4. LB Jack Campbell
Due to how well Alex Anzalone and Derrick Barnes have played, Campbell has been deployed as an edge rusher at times so far in his rookie season. It's a completely new role for him, in a sheer effort to get him on the field more and help a pass rush that has been lacking outside of Aidan Hutchinson.
Since he was a first-round pick, and as Woodward Sports acknowledged, Campbell's perceived underachievement thus far could be rooted in outsized and almost unreasonable expectations.
What grade are you giving Detroit Lions rookie LB Jack Campbell so far this season?
— Woodward Sports Network (@woodwardsports) November 3, 2023
"I am going to give Jack Campbell a C+..." pic.twitter.com/jZLlYpd4IO
Campbell has shown some flashes of his talent, as a rookie who's figuring it and taking on pieces of a totally new role out would tend to do. But his Pro Football Focus grades have been lackluster (42.7 coverage grade, 48.3 pass rush grade, 46.3 overall grade), and it's fair to say opponents have/will continue to try to isolate him in pass coverage.
How much opportunity he will get down the stretch, barring injuries, is unclear. But Campbell started the last three games going into the bye, with his two highest snap shares of the season in the last two (however potential skewed by the blowout loss to Baltimore in Week 7).
Getting more out of Campbell from here on out starts with getting him more reps, as long as it makes sense and he's worthy of the work. At minimum, his growth and performance after the bye is something to watch closely.
3. DT Isaiah Buggs
The Lions' run defense has been great so far this season (second in the league; 76.8 yards allowed per game). But one of the key cogs in the turnaround of the run defense last year has been a non-factor.
Buggs was a notable healthy scratch in Week 1, and he has played in just five of the first eight games this season. He has also played 35 percent of the snaps in the games he has played in, with very little impact outside of a sack.
It's unclear what has happened with Buggs so far this season, but it's fair to say Dan Campbell's explanation for his benching in the season opener (practice performance) is potentially telling. Rookie defensive tackle Brodric Martin may now be pushing for a role, so the idea of getting more from Buggs after the bye week could already be something the Lions have given up on.