ESPN is continuing their series of ranking players for the 2026 season after surveying NFL coaches, executives, and scouts. For Tuesday's edition, it's the linebackers' turn!
Of course Detroit Lions' Jack Campbell is ranked #1, right? He was the First-Team All-Pro at the position last season, after all. Or maybe he's #2, as San Francisco 49ers' Fred Warner is the modern day legend at the position. Campbell did also rank second on Pro Football Focus last season, with a 90.2 grade.
Fifth? Campbell was ranked fifth?! Sadly, it's true. There was even a voter who left Campbell out of their top-ten entirely. Campbell's highest vote was first, at least.
Per Jeremy Fowler, who put all of this together, one AFC assistant coach said of Campbell, "Excellent football IQ, tough, physical, plays downhill, instinctive, aware, leader -- throwback football player."
Campbell finished second last season behind Miami Dolphins' Jordyn Brooks (#7 in this ranking) in combined tackles with 176. His three forced-fumbles last season matched him with reigning Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett, now with the Los Angeles Rams, while his 5.0 sacks eclipsed every LB ahead of him in this ranking. In fact, Campbell fell one sack short of equaling that top-four combined.
Campbell's ranking continues the trend of lower-than-expected rankings, despite his ascent to elite status. Campbell was ranked as the #86 player in the league by CBS Sports' Pete Prisco, and achieved a similar ranking of #88 in the NFL Top 100, voted on by players.
Campbell was ranked behind an incoming sophomore
It's best to remember this ranking is for the 2026 season, not the 2025 one. It's also ranked by some of the people who know football the best. Many of those same voters likely had offensive tackle Penei Sewell at #1 at his position.
Nothing wrong with celebrating favorable placements of Lions players in other rankings, while still being perplexed by this one. Especially when the First-Team All-Pro gets ranked behind an incoming sophomore like Cleveland Browns' Carson Schwesinger, winner of the Defensive Rookie of the Year award.
Ranking behind Warner (#1), Baltimore Ravens' Roquan Smith (#2), and Philadelphia Eagles' Zack Baun (#4) is fair, as they've won their own All-Pros in the past. Reputation can sway anyone, and Campbell is only just starting to get that reputation, both in terms of recognition and in pay. Schwesinger's third-place ranking is all about potential.
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Schwesinger is a special talent coming off of a phenomenal rookie season, with 156 combined tackles, 2.5 sacks, and two interceptions for that vaunted Browns defense. He could truly be the third-best LB next season, and the reincarnation of (the very-much-alive) Luke Kuechly, as one personnel executive was quoted as saying.
Similar to Campbell, Schwesinger was left off a ballot, but unlike Campbell, was not voted #1 in any of them. And with Garrett and defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz no longer in Cleveland, Schwesinger will be at risk for a sophomore slump, giving him more uncertainty than Campbell.
Campbell has constantly proven doubters wrong ever since his controversial selection in the 2023 NFL Draft. This ranking just adds more bulletin board material for him. A repeat performance from Campbell this season should silence any remaining doubters.
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