Commanders 7-round 2023 NFL mock draft: Trench warfare edition

Commanders draft Jack Campbell

• Linebacker | Iowa Hawkeyes

Adding to the linebacker room is something else that can help the Washington Commanders this offseason. Jack Del Rio’s defense was a force to be reckoned with in 2022, forcing the second-most three-and-outs while generating significant pressure despite missing defensive end Chase Young for a large portion of the campaign.

Getting another difference-maker at the second level would be highly beneficial. And looking at the way Del Rio deploys his defense, Jack Campbell might be a possibility if he makes it this far down the pecking order.

Campbell’s transition from the tight end position went seamlessly. He was a tackling machine during his final two seasons at Iowa, demonstrating a violent nature that often stopped oncoming runners dead in their tracks in an eye-catching fashion.

The prospect has a sideline-to-sideline presence that NFL teams always covet. Campbell’s emergence as a leader is also encouraging, with his ability to read things pre-snap something else that shouldn’t go unnoticed.

Providing his coverage skills improve and there’s more added to the way he anticipates certain aspects of playing the position, Campbell could thrive immediately. And the Commanders could do far worse than go in this direction on Day 2.