Jihaad Campbell And The Bucs
March 16th, 2025
Draft intrigue.
Joe often likes to say that what a team does in free agency is a window into its upcoming draft.
Fans know what holes there are on the Bucs roster before the combine when (coughcough) illegal tampering kicks off (coughcough).
So the holes remaining after free agency are likely the draft targets.
Despite Lavonte David coming back at inside linebacker, the position is still a major need, maybe more so than cornerback. The Bucs really pumped up SirVocea Dennis at the combine and Joe agrees he has untapped potential.
Bucs coach Todd Bowles even said when Dennis got hurt and was lost for the season with a bum shoulder, his absence hurt the defense. Given how terrible the pass defense was, specifically in the middle of the field, Joe believes Bowles.
For all the talent Dennis flashes, though, he cannot stay on the field. For all we know, Dennis could be the next Derrick Brooks but if he’s in the tub it doesn’t matter.
So will the Bucs really bank on an injury-prone inside linebacker when it appears this team has a real shot to make a Super Bowl run?
Throw in that David is very likely entering his final season, and one can see how badly the Bucs need an inside linebacker.
Joe has been really, really high on this Jihaad Campbell out of Alabama. He could be the linebacker that the Bucs thought Devin White would/should have been.
And since off-ball linebackers like Campbell don’t normally go high in the draft, there’s a shot he could be there at No. 19.
Jordan Reid of BSPN is high on Campbell, too. But based on free agency, Reid isn’t sure Campbell will be on the board when the Bucs pick at No. 19.
The way off-ball linebackers got paid in free agency tells him teams have a higher value on that position this year.
Off-ball linebackers have surprisingly become hot commodities in free agency. Both teams that were just in the Super Bowl paid hefty prices to keep the centerpieces of their defenses in place, as Zack Baun returned to the Eagles on a three-year, $51 million deal while the Chiefs brought back Nick Bolton on a three-year, $45 million contract. The Jets also re-signed Jamien Sherwood before free agency after his big season. With the growing emphasis on the running game, teams showed they would spend on the position this offseason.
None of those three backers Reid cited were first-round picks. Bolton was picked in the second round, Baun in the third and Sherwood in the fifth.
While Reid isn’t sure that Campbell will be available at No. 19, Reid seems pretty certain Campbell will land in the NFC South. And if he’s there at No. 19, you can go ahead and print up a Bucs No. 11 jersey for him (sorry Michael Pratt).
Campbell is my No. 14 player in this class and the prototype at the position. He could be drafted as high as No. 8 (Panthers), and his floor is likely No. 19 (Buccaneers). The Falcons at No. 15 make a lot of sense as a landing spot, as they need linebackers and players capable of rushing the quarterback.
Drafting Campbell just may make this Bucs defense complete. Haason Reddick will ignite a dormant pass rush, Joe believes. And Campbell next to David seems frightening (in a good way).
The only element left is a quality backup corner because there are three sure things in life: death, taxes and Jamel Dean being unable to finish a playoff game.
Man, Joe sure hopes Dean can find a magic elixir to stay healthy.
Ira Kaufman Talks Bucs Drafting A Cornerback, Haason Reddick Introduction, Lavonte David 2026, Adds & Subtractions, Landing The Donut, And More
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— JoeBucsFan (@JoeBucsFan) March 16, 2025
March 16th, 2025 at 9:31 am
One thing is for sure. Dean getting injured and missing at least 4 games. Take that bet all day long. But, when he does play, our defense is much better with him on the field!
March 16th, 2025 at 9:34 am
Fingers crossed he’s there.
March 16th, 2025 at 9:43 am
Devin White 2.0. Pass.
March 16th, 2025 at 9:48 am
Seems like I read Jihaad lacks instincts on a lot of scouting reports. I would rather the Bucs take a DL at one, CB at two and LB three.
March 16th, 2025 at 10:04 am
I would say there’s an argument that Dennis isn’t as injury prone as would appear. His first year, he did miss some time, maybe all of preseason. And maybe a few regular season games. Last year though, from the reports I’ve read was totally because he had a nagging shoulder thing from Pitt that would have been fixed except for that he was preparing for the draft, and then after his rookie year, instead of getting it fixed, he wanted to be 100% devoted to training since his rookie year he had a few setbacks. So, this nagging shoulder thing just never got fixed and it resulted in the injury this past season. Well, it’s fixed now. I wouldn’t assume he’s going to be an injury liability again.
March 16th, 2025 at 10:05 am
Jeff Says:
March 16th, 2025 at 9:43 am
As usual, a well-considered and reasonable response. Jee Zuss… give it a break dude.
March 16th, 2025 at 10:09 am
How about we go sign a CB and LB. Then draft at least 1 other CB and LB. Can’t ever have enough depth at positions that have been question marks. I would be fine drafting an EDGE rusher, CB or LB. As long as we draft 1 of each (at least) I’ll be happy. And, there’s plenty of serviceable corners we can sign now (Hilton, Gilmore, Douglas..). Will be interesting to see what they do, but as a fan, this offseason has been terrific, thus far!
March 16th, 2025 at 10:16 am
Not to sure if we can call Dennis brittle yet after only 2 years. Evidently this shoulder has been lingering and they hoped it would get better without surgery but were wrong. I think he was injured his rookie year in training and never really saw a lot of the field that year. Dean is a different story as he’s been here longer and gets hurt every year. Hope Dennis is not SUSEPTIBLE to the injury bug. Last year the backups backups got hurt and we were scrambling the waiver wire almost every week looking for healthy body’s, no wonder our pass D stunk.
March 16th, 2025 at 10:24 am
Some good linebackers in this draft, dont necessarily need to take Campbell. If he checks the boxes and the Bucs feel he can be the next great Buc LB, sure take him. On paper, Id rather continue to keep building that DL and take the edge player they were looking at and draft a LB later 2 to 4 rounds.
March 16th, 2025 at 10:24 am
I would be all in on a trade up to get JC. This would give the Buc’s an awesome future, near term and down the road! JL and his staff have been outstanding in finding gems later in the draft. Move up, grab a sure thing in JC. Then find a corner/nickel in the 2nd round. IMHO.
March 16th, 2025 at 10:28 am
Schwesinger, Paul and Knight all are good options. All three sound intelligent and able to anticipate and had good physicality and speed. Some are smaller than others but that never stopped Brooks and David.
March 16th, 2025 at 10:30 am
No way he’s there at 19…
March 16th, 2025 at 10:31 am
Think this is the 4th column already about him.
Overall if you look at the draft board and team needs, the board does not fall well for us AT ALL. A shame. From #14 through #17, each team badly needs a DE/LB this year, and a couple of those 4 teams need both DE & LB. So GM to the stars here will have to decide if one like him mentioned above can solve multiple issues for us for years to come, is it worth it to the GM here to send a 2026 3rd round pick (which should be at back half of draft round) and a 5th rounder this year up to say the horseshoe team at #14 to jump the division rival for Campbell?? If convicted, would be dumb to watch that player play against you for a decade in your division.
Board stinks for us.
March 16th, 2025 at 10:33 am
19 seems a little high for a LB when some defensive lineman with the same potential or upside are on the board.
I would prefer the DL and then someone like Carson Schwesinger in our 2nd round.
March 16th, 2025 at 10:33 am
The wheels absolutely came off the bus on our defense after Dennis got hurt. At present, JJ Russell is the only other guy who can pay the position, and he isn’t even signed yet.
REALLY need JC, else someone similar
March 16th, 2025 at 10:40 am
The one thing we can’t do is fall in love with him. If he’s there at 19 and he’s the best player at a position of need for us then he should obviously be the pick. If he’s not, then I trust our staff will go with with whoever they consider the best player. Let’s not overthink this. But all signs do point to him not being a Devin White clone. So there’s that.
March 16th, 2025 at 11:00 am
Jason has this. We shouldn’t forget, Jason got Izien as a rookie UDFA. I firmly believe there are other depth pieces like him. The way Todd plays defense, it would be a wasted pick to go get a highly touted college CB, who would have earned his accolades by playing tight man coverage.
I’m with the “center of the defense” movement. More depth to help Vita, more depth at ILB even if we draft Jihaad – get another guy also. And then of course edge.
March 16th, 2025 at 11:02 am
Emmanworri is 6’3″ 220 lb safety with sub 4.40 time. If this guy is available, he will be a better pick than Campbell. Emmanworri can cover sideline to sideline and can add weight if needed to play ILB. Teamed with a hopefully fully recovered Winfield Jr., Tampa will have a great safety duo. I do not like the plan to have Tykee Smith playing safety. He is strong covering slot receivers. If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it.
March 16th, 2025 at 11:08 am
Most of the sims i run, he wont be there at 19, he is there a few times though. Im just hooked on Emmanwori and Schwesinger, then next best at CB, DT, OG. Ive saved so many screenshots using these sims. Cant believe all these years i never used them. If Schwesinger is gone by the time we pick in the 2nd, a big ole NT like Kenneth Grant could work when V is taking a break.
March 16th, 2025 at 11:36 am
Trade up! Get him. No “discussion” needed!
March 16th, 2025 at 11:36 am
Defense needs an elite corners to be complete. Yeah this would be a nice addition but corner is needed badly
March 16th, 2025 at 11:39 am
Jihad Campbell is a football player. Period. Go Bucs!!!
March 16th, 2025 at 11:44 am
We are not one player away from the Superbowl and anyone believing that is very mistaken.
Putting too much importance on any one player would be a colossal mistake.
Our biggest weakness is easily CB and S. That’s where I would start.
Get a top tier CB or S in the first round. Then look for DE or LB in the second round.
There are several LB and S that can be had in the third and fourth rounds.
OL and WR after that. Trade to get more picks if possible.
Until Bowles is gone the first round and out is our ceiling.
March 16th, 2025 at 11:54 am
How about we draft some better looking cheerleaders? They must be the ugliest and heaviest lot in the NFL.
March 16th, 2025 at 11:55 am
I have confidence tha Licht will find us Corners in rounds 2-4, agree with Joe, getting campbell at 19 would be awesome. Heard Cowboys in the mix for him
March 16th, 2025 at 11:56 am
Hope he’s our pick if he is still there.
Still need an upgrade at CB1 and a backup Corner as well; then depth
March 16th, 2025 at 12:03 pm
Would be more shocked than over Braswell’s play next year if we enter the season with Dean as our CB1; talkin about very shaky soft coverage no pick injured ground
March 16th, 2025 at 12:12 pm
He not gonna be the draft pick. The Bucs will draft a ILB this year but not in the 1st round. Dennis and LVD are your starters.
March 16th, 2025 at 12:18 pm
I could see the Panthers or Falcones making him a “spite” pick…just to beat out the Bucs. He looks/sounds awfully good. Double FF Jeff’s hard-hitting analysis notwithstanding.
March 16th, 2025 at 12:30 pm
Joe … ‘So will the Bucs really bank on an injury-prone inside linebacker (Dennis) when it appears this team has a real shot to make a Super Bowl run?’
The way you phrased the question Joe tells me what answer you expected … ‘He11 No’. We entered last season with Britt as our starting MLB. Tells me a lot when Bowles says that when his replacement, Dennis, got hurt, his absence ‘hurt the defense’. Well duh; we’re down to our 3rd string MLB at that point and our defense is struggling. Whodathunkit? Our depth sucked.
And right now we’re no better off. Bucs NEED another bonafide starter to pair with LVD. And heaven help us if either one of those go down; our depth still sucks.
Rnd 1 is very precious. If Campbell is there, grab him. If not, grab a starter-capable CB or maybe a DT/NT or Edge IF there’s a really good one still available.
Rnd 2 is almost as precious, particularly for teams with very visible NEEDS like our Bucs. There only 1 ILB I’d consider in Rnd 2 (Carson Schwesinger, 6’2″ & 225 lbs running a 4.60 sec 40). I don’t like that he was a ‘1-year wonder’ but I can see him as a bonafide replacement for LVD in the future. Doesn’t solve our MLB problem, but the rest of the draft ILBs are slower than molasses IMO. I’d rather pick one up via FA.
March 16th, 2025 at 12:35 pm
I think drafting Jihad Campbell would be a great pick if he lasts till #19.
As for CB, I would look in house for cheaper alternatives, specifically: Bryce Hall
and/or Troy Hill.
March 16th, 2025 at 12:41 pm
I think, if a CB of equal value is available, that should be the pick. I mean, Dean, to me, is like not even having a starting CB cuz you just know he’s gonna be hurt half the time. Get a starting CB in round 1 and make Dean your overpaid CB3. More limited snaps may give him a chance to excel and keep him healthy.
March 16th, 2025 at 12:46 pm
Bucs a Jamel domino fall/replacement via late fa, trade, or draft;
LVD heir ILB via draft, and backup CB away from no roster holes.
Improve depth with day 3 picks and Bucs SB Ready.
But it all comes down to that Jamel Domino.
Replace he and Hayes and Secondary fully Improved
March 16th, 2025 at 12:47 pm
2 first round picks in 6 years on a ILB. oof
March 16th, 2025 at 12:50 pm
COULD DO BETTER
Wouldn’t be mad about the pick but talented MLB can be had in later rounds. I’d go with a CB.
That said, I’d draft Tetairoa McMillan if he’s there. He’s Evans 2.0. I’d love to have another 12 years of that.
March 16th, 2025 at 1:16 pm
Tetairoa McMillan more like the old receiver Ed McCaffrey than Mike Evans.
IMO.
Brian Thomas Jr last year was more the player I would have had replace ME. I think he will be a TD machine for years in the NFL.
March 16th, 2025 at 1:17 pm
Dean can replace Hayes on depth chart if he gets to stay.
Really hope Campbell is there at 19
March 16th, 2025 at 1:51 pm
@ geno
“19 seems a little high for a LB when some defensive lineman with the same potential or upside are on the board.
I would prefer the DL and then someone like Carson Schwesinger in our 2nd round.”
I agree.
This draft is IDL heavy especially in the first two rounds.
Kancey has already missed 8 games and Hall is on the last year of his rookie deal.
I would prefer Knight over Schwesinger though but either one will do just fine…
March 16th, 2025 at 2:16 pm
He make Jihaad on all of NFC. Much Jihaad on Falcons and Saints. Infidels!!!
March 16th, 2025 at 2:31 pm
maybe lich with his connections can trade up to cards campbell seems like perfect fit. if bucs stay put they will still get a solid player of need but this guy is right campbell might be gone. however there maybe other linebackers in draft that bucs have their eyes on that we arent talking about
March 16th, 2025 at 3:41 pm
Want Jihaad but atleast SirVocea Dennis can ball when healthy.
Dean/Hayes is a bigger hole
March 16th, 2025 at 4:10 pm
I can’t go for any inside linebacker in the first round. Ever. It’s tempting to rate a team’s needs and address the highest need in the first round, second highest need in the second, third in the third then go BPA through to the end but that is fan logic. After pass rush, ILB and CB the Bucs can be said to need more picks in this draft. The talent at the first round of this draft is mostly back half of the second/top of the third in most other drafts. It’s almost always a good idea to trade back out of the first but never more than it is this year. Normally I’d be upset with the Bucs parting with their first round pick but for every position available at 19 there are nearly equal options from picks 50-100 and beyond. The Bucs don’t have many picks this year and the second through fourth rounds are chock full of capable starters. Teddye Buchanan from Cal is an instinctive, ball-hawking natural blitzer who is a little undersized so he’ll be there in the fifth round. The top ten ILBs in the league last year were all playing at 225-230 lbs except for one who played at 245. This defense needs to play the pass better. Emmanwori and Buchanan are who I would target. Tykee Smith takes too many bad angles and fails as a tackler too often to be the safety he wants to be in 2025. Malaki Starks would be my next choice if Emmanwori is gone by 19 not because the Bucs need a safety more than any other position but because that is where value and opportunity to meet a need converge for this pick in this draft.
March 16th, 2025 at 4:10 pm
Deff get Campbell. Dennis hopefully can stay out the tub man both those guys could help pick up the slack for when LVD retires. I have to disagree with you Joe just slightly yes hasson helps with the lack of pressure of the edge but he can’t do it alone. We really need another proven vet there. If this is a run at the SB we cannot bank on hopes for yaya and brashwell
March 16th, 2025 at 5:00 pm
Joe,
I absolutely agree, and here is another way to illustrate you point.
Recently, I have been reading about the Bucs building from the bottom up with the argument that Dungy, with the available resources built a team with A level talent supplemented with a lot of C level talent. And, when Gruden came in, that first year, the team had the resources to replace enough C level talent with B level talent to put the Bucs over the top.
This year, by playing kick the cap hits to later years, Bowles has held onto the A level talent, and he seems to finally have the resources available to upgrade from much of the C level talent.
Last year, the DB’s had A/B starting talent although Whitehead seemed to be falling to C level, and they had a B level backup in Izien. After Izien went down, every time a starter missed a game, C level players had to start, and
Bowles, limited by the skill sets of the C level players, resorted to soft zones with results that are so often castigated. This year, the Bucs have made some improvements so far with Smith replacing Whitehead at Safety. There is still a need at Nickle CB – Izien could end up there, but another third round draft pick should like Smith could give the Bucs another A/B level starter there. And, look for more free agent DB upgrades from C to B after the cuts come following the draft.
With the addition of Reddick and the improvement of Hall and Kancey and Nelson, Edge and the Interior DL now has its A/B starters with room for some upgrades from some C level rotation/backup players. The second round is chock full of B players with potential to become A players at IDL and Edge. I hate giving up draft picks. But, the Bucs should explore moving up in the second round to pick a raw monster talent like Tyleik Williams, DT, Ohio State – 6’3″, 334#, 4.68 forty! Or, if they stay at pick 52, they should be able to take someone like raw DE/Edge Tuimoloau – 6’4″, 265#, 4.62 forty, ascendant DE/Edge Umanmielen – 6’4″, 244#, 4.72 forty, run stuffing NT/DT Alfred Collins – 6’6″, 332#, 4.95 forty – put him beside Vea in short yardage and goal line situations! Try pushing those tushes!
But, that leaves ILB. David is still an A level player in leadership and football acumen, but, physically, he is a B player. Dennis is a B/C player, and his availability makes the unceasingly criticized CB Dean look like Iron Man Cal Ripken! The free agent additions are B players at tops. That leaves the need for a true A player at the heart of the defense. And, the only player who projects as an A player at ILB in this year’s draft is Campbell. There is probably not another ILB prospect who should be taken before the third of fourth round.
The impact of an ILB with Campbell’s football smarts, speed, length, strength and motor extends beyond the position he plays. When you have a player with a high football IQ in the heart of the defense who is a bit faster, a bit stronger and a bit longer, it means that he is there to help when other players would not be. That means better gang tackling and fewer broken tackles which means less wear on the DB’s in run support which may buy Dean or Izien or Winfield another healthy game every season. And, he is a guy who can shift to the Edge at any time, launch up the middle from ILB on any snap, or sit in his short zone until it clears and then rocket in to smash QB. And, when a receiver tries to catch the ball in front of him, he can blow up the receiver and send the ball flying.
And, not forgetting the offense, there are some interesting WR prospects in the fourth round. Horton, 6’2″, 196#, 4.41 forty is not yet a complete receiver, but he is an immediate vertical threat who would probably push Palmer off of the roster while stretching the field for Evans and Godwin if the OL and OC can keep Baker upright for a couple of second – play action?!!! Bryant – 6’2″, 204#, 4.62 forty – lacks the top end speed of Horton, but moves the chains and scores with superior route tree, superior route running, superior red zone play and fierce jump ball competition catching two-thirds of jump balls.
Over all, ILB is the only position without a single level player. Fix that with Campbell, and upgrade the C’s to B’s a la Gruden 2001, and Licht and Bowles should finally have the kind of team they have been trying to build that will let Bowles play the kind of D that brought a new species of misery to the life of Patrick Mahomes on February 7, 2021!
March 16th, 2025 at 5:35 pm
This article just reminds me how badly Devin White screwed things up for the long term roster planning of this team.
I have a gut feeling Jihaad Campbell isn’t going to be the pick. Just doesn’t feel right. Licht just doesn’t pigeon hole himself into a pick like this. It’s too obvious.
March 16th, 2025 at 6:55 pm
Buckle up for more. Draft is over a month away. Don’t blame Joe. He doesn’t set the NFL calendar.
March 16th, 2025 at 8:18 pm
@ toopanca
this is too much algebra for a football board
March 17th, 2025 at 1:34 am
help
March 17th, 2025 at 1:36 am
I am nervous with Jihad and his avg instincts. Though I dont care to draft dbs early, Jahdae Barron may be a special exception..i would consider at 19
March 17th, 2025 at 6:56 am
We won the SB when White had his head on straight, and owned the middle of the field. Since he flamed out, the middle of our D hasn’t been the same. Some of the greatest defenses of all time have had great LBs. Us with Brooks, Hardy, Lewis, back to the days of Singletary. We are so devoid of talent there right now. David 35, 5th round pick Dennis who can’t make a training camp let alone season, who else? Dennis has shown nothing to make penciling him in as a starter. We better draft a MLB before the 4th round. We better come out of this draft with one starting LB, and another rookie to develop, and compete. Corner, another DT. Edge rusher, OLB is actually last on my draft list.
March 17th, 2025 at 8:18 am
Dean has lacked aggressiveness so as not to get hurt. He still gets hurt. With a larger salary will he be motivated? I think not. We really need to set him free and see how anxious other teams are to sign him.