The Detroit Lions invested heavily in their linebacking corps by selecting Jack Campbell with the No. 18 overall selection in the 2023 Draft.
Campbell wound up being a big part of the defense by season's end. As a result, there will be strong expectations for him in his second year.
The Lions appear to be pretty intact at the position, as many of the major contributors are under contract for next season. Alex Anzalone, Derrick Barnes, Campbell and Malcolm Rodriguez are all set for another season with the organization.
Still, scouring the Draft pool for depth is a specialty of general manager Brad Holmes. With the NFL Scouting Combine less than a week away, here are four linebacker prospects worth keeping an eye on in Indianapolis.
Barrett Carter, Clemson
Carter is one of the highest-rated prospects at the position along with his teammate, Jeremiah Trotter Jr. Together, they were one of the best duos in all of college football.
Carter had back-to-back strong seasons with the Tigers, collecting over 130 tackles in that span. He also notched 20 tackles for loss, nine sacks and three interceptions over that time.
He's a physical player who attacks downhill aggressively. The seasoned player has good gap awareness against the run and relentless fills his run lanes. At 6-foot-1, he also uses his frame to be a factor over the middle in the passing game with 14 passes defensed.
Tommy Eichenberg, Ohio State
Eichenberg packs a strong punch with toughness. He was one of the nation's leading tacklers in 2022 with 120, and though injuries limited him to 10 games in 2023 he still finished with 82.
The Ohio State product is a tackling machine, with a Pro Football Focus tackling grade of 79.7 in 2023. He plays physical and with a nose for the ball.
One area where he can prove some development at the Combine is with his lateral quickness. This has been a knock on him throughout his college career, so the agility drills in Indianapolis can help his cause.
Ultimately, he is expected to be a mid-round pick with potential to sneak into the early part of Day Two. Eichenberg has physical traits that mesh with the Lions' style and would also fit the team's culture of toughness.
Junior Colson, Michigan
Michigan fans will be very familiar with Colson, who served as a key part of the team's run to the national championship. The Wolverine defense was historically good, and Colson was right at the center of it.
Where he is at his most successful is in his drops in coverage. Colson is athletic and moves very well for his position. This speed also translates to the run game, where he logged over 250 tackles in three seasons as a starter.
He's rangy and can play sideline-to-sideline, but his frame doesn't necessarily project him to be a middle linebacker. Additionally, he's been knocked for his shaky instincts and discipline against the run.
There are intangibles to like about Colson, and his experience and pedigree could boost him up draft boards. He's a likely Day Two pick that will be a good depth piece with excellent potential.
Easton Gibbs, Wyoming
Gibbs played four seasons at Wyoming and logged over 100 tackles in each of his last two. He played multiple roles for the Cowboys while in college before eventually taking over as the team's MIKE.
With 362 career tackles to his name, Gibbs leaves no doubt about his physicality and ability to stop the run. However, he is also an efficient cover player who earned a 78.5 coverage grade from Pro Football Focus.
He appears comfortable in coverage and has a sturdy frame that allows him to be a presence over the middle of the field. Additionally, he moves well enough to get to his zone drops quickly and also be a factor in the run game at the line of scrimmage.
Gibbs has fallen under the radar in some capacity as a Group of Five player, but there's plenty to like about his game. He could wind up being a steal if his physicality is able to translate to the NFL.
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