In his recent interview with The Rich Eisen Show, Lions head coach Dan Campbell said something that has slid under the radar. But it was an important little peek behind the veil into what sort of prospects the Lions really value in the draft.
Eisen asked Campbell what makes a player appeal to Campbell as a prospect “man crush”, of which Campbell says he has “more than one” in this draft class.
“The way they play, they love the game,” Campbell said. “It means something to them. They’re snap-to-whistle. They endear themselves to teammates. And they’re productive.”
Productive is a key word here. The emphasis on producing in college matters to the Brad Holmes/Dan Campbell Lions for draft prospects.
It’s been especially true on defense. Last year’s draft class is a great example.
Second-round EDGE Josh Paschal bagged just five sacks in his senior season at Kentucky, but he had 15.5 TFLs and forced two fumbles. He also drew several holding penalties (six or eight, depending on the source). Third-round safety Kerby Joseph picked off five passes in his last season at Illinois. Sixth-round LB Malcolm Rodriguez dominated the stat sheet with 129 tackles, 16 TFLs and four forced fumbles for Oklahoma State in 2021.
It mattered most at the top of the draft, however. Aidan Hutchinson notched 14 sacks, 16.5 TFLs, batted down three passes and forced two fumbles in his final year at Michigan. The production mattered.
Pay attention to the production figures of the (presumptive) top defensive prospects. The Lions certainly are.
A quick look at the final-season production from some of the leading candidates for the first pick for Detroit, listed alphabetically:
Will Anderson: 10 sacks, 17.5 TFLs, 51 tackles and a pick-six
Jalen Carter: 3 sacks, 7 TFLs, 32 tackles, 2 forced fumbles and 3 PDs
Christian Gonzalez: 50 tackles, 4 INTs, 1 TFL, 7 PDs
Tyree Wilson: 7 sacks, 14 TFLs, 61 tackles and 1 forced fumble which he also recovered
Devon Witherspoon: 41 tackles, 3 INTs, 3.5 TFLs, 14 PDs
For later in the draft, keep an eye on wildly productive college players like Eastern Michigan EDGE Joe Ramirez, USC cornerback Mekhi Blackmon, Ferris State pass rusher Caleb Murphy and Bowling Green DT Karl Brooks.
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