Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes made it a point this offseason to improve the depth on defense with additions along the defensive line, secondary and linebacker room. The latter is one of the deeper position groups currently on the roster heading into the offseason training program later this month, but as injuries piled up on defense for the Lions last year, no position group was spared.
Second-year MIKE linebacker Jack Campbell held down the fort at linebacker while the team dealt with injuries to Derrick Barnes (14 games missed), Malcolm Rodriguez (11 games missed), Alex Anzalone (7 games missed) and Jalen Reeves-Maybin (7 games missed).
With Anzalone entering the last year of his contract, there could be room to add a young, versatile linebacker on a rookie-controlled contract for the next four years.
Linebacker class draft strength: Depth. There are some big names in the class, but more than anything, it's a deep class that features a lot of experience and production. The Lions could be looking for players who are assignment sound and can play multiple roles at the linebacker position with former NFL LB Kelvin Sheppard taking over as defensive coordinator this season.
Lions linebacker depth chart: Campbell, Anzalone, Barnes, Rodriguez, Grant Stuard, Trevor Nowaske, Anthony Pittman, Ezekiel Turner, Mitchell Agude, Abraham Beauplan, DaRon Gilbert
View photos of the top linebacker prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell (11) lines up during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Missouri, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Clemson linebacker Barrett Carter (0) in action during an NCAA football game against Florida State on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Tallahassee, Fla. Clemson defeated Florida State 29-13. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)
Clemson linebacker Barrett Carter runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Memphis linebacker Chandler Martin (11) attempts to tackle Florida State running back Lawrance Toafili (9) as he runs during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Colin Hackley)
Memphis linebacker Chandler Martin (11) plays in an NCAA football game against Troy on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis)
UCLA linebacker Carson Schwesinger (49) tackles Alabama State running back Marcus Harris II (26) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Pasadena, Calif., Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
UCLA linebacker Carson Schwesinger participates in vertical jump at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Danny Stutsman (28) warms up before an NCAA college football game against Texas at the Cotton Bowl, Saturday, Oct. 13, 2024, in Dallas. Texas won 34-3. (AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter)
Oklahoma linebacker Danny Stutsman runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker (11) sacks TCU quarterback Max Duggan (15) during the second half of the national championship NCAA College Football Playoff game, Monday, Jan. 9, 2023, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker (11) sets up for a play against Alabama during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Lions linebacker draft priority: Moderate. Detroit returns all three starters at the WILL (Anzalone), MIKE (Campbell) and SAM (Barnes) with Stuard and Rodriguez offering depth with starting experience. Depth will be challenged over the course of a season, and players like Anzalone and Rodriguez are entering the final year of their contracts.
Five linebackers who could fit the Lions:
1. Jalon Walker, Georgia
6-1, 243. Did not run 40-yard dash
This would probably require Holmes moving up in the first round as Walker is widely considered the best linebacker prospect in the class. The Butkus Award winner as the top linebacker in the country led Georgia with 10.5 tackles for loss and also tied for the team lead with 6.5 sacks. He could be a hybrid player with the potential to play all three linebacker spots for a creative defensive scheme.
2. Jihaad Campbell, Alabama
6-3, 235. 4.52 40-yard dash
One of my favorite prospects in the entire draft, Campbell has rare traits, versatility and a ton of production. He registered 117 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss and 5.0 sacks last season. Like Walker, Campbell seems like a player who can play a lot of different roles including helping with the pass rush.
3. Carson Schwesinger, UCLA
6-2 1/2, 242. Did not run 40-yard dash
He didn't run the 40 at the Combine or his pro day but notched a 39.5-inch vertical and 10-foot-7 broad jump, which shows off some of his explosive traits. He recorded 136 total tackles (90 solo), 8.5 tackles for loss, 4.0 sacks and a couple interceptions. He's solid in coverage and he understands football and where to be. When he meets the ball carrier, he almost always makes the play.
View photos of 2025 NFL Draft linebacker prospect Jihaad Campbell.
Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell (11) returns an interception against Georgia as Alabama defensive back Malachi Moore (13) trails the play during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell (11) lines up for a play against Missouri during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell (11) plays during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Vanderbilt, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell (11) signals to the sideline during the second half of an NCAA college football game against South Carolina, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell (11) celebrates after recovering a fumble during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Tennessee, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell (11) lines up during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Missouri, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava (8) runs for yardage as he's defended by Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell (11) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell (11) celebrates his sack against Mercer during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell (11) plays during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Vanderbilt, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers (16) and Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell (11) chase a fumble by Sellers, during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell (11) sacks Mercer quarterback Whitt Newbauer (8) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier (13) fumbles as he is tackled by Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell (11) in the first half an NCAA college football game in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
South Florida running back Nay'Quan Wright (5) runs the ball against Alabama during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Following the play are South Florida offensive lineman Jack Wilty (78) and Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell (11). (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia (2) runs the ball past Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell (11) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
4. Demetrius Knight Jr., South Carolina
6-2, 235. 4.58 40-yard dash
Knight, 25, is an older prospect who played six seasons of college football at Georgia Tech, Charlotte and South Carolina. He's logged a lot of football (61 career games) and plays like someone who's seen that many reps. He recorded 178 tackles with four interceptions over the last two seasons at Charlotte and South Carolina.
5. Danny Stutsman, Oklahoma
6-3, 233. 4.52 40-yard dash
Getting off blocks and racking up tackles is job No. 1 of an interior linebacker and Stutsman does those two things as well as any linebacker in the class. He had three straight seasons with over 100 tackles for the Sooners. He's got size, speed and processes football at a high level to make as many plays as he does.
