The Case For Jihaad Campbell
February 23rd, 2025
Alabama LB Jihaad Campbell.
Joe does not listen to draft podcasts until April.
You have no idea how mocked out Joe gets by the draft industrial complex and their endless mock drafts when it gets to about 10 days before the draft.
So as a form of keeping semi-sanity, Joe tries to avoid draft talk — outside of the combine and when the draft is within sight.
However, Joe has heard of a year-round draft podcast host that is not a fan of Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht. This host, Joe was told, doesn’t hate Licht and doesn’t think he is bad but the guy is irked by Licht because, allegedly, Licht doesn’t take chances.
(Sorry, Joe’s not going to bring up kickers and punters this morning.)
It’s rich that a guy with zero skin in the game wants an NFL general manager to take chances. What if Licht gambles and they blow up in his face? He loses his dream job and maybe his career. Meanwhile, the podcaster goes on his merry little small-paying way.
An NFL suit once told Joe when it comes to the draft, “Safe is good.” The goal is to get a productive player who might be developed into a stud.
Joe brings this up because Frank Schwab of Yahoo! thinks the Bucs should draft Jihaad Campbell of Alabama. Yes, the Bucs need an inside linebacker and Campbell looks like a very good one.
But Schwab made a more direct point: picking a Nick Saban linebacker like Campbell is almost always a can’t-miss selection.
Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama
Why him? It’s hard to go wrong drafting talented players from Alabama, and Campbell would be a good fit for the defense. That’s especially true if Lavonte David isn’t back. Cornerback is also a strong option here.
Well, if Lavonte David retires, the Bucs would be in a world of hurt at linebacker. If so, they better damn well draft Campbell and sign a free agent veteran with the money that otherwise would have gone to David.
A Nick Saban linebacker is as close to plug-and-play as they come. So yeah, Campbell would be a safe pick, even though that may anger a podcaster in the draft industrial complex.
February 23rd, 2025 at 11:14 am
Devin White was can’t miss too, now wasn’t he?
February 23rd, 2025 at 11:18 am
White was can’t miss his first couple of years and we wouldn’t have the SB without him. I believe ego, fame and the reach for money sunk him.
February 23rd, 2025 at 11:22 am
I remember getting excited as the 2nd round picks came and went in the 2024 draft hoping we had a shot at Edgerrin Cooper. He goes a dozen picks before us and could have extended Licht’s trade streak if he went up to get him. I sure hope Chris Braswell takes a legit jump next year because Cooper we have solved this big question mark for the Bucs this offseason.
February 23rd, 2025 at 11:31 am
We still have free agency before the draft. Priorities might change before April.
February 23rd, 2025 at 11:32 am
Schwesinger….dont get me wrong, but Campbell wont be there….and LD54 is coming back,…..he knows it 😉 just like Godwin.
Lets work on Emmanwori at 19.
February 23rd, 2025 at 11:34 am
Like Joe, JTHV can give 3 spits about any and ALL draft talk before the 10-14 day make leading up to the draft. It’s just too much brain damage to pay attention to the mass production of it all.
However, Campbell has been on my Bucs radar since 2023 and if we don’t make a splash trade for a real, superstar edge rusher like Garrett, Crosby or even Parsons then I’m completely happy to take Jihaad Campbell to become the next great Tampa Bay linebacker on the roads traveled by of LVD and Brooks.
Also, those who dislike Licht are clueless.
February 23rd, 2025 at 11:38 am
This guy would be a great pick. Just keep Coach from regressing him out of the gate.
February 23rd, 2025 at 11:47 am
How dare you Jason Licht. Playing it safe has only brought in a Hall of Fame guy like Mike Evans, and the best tackle in the game, no matter which side you put Wirfs on, and if he plays 10 years healthy will be another in the Hall of Fame. You have a top five offensive line, the best tackle duo (offensive and defensive if you ask me), an all-pro safety, just a couple of years removed from having arguably the best wide receiver room. Oh yes and you won this franchise a Super Bowl. How dare you sir, How dare you.
February 23rd, 2025 at 11:52 am
This would be a good year to find an excellent ILB after we secure that Edge rusher. I will check and see where this guy is projected to go in the draft.
February 23rd, 2025 at 12:08 pm
Good inside linebackers can be had from 2nd – 4th round. I don’t want to another Devin White.
February 23rd, 2025 at 12:17 pm
As of now, Cambell looks like the best 1st round option. The elite edges will probably be gone so why grab a second-level edge when the elite LB may be there? Especially one who many say can successfully operate as an edge as well.
An interesting thing about the Eagles this year is that they had no player with over 10 sacks. And despite years of drafting DL/Edge high, the year they finally got an ILB (Baun) it unlocked the D. Well and they fixed the secondary with premium picks, which should also be an option.
February 23rd, 2025 at 12:22 pm
i would be a close follower of jihaad come sundays
February 23rd, 2025 at 12:22 pm
OK I’m sold, let’s draft Campbell at #19. Of course, some other team MIGHT have the same need and the idea. Drafting a MLB with his talent will have a lot more impact in 2025 than any Edge we might draft. We won’t even sniff the Super Bowl unless we can fix our ILB & Secondary shortfalls.
We’ve gotten quite a few starter-capable CBs in Rnd 2 (or after) over the past 7 years … Davis, Dean, McCollum, SMB, plus Tykee Smith. I’m sure we’ll be able to grab one in this year’s Rnd 2.
Assuming our top-3 picks go to (1) ILB; (2) CB; (3) DT/NT, that’d leave us 3 more picks this year. We could use a Safety, and a Punter. Might even be wise to draft another ILB or CB is a real talent is still undrafted when we pick.
Still would love to see us draft a beastly DT/NT to complement Vea. Someone who can create interior pressure like Suh could. Vea only gives us 50-60% def snaps, and if he gets injured, we’re screwed. I like Gaines, but he’s not that guy. I’d still re-sign him (we need depth), but he doesn’t generate much interior pressure.
We also need to create a younger rotation. Vea’s under contract through 2026 (when he’ll be 32), and Gaines is year-to-year (and will be 28 in a couple of months). Brewer’s a UFA, as is Will Gholston (doubt they’ll re-sign him this year).
February 23rd, 2025 at 12:24 pm
@ModHair: Early White was a stud and Bucs don’t hoist a Lombardi without him. I-am-worth-$18mil White was not.
Not For Long is unpredictable.
February 23rd, 2025 at 12:28 pm
@DR: I advocate a “flood the zone” strategy bringing in a bunch of picks, UFA’s, and prove-it FA’s at every position on D this offseason.
And punters.
A bunch. Fingers crossed some rises to the top of the flood waters…
February 23rd, 2025 at 12:28 pm
Many mock drafts suggests you could get Campbell early in the late first or early to mid second round. If Jason Licht could trade down and pick up an additional pick and also end up with Campbell that would be a good thing.
February 23rd, 2025 at 12:34 pm
I could see the Bucs picking up Zack Baun in FA and Campbell at 19. We would have an incredible ILB group. If Licht wants to go short-term at ILB, bring in Bobby Wagner for a year or two. Bobby and LVD would be great short term
Campbell is the consensus #1 ILB at the moment. After him there are some very good ILB’s (rnd 3 grades) but no consensus:
Danny Stutsman
Jay Higgins
Chris Paul, Jr
Jamon Dumas-Johnson
The combine and pro days will shake all these guys up.
February 23rd, 2025 at 1:39 pm
Great defenses have great LB play. Look at us with Brooks, and Hardy. The Ravens defense is good with Lewis they were great. Bucs need to add talent there one way, or another, both would be good. This pick makes a lot of sense regardless what LVD does. Not sold on the Mike Greens of this draft. Some of these top edge guys are barely 250. I’d like to see what Green could do going against Wirfs before drafting him. If I had to guess he might beat Wirfs 1 in a 100 times. Green at 248 rushing against NFL tackles who have a 100 lbs on him, I doubt he’ll have much luck, but what do I know. I do know he hasn’t faced anything like Goedeke, or Wirfs playing for Marshall. A safe good pick at a position of need sounds good to me.
February 23rd, 2025 at 1:49 pm
Cmapbell grades out as an EVENTUAL starter , but not as a year 1 starter. Trading up to grab Greene from marshall is a much preferred option as his film is electric.
February 23rd, 2025 at 2:07 pm
Cobraboy … ‘I advocate a “flood the zone” strategy bringing in a bunch of picks, UFA’s, and prove-it FA’s at every position on D this offseason.’
I second that Cobra. Best way to improve our depth also.
February 23rd, 2025 at 2:15 pm
Look up Rolando McClain and Rueben Foster and get back to me on the Nick Saban/Bama Linebacker certainty thing.
February 23rd, 2025 at 2:19 pm
The story of what caused D White to go off of the rails will be interesting one day. I don’t know if we will ever hear it though.
February 23rd, 2025 at 2:32 pm
A lot of good options at 19. WR, LB, CB, Edge. Just depends on what we do in FA.
February 23rd, 2025 at 2:55 pm
Jihad huh? I guess im the only one that understands where he came from
February 23rd, 2025 at 3:23 pm
Brandonbucc Says:
Jihad huh? I guess im the only one that understands where he came from
^^^^^^
Can you imagine Christian Izien and Jihaad Campbell on the same defense?
February 23rd, 2025 at 3:40 pm
YEAH BUT WHAT ABOUT SACKS!
February 23rd, 2025 at 3:57 pm
If drafting Alabama players are plug and play what happened to brashwell lol
February 23rd, 2025 at 4:05 pm
Our inability to have a fast ILB to play beside Lavante hurt us a lot more than the lack of and edge rush
February 23rd, 2025 at 5:00 pm
Good article I actually beleive this is who we are going draft.