When the Detroit Lions took Jack Campbell with the 18th pick of April’s NFL draft, the assumption was Campbell would start at linebacker alongside Alex Anzalone in the middle of the Lions defense.
Campbell has shown his range and playmaking ability in open practices this spring, but Lions linebackers coach Kelvin Sheppard said Monday it’s wrong to assume the rookie will be in the lineup Week 1 against the Kansas City Chiefs.
For proof, he pointed to last year’s linebacking corps, where Malcolm Rodriguez was a Week 1 starter as a sixth-round pick.