Top 5 newcomers for the Detroit Lions in 2023

5. LB Jack Campbell

The Lions have tried to get Campbell on the field more by deploying him as an edge rusher at times this season. It's a different role he has fully embraced, and he seems to have found a broad comfort level lately.

Since Week 6, Campbell has started all but one game and played more than 60 percent of the defensive snaps in six of the 11 games. When called on to replace an injured Alex Anzalone as the "green dot guy" for the Lions' defense in Week 13 against the New Orleans Saints, he had nine total tackles with two tackles for loss. He followed that with a 10-tackle outing against the Chicago Bears in Week 14.

Campbell has had some expected struggles as a rookie, especially in coverage. It'd be nice to see more splashy plays from him right now, but it's broadly a complement to him to say he has not been all that noticeable in recent weeks. Steady is just fine to get the job done, and Campbell's future looks as bright as the Lions' hoped it'd be when they took him in the first round last April.

For many other teams this season, if not all of the other 31, Campbell would be higher than the fifth-ranked newcomer based on what he has done. But stiff competition puts him here.