Dolphins Potential Draft Target: LB Jack Campbell

Scouting report on Iowa linebacker Jack Campbell and how he would fit with the Dolphins

The 2023 NFL draft is quickly approaching.

The Miami Dolphins don’t have a first-round pick (would have been 21st overall) due to tampering with Tom Brady and Sean Payton, but they do have the 51st overall pick, two third-round picks (77 and 85) and two Day 3 picks (198 and 241).

Miami is hoping those picks can help them build on a roster that reached the playoffs this past season for the first time since 2016.

This article series is intended to be an introduction to these players so fans are familiar with a number of options and why they make sense for the Dolphins.

We’ll dive into some simple biographical information, the pros and cons of their game and how they fit into Miami’s scheme or depth chart.

IOWA LB JACK CAMPBELL

Basic Background

Career Stats: Campbell was a multi-year starter for one of the Big Ten’s strongest defenses. He didn’t record many stats as a freshman in 2019, but he still got onto the field for 11 games.

He became a full-time starter and permanent defensive captain in 2021. He was also named to the first-team All-Big Ten by league media.

Campbell parlayed that into an even more impressive showing this past season, which included winning the Butkus Award as the top linebacker in the nation. He also became the 13th player in Iowa history to be a unanimous All-American. 

Pros of Campbell's Game

In an NFL that consistently asks its linebackers to become leaner, Campbell presents more of a throwback body type. He’s 6-4, 248 pounds, allowing him to be a physically imposing presence in the middle of any defense.

He excels defending the run. Campbell has impressive football intelligence, which shows up when he’s running downhill to get into the backfield against the run. He’s one of the rare linebacker prospects still capable of stacking a block and shedding.

While he’s not an elite athlete, Campbell has solid sideline-to-sideline range. He made some nice plays in the boundary, including pursuing wide receiver screens. His ability to quickly recognize what the offense is trying to do allows him to make plays requiring a higher athletic ability.

Campbell’s best place in coverage is playing in short zones in the middle of the field. He reacts to the eyes of the quarterback well and even flashed some ball skills, evidenced by his career 15 PBUs and five interceptions. 

Cons of Campbell's Game

Campbell’s size affords him certain strengths, but it has drawbacks. He’s a little stiff in the hips. This prevents him from changing directions quickly, which shows up mostly when he’s trying to make tackles in the open field.

It also makes him a bit of a liability in man coverage. Most NFL tight ends and running backs will be capable of pulling away from him vertically or separating from him out of route breaks.

Overall, Campbell is an average athlete. He ran a 4.65 official 40-yard dash at the NFL combine, which isn’t bad, but it’s also not the elite speed teams are prioritizing at linebacker these days. 

HOW JACK CAMPBELL FITS THE MIAMI DOLPHINS

The Dolphins are going to need some new linebackers. Players like Jerome Baker, Elandon Roberts and Duke Riley have struggled at various times in the past couple of seasons.

Roberts and Riley are free agents, leaving Baker and last year’s third-round pick Channing Tindall as the main inside linebackers coming back next season.

Campbell is a smart, reliable linebacker with a low floor. He won’t blow anyone out of the water with his athletic profile, but he would complement Baker and Tindall well.

Campbell’s ability to win against the run, identify what the offense is trying to do and play solid zone coverage make him a perfect pairing for Baker and Tindall, who have the speed and athletic ability Campbell doesn’t.

The Dolphins need more well-rounded players in the middle of the defense. Baker and Roberts were both specialists, and Tindall projects as one too. Campbell can do some of everything and won’t look out of place if forced to play as a rookie.

Miami will play a lot of zone coverage with new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, which is where Campbell excels. 

Odds Campbell makes it to 51

The linebacker position isn’t one valued overly high by most NFL teams. When looking at most mock drafts from major draft analysts, they have at most one linebacker going in the first round.

When it comes to Campbell specifically, the truth is his throwback play style and lack of elite athletic ability likely will push him down the board. Players like Arkansas’ Drew Sanders, Clemson’s Trenton Simpson and Tulane’s Dorian Williams will run faster than Campbell.

Campbell’s middling athletic ability and the devaluation of the linebacker position could even push him down to Miami’s picks in the third round.

The Dolphins have struggled to find quality play at the second level for years. Campbell might never be an All-Pro linebacker, but he’s likely to be a solid starter. The Dolphins need more players like that at linebacker. 

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