INDIANAPOLIS – Head coach Dan Campbell spoke to the media Tuesday as a large contingent of Lions coaches, front office staff and scouts are at the NFL Scouting Combine to interview and evaluate 321 of this year's draft eligible players.
Campbell's media session covered a little bit of everything. Here are my five biggest takeaways:
1. Draft, develop and re-sign
It's a philosophy Campbell and general manager Brad Holmes have seen eye-to-eye on since arriving in Detroit.
"Between Brad and myself, the success that we've had in places that we've been has really been that way," Campbell said. "That's what it comes from. You want to be a good team you have to draft well and then you re-sign those guys. That's your core."
Free agency is a tool to fill in the gaps, per Campbell, something Holmes also talked about after the season when he said their priority is to focus on re-signing some of their core players to extensions this offseason instead of dedicating a ton of resources to free agents.
Campbell made a good point a little later on when he talked about how the advantage of re-signing players is you already know their personality and how they fit into the locker room. In free agency, that isn't always the case.
2. Coaching staff continuity
The Lions will return all three of their coordinators in 2024 with Ben Johnson as offensive coordinator, Aaron Glenn as defensive coordinator and Dave Fipp as special teams coordinator. It's pretty rare to have this kind of continuity in those roles for this long and Campbell knows he's lucky to have it.
"The continuity of the staff, the core of the staff, is no different than the core of the players who have been together now since 2021," he said. "To me, that's very important to have. This is the second year in a row I didn't think I'd have them back between (Johnson) and AG and some of the other coaches. We're fortunate."
Campbell said having Johnson and Glenn back puts them way ahead of schedule when the offseason training program and training camp kicks off.
"You've evolved so much over a three-year period when you're all together," he said. "Ben knows exactly what I'm thinking. We're to the point now where he knows exactly what I want and how I think just like I know how he thinks. And AG I feel that."
Campbell thinks they'll be so much more efficient because of the continuity. He joked they can skip from the 101s to the 401s and hit the ground running.
3. Big expectations for wide receiver Jameson Williams
Williams had two touchdowns in the NFC Championship Game and the second-year wide receiver really came on to be a reliable weapon down the stretch for the Lions.
"He progressed," Campbell said. "All we asked of him was growth. Just get better, a little bit better, and become one of the guys. Somebody that we can rely on in this offense. Just do your job and that's exactly what he did."
Williams caught 30 passes for 433 yards and three scores and also rushed for 71 yards and two touchdowns, including the playoffs. By the end of the year he was really coming into his own. Campbell has big expectations for Williams in Year 3.
"He is going to push to be a full-time starter and that's what we're looking for," Campbell said. "Everybody grows at a different rate. Maybe it's taken him a little bit longer, but he is developing and growing. The kid has come on. We got high hopes for him and see him continuing to grow."
View photos of the offensive line prospects who were invited to the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine.
Illinois offensive lineman Isaiah Adams (78) looks to make a block during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Iowa, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023, in Iowa City, Iowa. Iowa won 15-13. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Notre Dame offensive lineman Joe Alt (76) gets set during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Pittsburgh Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Michael Caterina)
Michigan offensive lineman Karsen Barnhart (52) plays against Indiana in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Duke offensive lineman Graham Barton (62) lines up for a play during the first half of an NCAA college football game against North Carolina, Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, in Chapel Hill, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Seward)
Kansas State offensive lineman Cooper Beebe (50) blocks during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Houston in Manhattan, Kan., Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
Utah offensive lineman Keaton Bills (51) in the first half during an NCAA college football game against Arizona, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
National offensive lineman Tanor Bortolini of Wisconsin (63) during the second half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/ Butch Dill)
Miami offensive lineman Javion Cohen (70) blocks while quarterback Tyler Van Dyke (9) takes the snap during the second half of an NCAA college football game against North Carolina, Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, in Chapel Hill, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Seward)
TCU offensive lineman Andrew Coker defends during the second half of an NCAA college football game between TCU and Texas, Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, in Fort Worth, Texas. Texas won 29-26. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
TCU offensive lineman Brandon Coleman (77) lines up during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Colorado Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
National offensive lineman Ethan Driskell of Marshall (52) during the second half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/ Butch Dill)
National offensive lineman Kingsley Eguakun of Florida (65) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/ Butch Dill)
East's Khalid Duke, of Kansas State, and West's Josiah Ezirim, of Eastern Kentucky, face off during the the East West Shrine Bowl NCAA college football game in Frisco, Texas, Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Penn State offensive lineman Olumuyiwa Fashanu (74) in action during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Maryland, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, in College Park, Md. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Washington offensive lineman Troy Fautanu (55) lines up against Utah during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, in Seattle. Washington won 35-28. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Notre Dame's Blake Fisher (54) lines up during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Tennessee State on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Michael Caterina)
Kentucky offensive lineman Jeremy Flax (77) plays against Ball State during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, in Lexington, Ky. (AP Photo/John Amis)
Missouri offensive lineman Javon Foster (76) runs a play against Arkansas during an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 24, 2023, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
West Virginia's Zach Frazier (54) is seen against Texas Tech during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Morgantown, W. Va. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
Oregon State offensive lineman Taliese Fuaga follows a play during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Washington State, Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Young Kwak, File)
Maryland offensive lineman Delmar Glaze (74) in action during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Illinois, Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, in College Park, Md. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Pittsburgh's Matt Goncalves (76) blocks during an NCAA football game against West Virginia on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, in Morgantown, W. Va. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
Central Florida offensive lineman Tylan Grable (71) blocks against Baylor defensive lineman TJ Franklin, left, during the first half of an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
West's Garret Greenfield, of South Dakota State, participates in the East West Shrine Bowl NCAA college football game in Frisco, Texas, Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Oklahoma offensive lineman Tyler Guyton (60) during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Tulsa, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, in Tulsa, Okla. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)
West's CJ Hanson, of Holy Cross, participates in the East West Shrine Bowl NCAA college football game in Frisco, Texas, Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
American offensive lineman Christian Haynes of Uconn runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2024, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/ Butch Dill)
Michigan offensive lineman LaDarius Henderson (73) plays against Indiana in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Texas' Christian Jones (70) blocks against Louisiana-Lafayette during the second half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton, File)
Ohio State offensive lineman Matthew Jones plays during their NCAA college football Spring game Saturday, April 15, 2023, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Michigan offensive lineman Trente Jones looks to block during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Ohio State, Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023, in Ann Arbor, Mich. Michigan won 30-24. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
Michigan offensive lineman Trevor Keegan (77) blocks against the East Carolina in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Southern California offensive lineman Jarrett Kingston (52) during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/John McCoy)
Arkansas offensive lineman Brady Latham (62) blocks Mississippi State linebacker J.P. Purvis (26) during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
Alabama offensive lineman JC Latham (65) sets up for a play against Mississippi during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Utah offensive lineman Sataoa Laumea (78) in the first half during an NCAA college football game against Arizona, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
West's Matt Lee, of Miami, participates in the East West Shrine Bowl NCAA college football game in Frisco, Texas, Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Kansas State offensive lineman KT Leveston (70) during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023 in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)
Arkansas offensive lineman Beaux Limmer (55) runs a play against Mississippi State during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
Boston College offensive lineman Christian Mahogany (73) lines up during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Syracuse in Syracuse, N.Y., Friday, Nov. 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
West's Mason McCormick, of South Dakota State, participates in the East West Shrine Bowl NCAA college football game in Frisco, Texas, Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
North Carolina State offensive lineman Dylan McMahon (54) prepares to snap the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game against North Carolina in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)
Georgia offensive lineman Amarius Mims (65) is shown against South Carolina during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Duke offensive lineman Jacob Monk (63) blocks during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Florida State, Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Arizona offensive lineman Jordan Morgan (77) in the first half during an NCAA college football game against Arizona State, Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
East's Hunter Nourzad, of Penn State, defends against the rush during the East West Shrine Bowl NCAA college football game in Frisco, Texas, Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Drake Nugent (60) blocks against UNLV in the second half of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Houston offensive lineman Patrick Paul (76) lines up against TCU during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
East's Julian Pearl, of Illinois, jogs off the field during the East West Shrine Bowl NCAA college football game in Frisco, Texas, Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
National offensive lineman Jackson Powers-Johnson of Oregon runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2024, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/ Butch Dill)
Kansas offensive lineman Dominick Puni (67) looks to make a block during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Iowa State, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, in Ames, Iowa. Kansas won 28-21. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
American offensive lineman Andrew Raym of Oklahoma (73) during the first half of the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/ Butch Dill)
Texas A&M offensive lineman Layden Robinson (64) blocks against Sam Houston State during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Washington offensive lineman Roger Rosengarten (73) lines up against Utah during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, in Seattle. Washington won 35-28. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
East's Walter Rouse, of Oklahoma, defends at the line of scrimmage during the East West Shrine Bowl NCAA college football game in Frisco, Texas, Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Michigan State center Nick Samac celebrates a touchdown during an NCAA college football game against Nebraska, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
BYU offensive lineman Kingsley Suamataia, left, defends against Texas Tech defensive lineman E'Maurion Banks (98) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, in Provo, Utah. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Louisiana offensive lineman Nathan Thomas (50) gets into his stance for a snap during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023 in Norfolk, Va. (AP Photo/Mike Caudill)
LSU offensive lineman Charles Turner III (69) signals on the line during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Alabama, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Georgia offensive lineman Sedrick Van Pran (63) plays against Vanderbilt in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Penn State offensive lineman Caedan Wallace (73) looks to block Michigan defensive lineman Kris Jenkins (94) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov.11, 2023, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
Michigan offensive lineman Zak Zinter (65) blocks for quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) in the second half of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
4. Interviews are key
There are some head coaches who don't take part in the Combine. They do their homework off the film and reports generated by the front office, scouting department and assistant coaches.
Campbell said he loves coming to the Combine because he likes to sit across from the prospects and learn what kind of player and person they are in the 20 minute allotted interviews. He likes to throw a curveball at a player from time to time to see how they respond.
Campbell knew 10 minutes into talking to linebacker Jack Campbell at last year's Combine that Jack knew ball and could figure things out on the fly. He had a passion about him that fit in Detroit.
5. Happy to have Jalen Reeves-Maybin back
The Lions re-signed the All-Pro and Pro Bowl special teamer to a new two-year deal this week, and Campbell said that was an important signing because he views Reeves-Maybin as a vital piece to the roster.
"He was a core player for us and he was the best special teams player in the league," Campbell said of Reeves-Maybin, who led the NFL with 14 special teams tackles this season. "But also defensively there's things he can do on defense play some nickel and dime, helps on third down, can rush and cover, to be able to get him re-signed was huge."
Reeves-Maybin can do a lot of things and was a key cog this season. Campbell said he's part of their foundation.
