Lions: Dan Campbell ‘isn’t a fan’ of prospective No. 2 pick

Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell does not seem to be a fan of Oregon Ducks standout Kayvon Thibodeaux.

While the Detroit Lions are expected to go pass-rusher at No. 2 overall in the 2022 NFL Draft, it would be shocking for Oregon star Kayvon Thibodeaux to be the second player off the board, as Lions head coach Dan Campbell is reportedly not a fan of him.

In Albert Breer’s mock draft for The MMQB, Sports Illustrated’s NFL insider discusses what Detroit will do, and will not do, with its No. 2 pick. The expectation is the Lions will go with an edge rusher. If former Michigan star Aidan Hutchinson does not go No. 1 to the Jacksonville Jaguars, he will be Detroit’s pick. If he does go No. 1, it will probably be Travon Walker out of Georgia at No. 2.

Interestingly enough, Breer reports that Campbell is not a fan of Thibodeaux as one NFL executive says “his personality is a lot” and is not an ideal fit for the culture Campbell is trying to build with the Lions.

NFL Draft rumors: Lions HC Dan Campbell is not a fan of Kayvon Thibodeaux

There are reasons why Thibodeaux has gone from a top-three lock in the NFL Draft process to a guy who could potentially fall out of the top 10. His personality traits and playing in the weakest Power Five conference has not helped him. Even more so, players like Hutchinson had better college seasons last year. Others like Walker have elite physical traits and had great NFL combines.

So even if Campbell is off the Thibodeaux scent, it really should not be that hard to pick at player at No. 2. If the Lions covet a pass rusher, then they are drafting either Hutchinson or Walker. Should they want a defensive back, they could slightly reach on Sauce Gardner at No. 2. If they choose to reach on a quarterback, they can make Malik Willis out of Liberty their next face of the franchise.

While Detroit will not to screw this one up, the question remains how far will Thibodeaux fall. Breer has the New York Giants taking him at No. 7 with their second of two first-round picks. The G-Men are in dire need of talent. If he is the next Michael Strahan, then the Giants have won the draft. The Atlanta Falcons may be at play at No. 8 if they go for the best defensive player available.

There are only a handful of players Detroit could take at No. 2, and it is not going to be Thibodeaux.