Mike Tannenbaum Joins Chorus Singing Jihaad Campbell To The Bucs
March 26th, 2025
Alabama ILB Jihaad Campbell.
The only reason Joe is posting the following is because it comes from a former NFL general manager and a high-ranking limb of the Bill Parcells tree, on which Bucs coach Todd Bowles has a branch as well.
Mike Tannenbaum, the former Jets GM who worked in the front office of the Dolphins when Parcells ran their show, decided to do a mock draft. Whoopee! But Joe puts credence in this mock because, again, Tannenbaum has a long resume and worked with Parcells.
Since Tannenbaum tries luring NFL teams to farm out their personnel work to him via his 33rd Team outfit, Joe has a hunch Tannenbaum won’t put out complete BS as he wants work (read: revenue).
(Joe is going to start referring to mock drafts from non-NFL insiders that are published over a week before the draft as “schlock drafts,” because that’s what they are: schlock. There is no need to try to play war games with the draft like you’re preparing for the Battle of Midway. Real, knowledgeable football people don’t have 20 mock/schlock drafts each spring.)
Even though it was learned that stud Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell had surgery to repair a torn shoulder labrum after a mysterious injury, a lot of folks are not dissuaded. Tannenbaum also believes Bowles and the Bucs will still draft him at No. 19.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Jihaad Campbell, LB, AlabamaI thought about Michigan tight end Colston Loveland. I also scanned the offensive line and cornerback boards. But re-signing 35-year-old Lavonte David doesn’t completely satisfy the linebacker need, and Campbell is a potential star. He fits what Todd Bowles looks for on defense — tough, instinctive, productive and durable. Campbell is a classic three-down ‘backer who can cover, blitz and tackle against the run. I love his size (6-3, 235 pounds), too. And Campbell had 112 tackles and five sacks last season. Sign me up.
Joe has zero idea why anyone would think the Bucs would draft an offensive lineman at No. 19. The Bucs have one of the best offensive lines in the game. They’re all young and all signed and all coming back.
Now with the return of the second-most popular backup on the team (second only to Kyle Trask), this Sua Opeta, where is exactly the need for an offensive lineman to be drafted so high — unless Tannenbaum knows something the rest of us don’t (trade winds blowing?).
Joe believes Bucs’ trainers will influence whether the Bucs draft Campbell at No. 19. How long will he be on the shelf post-surgery?
For a rookie to miss all spring/summer workouts and underwear football and possibly training camp, that’s usually means a wash of a rookie season.
Yes, of course, the Bucs need an inside linebacker. More important, they need an inside linebacker on the field, not in street clothes wearing the dreaded floppy hat.
March 26th, 2025 at 12:16 am
Much easier to find value at ILB in rounds 2-5 than it is to find edge and CB.
March 26th, 2025 at 12:26 am
While I do agree with quite a bit with you Joe here I don’t. Him I street cloths or not you really can’t pass up on this kind of talent. It’s a position of need now and the future and Campbell fills that. You got walker and SVD. If they draft Campbell then these guys can fill in till Campbell is ready. If and it’s a big if but if hasson wrecks havoc like we all want then defense will make a huge improvement in that alone.
March 26th, 2025 at 12:42 am
We like to draft the injured players for some reason.
March 26th, 2025 at 12:47 am
I was much more on board with this pick before the shoulder thing. I don’t necessarily disagree with the people saying better value taking an ILB rounds 2-5 either. If Jihaad is deemed the guy at 19 by Licht and our scouts… hey, I’m happy.
Bucky Brooks also had Campbell to the Bucs at 19 in his mock published today. Interestingly enough, a ton of highly rated prospects were still on the board…
CB – Will Johnson
WR – T. McMillan
OLB/Edge – Ezeriraku & Mykel Williams
S – Starks
That would be a huge pickle to me, but I’m not a Bucs scout. Johnson and McMillan would seem to present the best value in that scenario.
March 26th, 2025 at 12:49 am
I still like Campbell, but man, his draft stock is going a little down too much for me. I want to Emman this, then get a CB and BIG DT…some trades i guess if it plays out right and we land him in the 2nd….never know. Im still liking my Schwesinger but hes going early 2nd.
March 26th, 2025 at 12:57 am
Tony
A few examples might be needed to prove your point.
Joe, what did Miami do from 2015-2018? Who did tannebaum draft with the jets 06-12? His first 2 drafts had some big hits, but subsequently sucked. If he really thinks the Bucs would consider an OL in the 1st round, then I say Schlock Draft! I’ll just assume “scanned” the offensive line meant he assessed and passed on the decision.
March 26th, 2025 at 1:08 am
LOL! 🙂
March 26th, 2025 at 1:11 am
Brian in St Pete Says:
March 26th, 2025 at 12:16 am
Much easier to find value at ILB in rounds 2-5 than it is to find edge and CB.
^^^^^^^
I agree.
March 26th, 2025 at 1:19 am
We’re a contender we need our first round pick on the field game 1.
March 26th, 2025 at 1:26 am
Stay away…bells & fire alarms with an bad shoulder issue for an hard hitting LB..can y’all say Bozwell
March 26th, 2025 at 1:29 am
Take Donovan Ezeraku (sp?) in Rd1, Schwesinger (LB from UCLA, (look him up) in RD2, then go CB, S or WR, wherever you get the best value.
March 26th, 2025 at 1:36 am
Take the 6’3″ psychology major safety Nick Emmanwori SC..tough as nails…address the secondary 1st…
March 26th, 2025 at 1:47 am
Agree Emmanwori is huge for a safety and fast.
Can likely move to inside linebacker on passing downs and allows Tykee to stay in the slot.
Can get IlB in rounds 2 through 4.
Only other player I would take sooner would be if one of the 2 top edge rushers in Green or Ezeraiku are there.
March 26th, 2025 at 2:54 am
I WAS gung ho on Campbell before the injury. But now I am hoping they go with the E-Man if he is there at #19. Campbell could do us no good if he is not on the field and it sounds like the shoulder is going to keep him off for a while. Not someone you would risk a 1st round pick on. As I said before who says E-Man would HAVE to play safety? He is athletic enough to where he can be groomed for another position if need be. Just sayin’.
March 26th, 2025 at 2:57 am
I remember last year Jason was saying that if there’s a guy that keeps getting linked to them that usually it’s because of a smokescreen. Like Barton got linked one time and they were like uh oh. So the fact Campbell keeps getting linked makes me think that while he may be on the list, he’s not going to be their defacto #1 guy on their board. Of course I could be wrong, but it’s stuck with me since he said it.
March 26th, 2025 at 3:23 am
The fact that the Bucs re-signed LVD but not Britt or Russell, says a lot. We now have LVD, Dennis, Grier, Jennings and newly-signed Anthony Walker as our ILBs. Bucs are almost surely gonna draft someone because I’m only seeing one bonafide starter in that group: LVD.
We still MIGHT draft Campbell, but he won’t help get us to this year’s Super Bowl. By the time he’s ready for full-time action at MLB, we’ll have had to find a MLB to keep us in contention; the position’s too important in our defense to try to scheme around until Campbell’s ready.
I don’t know if Anthony Walker can be ‘THE GUY’, but he’ll certainly get a crack at starting again. And we might look at bringing on another seasoned LB vet for this year at least. We’ve got options IOW. And yes, that includes re-signing Devin White and trying to ‘rehabilitate him’ to play in this defense.
March 26th, 2025 at 3:25 am
Jason knows, and we should be happy he’s looking at Mason Singleton from North Dakota State.
March 26th, 2025 at 3:59 am
If he’s injured- he’s a Buccaneer man.
March 26th, 2025 at 5:02 am
The ideal situation would be to bring in a(nother) known playmaker at ILB/MLB via free agency.
That would put us in a much better position to go BPA in the draft and not have to worry about position of need.
I haven’t seen enough tape on Anthony Walker, although he and LaVonte apparently know each other and train together during the off season. That bodes well for Walker and the team. as far as quickly getting Anthony up to speed.
Like many others, I was onboard with Jihaad Campbell until I heard about the shoulder injury. Now I’m not so sure.
ILB and CB are going to be question marks/needs going into 2026. LaVonte may hang up his cleats after this season. We don’t know if Hassan will stay or be offered a contract, and I expect Jamel to be gone as well (if he isn’t cut before the start of this season).
That makes both positions a priority in the draft for me. And if we draft at both of those positions in the top 2 rounds, we need those players able to take the field starting in week one.
I’m leaning in the direction of passing on Jihaad Campbell, as good as he’s going to be once he recovers from the surgery.
March 26th, 2025 at 5:33 am
If it was just a torn Labrum he should be ready for camp, certainly the season. I think the Bucs throw some people a curve, and if Golden is there the receiver from Texas, that’s our pick. Adding a talented receiver with 4.3 speed would take our offense to a whole nother level. Don’t be surprised.
March 26th, 2025 at 7:03 am
We’ve already been told there’s a good chance Chris Godwin most likely not ready for the start of the season. It’s been widely reported that Campbell will need 8 months to recover. So our #1 FA signing and our #1 draft pick could start the season on the shelf and this is a good thing?
March 26th, 2025 at 7:03 am
Labrum surgery. At least a year before the guy is able to have an impact. Pass.
March 26th, 2025 at 7:21 am
Devin White 2.0
March 26th, 2025 at 7:40 am
No! Loser teams pick off ball LB’s with their 1st pick.
March 26th, 2025 at 7:44 am
The more I read , the more I believe we don’t take Campbell at all , he wouldn’t get a ton of playing time playing behind David and now that injury I think we pass on him .Bucs are in Win now mode our SB window is open. I believe we’re going DE,IDL,CB . Probably IDL Licht Loves the O and D Lineman .
March 26th, 2025 at 7:47 am
Just add EJ Speed after the Draft and all of a sudden our LB room loos really good
March 26th, 2025 at 9:11 am
Can’t be that durable if he’s injured now!? Draft a healthy BPA that meets the teams weaknesses!
March 26th, 2025 at 9:55 am
Emmanwori should be the one. Shoulders are tricky and many times never heal the right way. Emmanwori is a unique talent. Pretty sure Licht knows this and is intrigued. With Winfield bouncing back, Bucs will have top safety duo in NFL for many years. The only defensive player in this draft better would be Abdul Carter and he will be gone to the Browns with #2 pick.
March 26th, 2025 at 10:18 am
The Titans drafted Jeffrey Simmons for future potential and he is a Pro Bowler. The Bucs have enough with a healthy Dennis, LVD, Walker and don’t forget Deion Jones to hold it down while our future middle field defender gets ready to play. We know injuries will happen and if he is the BPA when the Bucs pick, not that it matters, but I am all in.
March 26th, 2025 at 10:44 am
If Jahdae Barron is on the board at #19, the Bucs will sprint to the podium to pick him. I’m marking it down in “red pen”.
March 26th, 2025 at 11:44 am
No to our #1 pick starting with a major injury. Some of our draft picks will flame out in training camp due to injuries. Don’t start off with an injured player. DB or edge. A WR or TE would really blow some of our fans minds but could be really good pick. I’m tired of seeing rooks like Braswell never see the light of day. Don’t start of with one.
March 26th, 2025 at 12:51 pm
I would like to see them draft a CB in the first cuz everyone knows dean is going to get injured and this will be his last season with the bucs even beyond that
March 26th, 2025 at 2:41 pm
We’re probably picking Ezeiruaku or Starks from what I’m hearing
March 26th, 2025 at 7:46 pm
Chris and if we draft Campbell, two key contributors to miss early reps, chemistry, etc. And.. a torn labrum for a LB, pass. There is a lot of talent the 19th pick. Egbuka, Scourton, Barron, Ezeiruaka, Loveland, Pearce to name a few. Egbuka is a need. Mike always has hammy issues, is getting older, Chris isn’t healthy and we cant invest 40 plus into two wr much longer. Egbuka can plain and outside. Scourton is a safe pick. He was a monster when he was on a bad Purdue team a couple of years ago. Loveland is playmaker TE. I’m not as high on Otton as some. I think he peaked.
March 27th, 2025 at 10:01 pm
These drafts are made for mocking and mocking’s what I do… to hacks who are perusing the OL talent for the Bucs to waste their pick on in the first round. Shoulder issues or no Campbell will likely be gone by pick 19 and that makes me a happy Bucs fan for three reasons:
1- Don’t draft ILBs in the first round in any draft even if the roster is short on them. The highest paid, highest performing and highest PFF rated ILBs besides (sometimes) Micah Parsons came from rounds 4-6.
2- Don’t risk/waste a first rounder on a player fresh off a surgeon’s operating table.
3- Jeffrey Bassa and Teddye Buchanan are both profoundly talented ILBs available later. Both are excellent vs the run and naturally talented blitzers. I’d put Bassa on the edge on third down just like folks are talking about doing with Campbell and I promise you he is going to eat as much if not more. They are both converted safeties who handle vertical threats and shifty receivers with ease. The Bucs have ILBs but each of them besides David and the man everyone, including Bucs fans forget about, Deion Jones is a travesty in man coverage. Dennis looks like a stud 2 down ILB (what round did he come from?) but his man and zone coverage skills are basically non-existent. The Bucs need a replacement for David at some point but what they need right now, realistically is a dime ILB who can develop into a three down player. I hope to see David and Deion Jones starting in the middle of the Bucs defense in 2025 and hopefully a little beyond. Jones balled-out against the Comanches in that playoff loss. Everyone hypes those two Bucs goal line stands from that game but no one seems to recognize that the prime difference-maker on the Bucs defense in those two series was Jones. Watch his PBU on the first denial of endzone access and tell me that isn’t who you want starting in the middle with David week 1. I’m not knocking Campbell. The Bucs have more than we are acknowledging at ILB for 2025.