Player: Jack Campbell
School: Iowa
Measurables:
- Height: 6’5”(NFL Combine)
- Weight: 249(NFL Combine)
- 40: 4.65(NFL Combine)
- 10 Yard Split: 1.59(NFL Combine)
- Bench: DNP
- Vertical Jump: 37.5”(NFL Combine)
- Broad Jump: 10’8”(NFL Combine)
- 3 Cone: 6.74(NFL Combine)
- 20 Yard Shuttle: 4.24(NFL Combine)
- Other Notes: I was hoping Campbell would come out and prove me wrong about his speed. Was hoping for low 4.6/high 4.5, but the rest of his athletic testing was ridiculous and helps make up for the 4.65. He was one of the biggest winners from the Combine.
Graded Position Specific Traits:
- Run Support: 8/10
- Tackling- 7.5/10
- Field Vision: 7/10
- Man Coverage: 5/10
- Zone Coverage: 6.25/10
- Blitzing: 5.25/10
- Block Shedding: 5.75/10
- Range: 5.5/10
Prospect Grade: 50.25/80; 62.8%- Starter with the potential to be above average starter
Projected Draft Day: Early-Mid Round 2
Player Comparison: Mix between Joshua Perry and Leighton Vander Esch
Player Summary:
When I sat down originally and watched Jack Campbell’s 2021 tape, I was not as impressed as I was hoping I’d be. I saw an old school “thumper” linebacker who’s speed on tape was concerning. He would dive for ankle tackles because he just couldn’t keep up with the backs and receivers he was chasing from behind. He was pretty much a three down linebacker for the Hawkeyes, and I just didn’t see how it could translate into the pros. A linebacker of his size I was hoping would at least flash against the run struggled to shed blocks. I didn’t know where he would fit in the NFL because his impact against the run was affected by his struggle shedding blocks and he didn’t have the speed necessary in coverage.
However, I have since gone through and watched some of Campbell’s 2022 tape, and oh my… he looks like a completely different player. The first thing I noticed was the speed. Is he going to run a 4.4- 40… No, but he looks like he’s playing faster and improved his speed without compromising his size at all. He’s able to follow crossing routes across the middle of the field relatively well, and runs down ball carriers(within reason). His tackling looks unbelievable. He’s not diving at ankles nearly as much anymore, and he’s got some of the best tackling I’ve seen through my scouting to date. His block shedding still isn’t what I would’ve hoped for a guy of his size, but the improvement since 2021 is amazing. Campbell not only looks like the “old school thumper” I see him as, but he also looks pretty comfortable and capable in coverage. Despite an increase in speed this season I’m still not sure if it’s quite where you hope it will be for the NFL next season.
I understand that my projected draft day is a pretty large range, but Campbell is a hard prospect to get a gauge on. Personally, from what I’ve seen I think Campbell could potentially sneak himself into the late first; however, I could also see a scenario where teams wonder if his coverage skills are pro ready or if his speed is enough to translate to the next level. I want to say round two is probably the sweet spot for him though even if it is just playing early downs to start.
UPDATE 3/11:
After an impressive combine, Campbell’s draft projection has more clarity. Originally projected from late Round 1- Early round 3, I switched it to early-mid Round 2. A better 40 time would’ve put Campbell in the first round for me, but he should still hear his name called early in round 2.
UPDATE 4/11:
Jack Campbell’s comp has been adjusted from Leighton Vander Esch to a Mix between Joshua Perry and Leighton Vander Esch.