2023.

The place Campbell might see probably the most enchancment subsequent yr is in protection duties. Popping out of faculty, his capability as a protection linebacker was certainly one of his finest traits, and we even noticed him make some spectacular performs in protection final yr. However consistency is essential, and I feel seeing him usually wanting misplaced on the market in zone protection is regular for any rookie. With extra reps underneath his belt, I count on him to look extra comfy on the market in the course of the sphere, and I count on large issues from Campbell in 2024.