Matt Miller: Bucs Should Fill Their Biggest Need And Select Jihaad Campbell
April 20th, 2025
Pondering No. 19 pick.
It’s here! It’s draft week!
Finally, finally, finally Joe can see the light at the end of the tunnel of the constant onslaught and deluge of mock drafts and schlock drafts and weirdo drafts because we must keep feeding the best, but we’re out of fresh ideas to spin the draft.
You know what Joe is talking about: Who teams should pick, who teams will pick, who are the best fits, which is the best ice cream each pick likes, best selections based on their girlfriends… and on… and on… and on… and on… Dudes yack up more mocks than they brush their teeth. It gets nauseating, truly.
(There is zero reason the NFL cannot move up the draft at least two weeks. It’s to the point now people aren’t excited about the draft, they’re weary over it, run down, exhausted, relieved.)
One of the worst culprits with this is Matt Miller of BSPN. Joe will spare the details but Joe is going to give the guy credit here.
Miller, like Daniel Jeremiah of NFL Network, has consistently suggested the Bucs will tackle their biggest need at No. 19. Miller hasn’t yet moved off the spot, unlike Jeremiah.
(But Miller still has five days to crap out more mocks, so give him a chance).
Miller typed once again that Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht will throw caution to the wind over a shoulder surgery in February and select Alabama beast Jihaad Campbell on Thursday night.
Lavonte David is 35 years old and there’s no clear successor on the roster. Campbell is a three-down wrecking ball with pass-rush ability that makes him an added threat on third downs.
Miller’s logic is sound. Of course, there are two wild cards at play here and none of us has access to the intel.
How bad is Campbell’s shoulder and when will he get back on a practice field? Additionally, how bad off is SirVocea Dennis’ shoulder after he had surgery, as well? So far, Dennis, while he has flashed, has been brittle in his two short years with the Bucs.
Last thing the Bucs need is for two inside linebackers to have bum shoulders.
If Campbell checks out and can hit a practice field by the time underwear football practices begin, then yeah, Joe could see the Bucs selecting him.
If it is unknown how Campbell’s rehab is going, Joe guesses it would be hard for Licht to justify a first-round pick on the guy.
April 20th, 2025 at 8:13 am
Shoulders are tricky injuries. Campbell may not be able to play until regular season starts. I’ve seen mock drafts where MI DT Kenneth Grant is on the board at #19. If he’s there, how do we not take him?
April 20th, 2025 at 8:25 am
I wonder how much access coaches and GMs can get on these injuries.
April 20th, 2025 at 8:27 am
The Bucs should pick up one of the top three ILBs but I don’t like picking one at 19.
April 20th, 2025 at 8:30 am
Ezeirakua is the obvious and correct choice for a team that is desperately searching for a quality Edge. Do you really want to put all your eggs in one basket(could not resist) with Reddick who is coming off a year that makes JTS look All Pro. Ezeirakua had 16.5 Sacks and 19.5 Tackles for Loss giving one all the assurance you want for immediate production. Nothing makes your secondary look better than a fierce pass rush. Happy Easter to all.
April 20th, 2025 at 8:39 am
I think it’s simple. If he’s healthy take him , if he ain’t then don’t.
April 20th, 2025 at 8:46 am
I was wanting him for a while and def fills the need. You gotta replace both of your ILB’s soon. One this year hopefully and time is unfortunately coming for Mr. Under appreciated. While Dennis showed some stuff while healthy for a few games, he’s nowhere close to a given. So you gotta start filling that this Off-season.
But in your own opinion Joe(s), does his injury stuff have you worried enough or spooked where you wouldn’t risk a 1st rounder on him?
Because if you are comfortable with him knowing more inside stuff than us fans, than I’m all about that pick
April 20th, 2025 at 8:49 am
He wouldn’t be playing much this year in any event. Needs to be ready for NEXT year, when Lavante is presumably gone
April 20th, 2025 at 8:52 am
Unless Licht is absolutely sure Campbell’s shoulder will be good to go by training camp, grab Emmanwori (S) at 19. Pick up a ILB in Round 2 or 3. Without question Campbell is going to be a star, but we need a star in Week 1, not in 2026. Just a few missing pieces to fill and we’re SB bound. GO BUCS!!
April 20th, 2025 at 8:55 am
Been, what do you mean he won’t be playing much this year. You his doctor or the Bucs DC? If they take him at 19 he will be ready to go at the start of the season. They will not take him at 19 and not start him. Dennis is the one who won’t start this year if they draft him.
April 20th, 2025 at 9:14 am
I’m with the Joe’s on this one – Campbell’s mysterious shoulder injury has me spooked. I’d rather go with a beastly DT or CB. Maybe grab the best DT available and then trade J. Dean and move up for a CB.
April 20th, 2025 at 9:14 am
We HAVE 2 starting ILB’s, at best (absent injuries) he’d get a few snaps per game
April 20th, 2025 at 9:16 am
Potential employers have full access to a future players health both mental and physical if they want to be drafted. In this game you would have to and the player has to sign off on the HIPPA before hand if they want a shot, I’m assuming. May even be a requirement to enter the draft to make full disclosure, besides it was the Cowboys Dr. who did his surgery, supposedly one of the best in the business. If his shoulder is good I think he’s be a good pick but……
So I believe D-line is the way to go.
April 20th, 2025 at 9:18 am
No! Bolster the IDL. We need another mammoth up front. Take care of that with the first and draft BPA for corner safety LB and DE with the rest of your picks.
April 20th, 2025 at 9:47 am
If beis the real deal, get him!
I don’t really care if he plays this year or not. He will replace David next year. Let him lead the system and bring the hammer when he is ready.
We have Reddick to improve the whole DLine and db’s. More pressure is coming unlike last year.
LFG! In Licht We Trust!!!
April 20th, 2025 at 9:48 am
He is
April 20th, 2025 at 9:57 am
Noah Spence ended his career as a Bucs after a few short years due to a shoulder injury. Not sure if the Bucs would like to repeat this history.
April 20th, 2025 at 10:04 am
Drafting an injured linebacker first round is crazy.. especially when you have a linebacker that’s brittle and a linebacker that’s old. That would be 3 linebackers u might have to replace the following year. I rather a 400 pound d tackle over a linebacker with shoulder injury round 1 thru 3
April 20th, 2025 at 10:08 am
The Bucs perceived need at ILB has loomed large for a few years and life as a Bucs fan after Lavonte David retires is no fun to think about but the shallow justification of this pick as the remedy to these stresses is a logical fallacy whether Campbell’s injury will impact his performance or not. David is irreplaceable so its futile to address his eventual departure with an injured talent at 19 in 2025 with Deion Jones, Dennis and Anthony Walker on the roster and KJ Britt gone. The ILB situation has already been addressed with a hedging bets approach which is a wiser and more appropriate approach to the cluster of issues in the middle of the Bucs defense.
The Bucs needed to stop thinking KJ Britt could be on the field on passing downs. They obviously have done so. Bringing in proven pass defense ace Deion Jones looks to be an excellent short term upgrade but the Bucs can do well to further remedy this issue by drafting Teddye Buchanan in round four or five.
I’m eager to see David, Walker, Dennis and Jones getting as many snaps at the second lowest valued defensive positioion as possible for the next few years. Drafting Buchanan, Campbell or any other ILB is not going to fill the void David eventually will leave but thats okay. The Bucs will have to adjust their scheme to the personnel they have at that point and in the mean time can focus on addressing the reason they lost the games they most needed to win in 2024 (both Falcons losses and the playoff loss to the Commanches) – their slutty pass defense.
I try not frame my roster thinking with a hierarchy of perceived needs to be addressed with high draft picks. Its no where near that simple. I look at all the things I want and don’t want to see on the field and do a thorough self-scout. Then I look at all the players on the roster. Then I seek to add from the waiver wire (Deion Jones,) free agency (Anthony Walker,) and the draft subtracting as upgrades are secured. The Bucs aren’t needy but there are always tons of opportunities to improve.
April 20th, 2025 at 10:11 am
I’d be good with either of the top DTs or Ezeiruaku—just keep adding to the DL.
April 20th, 2025 at 10:17 am
Agree 100%. I trust them to do what’s right in the draft, but my perspective is it is the biggest need. They have an on the verge of retiring LVD and often injured SIRV
Jihaad is an absolute stud. Draft him if available
April 20th, 2025 at 10:20 am
Ok dead horse beaters, I am not the one putting out the money but I have to say that the Bucs, in the last few years, have seen to many injuries. Let’s say two names Tucker in his first year and,: our LB that they all love and have high hopes for. These things hurt the chances of making the Superbowl along with all the other injuries throughout the season, we were like that duck with a lot of missing wing feathers, he can’t really fly. Go Bucs!!!
April 20th, 2025 at 10:37 am
@PSL Bob, I absolutely agree with your 1a and 1b picks, but fall more into Ira’s camp that the team has a solid roster and does not have to have a day 1 STAR. I’m perfectly content with a rookie being a rookie and turning it on mid-season as the glass men (Dean, Dennis, AWJ…) start chipping away. One trick ponies start with a flash, get figured, and still got more to prove. I feel Campbell, when ready to go, will provide years of consistently high service. Let’s face it, Dennis is on the AWJ meal plan; he’ll have a great season over the next 2 yrs, and then back to the ice tub once he gets paid. Emmanwori, I love this guys size, versatility, and x-factor. His is a Swiss army knife for the middle to back end.
April 20th, 2025 at 10:40 am
Shoulder injuries linger. For years. Ask Whitehead.
Ask JPP. Ask Simeon Rice.
Pass on Jihad. Not needed. We also lost a top 10 pick once on an ILB. We can’t afford to invest a 2nd 1st round pick on an ILB.
We lost a 1st round pick on JTS. And we used a 2nd round pick on Braswell.
We can’t afford another top pick on an OLB.
Draft for next seasons needs.
Vea and Hall will be in their final year. Kancey will be in his 3rd year of a 4 year rookie contract.
Draft a DE, NT or DT.
Hall needs to be challenged.
Vea sits half the snaps.
Kancey has missed a lot of games.
Gaines is small and old. And slow.
We need 2 more IDL!
And we need 2-3 corners.
ILB is stacked with David, Walker, Deion Jones and Dennis.
I guarantee there is a freak ILB that we could find in the 5th or 6th or 7th or even as an UFA.
ILB? In the first?
No thanks!!!!
April 20th, 2025 at 10:43 am
Watch the Cambell vs Michigan video. Cambell made 1 play the whole game. I don’t consider a PLAY when no one is blocking you. I’d pass on Cambell and go for that pass rusher that Jeremiah likes. Cambell like so many others is looked at with only Highlights not the whole games. Watch the vs videos.
April 20th, 2025 at 10:55 am
Hopein1
Largely agree with your post. Whatever it’s well thought out. If I had any difference it might be that the Bucs are replacing LVD. As you correctly point out he’s HOF material and you can’t draft those at any position without some luck.
I think the guy the Bucs failed to replace was DW45. He had some issues but his speed was something to behold. He was NEVER going to be LVD but he obviously had talent and played like a madman during the SB year. His head went South and that’s just too bad.
I like the way you think out your approach to the draft.
April 20th, 2025 at 10:56 am
FrontFour … ‘I’ve seen mock drafts where MI DT Kenneth Grant is on the board at #19. If he’s there, how do we not take him?’
Mac … ‘Bolster the IDL. We need another mammoth up front.’
Yea verily. Like Joe wrote yesterday … we need ‘a sasquatch like Kenneth Grant’.
April 20th, 2025 at 10:57 am
Q. What is the strength of the draft?
A. According to most pundits, it is DT
So go with the strength of the draft and grab a DT in the first round.
An injured ILB who will be unavailable for much of the year is not going to help much this year.
April 20th, 2025 at 11:22 am
ChiBuc, I concur on your trade-back scenario to get get extra picks, particularly on Day 2. I was just making the point that I’d rather get a Day 1 starter if we stick with Pick 19 rather than someone that’s a big question mark. Lot of speculation and opinions going on now here at Buc Nation. I have a feeling Licht and Bowles know exactly what they need to do!
April 20th, 2025 at 11:43 am
ILB is not our greatest need. We have David, Walker Jr., Ramerez, and Dion Jones. At safety, other than AWJ, there’s no one I feel comfortable with starting there. In rounds 1-3 I would draft S, DE, DT,
April 20th, 2025 at 11:53 am
I drink, therefore I spam.
April 20th, 2025 at 12:23 pm
Beeej Says:
April 20th, 2025 at 8:49 am
He wouldn’t be playing much this year in any event. Needs to be ready for NEXT year, when Lavante is presumably gone
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Agreed. He’ll have plenty of time to heal and learn. (if the starters stay healthy)
April 20th, 2025 at 1:06 pm
I hope the Bucs take that big fast safety. Or a big narly dt, or that big tall wr, , or trade down if none of those guys are available. Dont take an injured guy with a bad shoulder with your first pick.
April 20th, 2025 at 1:28 pm
stpetebucsfan- I always appreciate the depth of your perspectives. Thank you for that. And you’re right about Devin White- if his favorite horse hadn’t dropped dead of heat stroke while pregnant (common with horses apparently- he was not negligent in any way) or whatever turned him from the phenom he was in the most recent Superbowl year to whatever he has been since none of those conversations or declarations would be necessary. Licht and Co. are truly doing a great job. Bowles saw what he wanted to see in Britt rather than what is and that happens. I’m also grateful Licht and Co. got him to own up to it and got right to work fixing it. Last summer Bowles was hyping Britt as “the leader of the defense” and kept tooting that horn into the season until he was forced to acknowledge Britt as the cause of certain defensive failures because there was no other way of explaing the effects once the Bucs hit their bye week.
Last year the change I most wanted to see was improvement of the worst in the NFL two years straight run game. Coen+Barton+Irving delivered not just improvement but dominance and Licht was the architect of that crucial change. This year its the slutty pass defense I would like to see change. Bowles has been shocking candid this offseason about the whys that needed to be fixed to get it where it needs to be. That candor+pass rush+a true dime linebacker, I’m talking a third down specialist, not the heir to David’s throne is all I’d like and all it will take. If Dean gets moved for a pick and replaced with a vicious ballhawk who can play press man that would also be nice to see.
I’d also like to see fat guy touchdowns in 2025. Lots of fat guy touchdowns. Its my selfish fan wish. The Bucs are best in the league on third down so I can’t say the Bucs need JJ Pegues and his short yardage skillset but he is a single player that could be part of the change equations I hope to see on both sides of the ball. Dynamic DL weapon and an offensive presence that could make the Bucs offense the most entertaining in the NFL. That is so much more valuable that “that really big one” or “that really fast one” folks keep yodelling for to cure all that ails the Bucs.
It is equations that can be counted on to render results not one new player.
April 20th, 2025 at 1:52 pm
Matt Miller was the worst GM of my lifetime, possibly.
April 20th, 2025 at 2:05 pm
Look, I’m not saying I wouldn’t mind a Walker, Graham, or Green if they’re sitting there or close enough to trade up and grab without too much capital, but the first 2 will be long gone. Green is a probability and I think he can contribute immediately. But if they’re gone Campbell/Emmanwori would help clean up a lot of the defensive slop we witnessed last year. I also feel if your top pick isnt there, you could possibly trade back for Oregon’s Harmon. I know a lotta folks are pushing Grant, but I get a lot of MI in my neck of the woods and he is inconsistent. Idk, or can’t tell, if he is a loafer or just a low football IQ, but he looks lost regularly.
April 20th, 2025 at 2:19 pm
The two Devins I seem to remember were can’t miss prospects. Mid linebacker at number 1 with surgical issues I think not.
April 20th, 2025 at 2:36 pm
Derwin James had a meniscus tear and refused a private workout with Tampa in the ’18 draft, and I believe that’s one of the reasons they settled on Vita Vea, after moving from pick 7 to 12. So maybe they do pass on Campbell. As mentioned, having 2 potentially LBs that are China dolls(?)… there’s no denying we need an LVD successor, but that’s a really big gamble knowing there are healthy prospects sitting at 19 with no injury issues. Licht and company are going to want to know what they’re getting into with Campbell, just like James. So, why would JL handle this any differently? It’s going to be a tough decision, no doubt.
April 20th, 2025 at 2:42 pm
Cambell injured = NO.
He was not even the best linebacker on Alabama’s defense last year. Jihaad is a good athletic defensive player. He will probably have a nice NFL career. I like SEC speed & battle proven experience.
There are Better LBs in next year’s draft.
Just to name a few
Anthony Hill Texas (113 Tackles 8 sacks )
Deontae Lawson Alabama ( Jihaad’s more instinctually sound teammate)
Harold Perkins LSU (Faster , more sacks & better pass coverage )
Yes the BUCS need to continue to add to the ILB position. Yet there are better prospects at higher positions of need (DL/Edge & CB ) in this years draft that should be targeted before ILB.
If somehow Jihaad was our 3rd pick after a difference making DL & DB were already secured that would be great. With his shoulder injury/surgery it’s hard for me to understand why we are even talking about this guy with our 1st pick?
Click bait topic to fill the time counting down to Draft Day , guess it is entertaining ….here I am
GO BUCS!
April 20th, 2025 at 3:54 pm
I like the Campbell pick. Takes care of some huge needs 1st LVD needs a running mate look how the Bucs did when white stepped on the scene. Campbell will whole lot of bellyaching when people don’t know the facts. 2 when LVD retires there will be 2 major holes if we don’t select Campbell. SVD has bin in the league for 2 seasons and hasn’t stayed healthy. Again white came in and 2 seasons later SB lol it’s the truth. We havnt drafted very good and talented DBs from round 2 and beyond. Jason can do it again. Last time we took a DB in the 1st look what happened with Hargreaves I will say tho Hargreaves was developed by Bowles who is deff one of the best at developing DBs he was damaged good by time Arians and Bowles showed up.
April 20th, 2025 at 5:07 pm
If Campbell needed shoulder stabilization surgery, he likely would have had it within days of leaving the ReliaQuest Bowl with a shoulder injury on December 31st. With an eight month recovery, he would have been playing by the beginning of September.
Instead, Campbell opted out of the Combine exercises that carried the greatest risk of worsening a lesser shoulder injury while generally looking fabulous and moving without any obvious shoulder issues. So, it seems likely that he had a lesser shoulder procedure and could be playing three months later in June.
If the Bucs have real interest in Campbell at #19, which they should, then they surely know or are trying to find out the details. And, it seems very likely that Campbell and his representatives would be forthcoming with medical reports if he will be good to go when summer rolls around in late June.
If Campbell and his representatives are not forthcoming with a Bucs team that has Lavonte David to offer as a mentor and another shot at the playoffs likely awaiting them, then they are idiots, and he doesn’t strike me as any kind of idiot.
April 20th, 2025 at 7:29 pm
My guess is that the people who don’t think Outside Cornerback is the biggest need didn’t watch the CB sh!tshow last year. I understand that the Bucs could get one in the 2nd Round, but I believe that Outside CB is the biggest need.
April 20th, 2025 at 10:46 pm
What’s your line Joe? The best ability is availability! And we need out 1st round pick on opening day.
I heard it so I looked it up and I saw Jihaad Campbell was a 5 star edge rusher then Alabama converted him to inside linebacker what if the dude needs development time at this level.