Daniel Jeremiah: Jihaad Campbell Could Be A 10-Sack Guy
February 22nd, 2025
A pass rusher, too?
Call Joe a round numbers guy.
If you rack up 1,000 yards receiving, you’re a good receiver. If you throw for 300 yards, you’ve had a good day passing.
Hit .300 in baseball and you’re a good hitter. Get 3,000 hits and you are a Hall of Famer. If you have 20 wins, you’re a great starter.
For Joe, when it comes to pass rushers, you get 10 sacks and you’re good. Former Crows, Eagles and Browns scout Daniel Jeremiah thinks Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell can be that kind of a guy, despite being an off-the-ball linebacker.
The Bucs have a terrible need for linebackers that will only deepen if Bucs icon Lavonte David retires. A lot of folks think, because of that, the Bucs will draft an inside linebacker at No. 19.
Campbell is thought to be that kind of guy. In his pre-combine press conference, Jeremiah crowed how good of a fit Campbell would be in a Todd Bowles defense.
But Jeremiah, the popular NFL Network analyst added, Campbell isn’t just an off-the-ball linebacker. Jeremiah believes on passing downs, if the team that drafts Campbell pushes him to the outside, Campbell could be a beast of a pass rusher.
“When [Campbell] plays off the ball in the range and the ability to use him as a blitzer from off the ball is pretty special,” Jeremiah said. “Then I’m not so sure you can’t just get to third down and let him kick outside full-time and let him rush, and he might get you ten sacks doing that.”
Joe seems to recall that was how the Bucs envisioned using former fifth-overall pick Devin White. He would be an inside linebacker and then blitz on passing downs.
In 2020, the Super Bowl season for the Bucs, White chalked up nine sacks.
The more Joe thinks of it, the more this Campbell has “Bucs” written all over him.
LB1 Jihaad Campbell in '24: 117 tackles, 12 TFL, 5 sacks, 1 INT, 2 FF, 5.8 MIS%.
Size + length (6'3, 245 lbs.) to set the edge (former No. 1 edge recruit) + flashes pass rush tools & closing speed on blitzes, good off-ball instincts vs. run, very capable playmaker in coverage. pic.twitter.com/h7rAqQNVKB
— Ricky Raines (@rickyboboddy) February 20, 2025
February 22nd, 2025 at 8:10 am
Hard to assess from this film when so many of the plays he’s making are when he’s untouched getting to the RB or QB.
February 22nd, 2025 at 8:15 am
I keep seeing Jalen McMillan’s brother Tetairoa McMillan linked to us in Mocks.
I think it would be great but I would prefer we go Defense. Tetairoa will not last until the 2nd round.
February 22nd, 2025 at 8:19 am
I’d be real happy with this kid. They’re gonna ask Braswell all about his work habits and character. Could be end up being a major motivator for Bras too.
February 22nd, 2025 at 8:28 am
Would be nice to get sacks without blitzing, leaving holes in the secondary
Remember when we smoked the chiefs in the super bowl? we got pressure with 4, leaving everyone else to cover their assignments, it was magical
Im sure hes a bad ass linebacker
February 22nd, 2025 at 8:45 am
Campbell would be an excellent pick but, will he be there at pick #19?
February 22nd, 2025 at 9:05 am
Campbell and Braswell…instant chemistry?
February 22nd, 2025 at 9:05 am
In his Mock Draft 1.0 (Jan 26th) Jeremiah had the Bucs picking Jihaad Campbell at #19.
But in his Mock Draft 2.0 (18 Feb), he had the Bucs picking WR Tetairoa McMillan at #19 and Campbell went to the Commanders at #29.
I could see by-passing Campbell if there was a world-class CB available (Bucs need a CB as much as we need an ILB), but this doesn’t seem to be the year to prioritize offense over defense. Assuming that we re-sign Chris Godwin, we’ll have enough top WR weapons (Evans, Godwin & McMillan) to compete for the Super Bowl IF we fix our defense. And that needs to start with CB, ILB, Edge & DT/NT.
February 22nd, 2025 at 9:41 am
cant wait for bucs to release jihaad on opposing qbs
February 22nd, 2025 at 9:49 am
SB – Jalen McMillan and Tetairoa McMillan are not brothers… they are not related at all.
Campbell looks like a good player – but Edge and CB are both needs and more appropriate positions for a 1st rd pick than ILB.
Its a lot easier to find a good MLB in the 3rd rd than an Edge rusher…. Bucs got lucky with Diaby lasting until the 3rd round two years ago. Jason needs to find his bookend in the 1st or 2nd round this year.
February 22nd, 2025 at 10:06 am
Campbell kind of reminds me of the good Devin White (as opposed to the one that showed up later). He has the size and speed to seal the edge, defend the pass, blitz, and stuff the run. Seems like all the attributes of a good ILB. I would not be disappointed with the selection, particularly if David decides to play another year and then Campbell could learn from the best.
February 22nd, 2025 at 10:19 am
Campbell is far away the #1 ILB in the draft. There is no consensus in ranking the other ILB’s. As much as I like him, I’d rather go CB or Edge at 19 depending on how FA goes for the Bucs. In rnd 2, I like ILB as I think we can get Licht/Bowles’ second or third ranked ILB in rnd2. Then go back to CB or Edge in rnd3. If there is a great NT or DT3 in rnd3, that would be good too especially with Vita aging at 350lbs.
Free agency will tell us a lot. Will Licht think the Bucs have a two year window to win and bring in Zach Baun from the Eagles?
February 22nd, 2025 at 10:49 am
Sounds like Devin when he was good. Hope he’s there at 19.
February 22nd, 2025 at 10:54 am
So Braswell is a bust already it seems.
February 22nd, 2025 at 11:12 am
He is actually rated in the mid to low 20’s by the major boards at ESPN, PFF –
Picking at 19 I would grab him even if LVD plays one more year and preferably so
Jihad/David/Dennis if he can shake the injury bug would be one of the best sets of ILB in the league and let LVD mentor the kids as a coach on the field
February 22nd, 2025 at 12:38 pm
Dirka dirka mohamed jihad
February 22nd, 2025 at 12:38 pm
No idea. But there’s no (real) production there to bank on anything. Rookie edge rushers rarely make an impact, true. Braswell was damn near invisible.
Bucs aren’t a developing team. They’re a team that is almost built for a run (two or three positions on defense away). Not sure any coach with a playoff team that has a roster with several Pro Bowl and future Hall of Famers can point to a guy with 1.5 sacks to his name and say, “We can count on eight sacks and two forced fumbles from this guy.” Based on what?
Not saying Braswell is a bust. Too early. But man, even for a rookie, 1.5 sacks in 17 games is not cutting it.
That’s 1.5 sacks more than Jose Ramirez (who?) and the J.J. Watt of practice squads Markees Watts.
February 22nd, 2025 at 12:48 pm
Bowles and George Edwards had Braswell practicing his drops into coverage all training camp! Edwards was just moved out of his OLB position since he did nothing to improve our edge rush. No wonder Braswell didn’t have many sacks.
ALL of our edge rushers need to go to Von Miller’s annual Sack Summit. They’ll learn more in a few days there than with the Buc’s coaches.
February 22nd, 2025 at 1:11 pm
Who would be legitimate CBs worth taking at 19? Will Johnson… Ben Morrison seems risky there… Jahdae Barron will be damn near 24 (maybe a good thing?).
I’d be on board with a first round CB but not sure many good candidates.
Green, Pearce, Donovan O, Campbell, Walker, Sawyer… those are the 6 guys Edge/LB I have currently circled for round 1. May be a reach for a couple at 19.
February 22nd, 2025 at 2:52 pm
Pickgrin is right-MLB is not a position worth a first or second round pick in any draft. Campbell is an exceptionally versatile prospect so I wouldn’t be upset if the Bucs spent their second rounder to make him a Buc but this year’s first can be better spent. I can see the Bucs taking a DB with how inept the Bucs’ pass D was in 2024 and Bowles’s leaning on Licht as he does with the draft. Malaki Starks is a safety who can use his 4.37 speed to play centerfield and zip into the box to make statement stops at or behind the line of scrimmage versus the run or erase underneath throws. He stacks and sheds blocks like a veteran LB at 6’1″/205 and explodes through ball carriers with textbook form. Nick Emmanwori is another safety who uses his 4.38 speed to play downhill with bad intentions and perfect form but he is 6’3″/227 so I expect will be gone by the Bucs’ pick. So will CB Jahdae Barron who could step into starting and thriving for Bowles’ but Azareye’h Thomas could do the same and may still be on the board for the Bucs. Those are the only two CBs in this draft with the natural talents, proclivities and skills to step nigh seamlessly into Bowles scheme and be an asset from Week 1 forward. I would be thrilled to land any of those four DBs. Mike Green is tempting but he has T-Rex arms and tiny hands to go with them. He is elegantly effective using those lady arms of his against opponents like Coastal Carolina but he lacks the sand in his pants and length to defeat NFL blockers to the tune of 10 sacks. Donovan Ezeiruaku only had 16.5 sacks and 20.5 TFL in 2024 but he could be there when the Bucs pick in the second round. He is an ankle-biter of an edge at 6’2″ 248 but has the arm length and wingspan of an early round OT combined with sophisticated pass rush plans so I see him as a both a better value and more likely to give an NFL team 10 sacks than Ward or Green as a speedy and technically refined pass rush specialist.
February 22nd, 2025 at 3:14 pm
Unless there is a stud edge there at 19, ILb is arguably the biggest need esp if David retires. The middle of our defense was exposed all year. If they add a pass rusher in FA or Trade and still have a first this year, no concerns adding Campbell, he can rush the passer as well and they need playmakers at every posiition. Corner is a need as well but this isnt a great class. Id be looking in FA for a corner or mid rounds for depth assuming Dean is still on the roster. Mccollum, dean and tykee are more than capable when healthy. Need to add depth at the position or upgrade in FA if Dean is released. The pass rush will greatly help the pass defense and Campbell will help the middle of our field.
February 22nd, 2025 at 3:32 pm
Preach, Joe! Preach!
The Bucs have won two Super Bowls. As I recall, both of those teams had an ILB who was a first round pick.
Most recently, the Bucs had first round pick ILB Devin White. He did not has so far not had an enduring career, but he was critical to the Bucs success in that Super Bowl season.
Some years before that, the Bucs drafted another ILB in the first round. Seems like his name might have been Derrick something? Brooks, maybe? He didn’t do too much – only won one Super Bowl, but then, who hasn’t done that? Only selected for the Pro Bowl 11 times, All Pro first team 5 times, second team 4 times, Bucs Ring of Honor, and he got a fancy yellow jacket for something – Hall of Fame, was it?
Now, drafting is never a sure thing – you never know when a player will blow off some fingers playing with fireworks or crack some vertebrae in a car crash, or just not measure up to what seems to be his potential. But, you take the best shot that you can.
Numbers don’t guarantee a good career, but comparisons are interesting.
Brooks was 6 feet tall; Campbell is 6’3”.
Brooks was 235 pounds; Campbell weighs 245.
Brooks ran a 4.71 40; Campbell has run 4.52.
Longer, faster, and the weight suggests maybe stronger than the Bucs only Hall of Fame linebacker; that seems like a good start.
Bring back David, of course. Pair Campbell with another long, fast, ILB who excels in man and zone coverage ILB from the third or fourth round; someone with at least 4.5 speed – Smael Mondon, Cody Simon, Lander Barton, David Bailey. The Bucs could supercharge the heart of the defense.
There are a lot of good options in the second and third rounds for Edge, Edge-DE, and DE in the second, third and fourth rounds – Jack Sawyer, JT Tuimoloau, Princely Unanmielen, Landon Jackson, Josiah Stewart, Ashton Gilotte, Brady Stinson.
And, in free agency, it seems like the Bucs have had good success going for multiple value signings like Shaq Barrett and Baker Mayfield.
February 22nd, 2025 at 3:40 pm
Is it just me but Campbell reminds me of Parsons is wouldbt mind picking him up he could fit 2 needs for Bucs
February 22nd, 2025 at 3:55 pm
I would be totally happy with Campbell at #19.
If David retires (hope not, a last-season your would be nice) ILB becomes the biggest hole, by far, on this team.
If David stays, ILB becomes a force.
My *hope* is Campbell is high-lQ White without the mental issues.
February 22nd, 2025 at 3:58 pm
@toopanka: it is hard to compare an OLB on a 4-3 (Mr. Derrick Brooks) to an ILB in a 3-4 (Campbell/David.)
February 22nd, 2025 at 4:00 pm
White was a ridiculous pass rusher at ILB until his brain melted down, and he thought his s#!t didn’t dtink.
February 22nd, 2025 at 4:01 pm
Based on the fact that short passes into the middle of our defense was the gameplan of most of our opponents, a speedy linebacker who can cover is probably our greatest need.
Its debatable whether our defense suffered more abuse via short passes in the middle or, QB’s having too much time in the pocket. More often than not both deficiencies led to the same exact outcome; a completed pass in the middle of our defense. A slow linebacker trailing an opponent’s speedy receiver who is turning a 7 yard reception into a 17 yard gain.
Interestingly, Campbell seems to be able to be an answer to both of our problems. He won’t be around in the second round so we need to get Garrett in free agency and pick up Campbell in the first round.
February 22nd, 2025 at 4:21 pm
Don’t think Campbell will be there at #19.
February 22nd, 2025 at 6:22 pm
I’m sure Ward will be an excellent addition to an NFL team but the drop off in performance in the area the Bucs are lacking between him and options available in round 3 like Barrett Carter, Smael Mondon and Jeffry Bassa is negligible. Any of those three would patch the LB portion of the gaping hole in the Bucs’ pass D. I’m not saying those three are the best LBs in the draft but they are the most ready-to-do what Bowels needs LBs to do in ‘25 and represent where the Bucs needs meet BPA in this draft. Carter will have some buzz after the combine and rise due to crazy good times in the short shuttle and 3 cone methinks but Mondon or Bassa plus a youngish vet LB in FA can do everything Bowles and we fans need them to do.
February 22nd, 2025 at 8:02 pm
I love campbell for our first pick!
February 22nd, 2025 at 11:42 pm
rather go edge and take lander barton early 4th round
February 23rd, 2025 at 12:31 am
@SB they are not brothers
February 23rd, 2025 at 1:30 am
Jerimiah actually may end up being right but…What GM in their right mind is gonna draft this dude in the first round and plan on moving him to OLB on third down? Don’t think Todd is likely sign off on that either.
Not a big fan of Campbell or any of the “1st round LBs”. Not as sure fire rookie starters anyway.
Go Bucs!