Dan Campbell on Kayvon Thibodeaux: 'He’s Pretty Special on Tape'
The Detroit Lions took a conservative approach to free agency this offseason.
General manager Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell have clearly sold ownership on the notion of a long-term, multi-year rebuild.
Despite unprecedented player movement this offseason, the Lions made a concerted effort to retain several of their own free agents and added selectively externally.
"We’re sticking to the plan. Brad’s (Holmes) draft research, the scouts, the work they’ve all done is phenomenal," Hamp told the team's website. "It’s so detailed and so thorough. I just have all the confidence that the right decisions are going to be made.”
Ahead of the 2022 NFL Draft, Campbell addressed his thoughts on the potential prospects the team could add to the roster, via the draft, with a small group of reporters.
Detroit has been linked to several players at the No. 2 spot.
Among them is defensive lineman Kayvon Thibodeaux, out of Oregon.
"I think as much exposure as you can get, the better off you are. And man, listen, he’s an explosive athlete and he’s a playmaker," Campbell said, via Lions beat writer Dave Birkett. "He’s got a good, quick first step. I mean, he’s -- he’s something else. He’s pretty special on tape."
Campbell continued, "You do the best you can, and that's why our scouts have been around a lot. ... I don’t care about the perceived issues. Does he love football? That’s all I care about. Ultimately, I think that’s all we care about. If this guy loves football, we can handle anything else. I’m not concerned with the other stuff."
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At Oregon's pro day, Detroit notably sent seven staffers, including general manager Brad Holmes.
Campbell explained why the organization has spent more time evaluating Thibodeaux than other draft prospects.
"You just want to make sure that any questions you have, that you have them answered," Campbell said. "That's the best way to say it. Some guys, you can get those questions a lot sooner. Some guys, those questions got answered two months ago. Some, it goes all the way down the line. And, that's top to bottom, that's across the board. That's not always just the athletic ability, that's the other things. So, could be mental, could be anything. That's just kind of the nature of it."
The talented lineman has battled perceptions that he is not committed to football and that he has taken plays off.
Despite the criticisms, he wants his play that he put on film to dictate how NFL teams view him.
"I love it," Thibodeaux said at his pro day. "You know, I don’t think I love it in a sense of, you know… I just think it’s to the point where it’s something to talk about, and as long as people are talking about me, and I consistently stay who I am and I know that I’m doing everything in my power to do things the right way, and then I talk to the coaches and I’m creating a relationship and doing things with coaches, I let the media run wild. You know, you guys can make it you want. It just gives me more followers.”
