Jihaad Campbell - LB - Alabama

Top LB in the draft...a playmaker with size (6'3") and speed (4.5). Can rush the passer from the edge, up the middle, anywhere. Gets to his target quick. Had a great Combine - was one of Jeremiah's Top 12 standout performers from the Combine.

With Greenlaw gone, Campbell could be a consideration perhaps in trading back as 11 may be too high. Having again two playmaking LBs in pairing Campbell with Warner would be formidable, with the added benefit of Campbell giving this D more pass rushing here and there.

From Jeremiah:

"Campbell is a tall, rangy and explosive linebacker. He was recruited to Alabama as an edge rusher but initially moved to linebacker because of the Crimson Tide's depth on the edges (SEE: Will Anderson Jr. and Dallas Turner, among others). This past season, he played both off the ball and on the edge. As an off-ball linebacker, he doesn't possess elite instincts but offers excellent speed and physicality. He can range sideline to sideline and flashes the ability to thump off blockers and collect tackles on inside runs. He displays exciting tools in his pass-rush opportunities off the edge. He can burst/bend and finish. He also grew more comfortable in coverage throughout the 2024 season. He anticipates routes and positions himself to make plays on the ball. Overall, Campbell expands the playbook for defensive coordinators and his best football is ahead of him."

From PFF:

"Off-ball linebacker is one of the most challenging positions in the NFL, requiring the ability to take on and shed offensive linemen while also excelling in coverage. Jihaad Campbell not only does both at a high level, but he also brings additional value as a pass rusher from multiple alignments. In 2024, he posted a 13.1% pass-rush win rate, graded positively on 17.1% of run plays, and forced incompletions on 13.3% of targets while recording 22 coverage stops. That kind of three-phase impact is rare for linebackers."

I still have PTSD from Reuben froster

I'm down if we trade back and add a 2nd or 3rd.

Originally posted by LottDMontanaO:
Top LB in the draft...a playmaker with size (6'3") and speed (4.5). Can rush the passer from the edge, up the middle, anywhere. Gets to his target quick. Had a great Combine - was one of Jeremiah's Top 12 standout performers from the Combine.

With Greenlaw gone, Campbell could be a consideration perhaps in trading back as 11 may be too high. Having again two playmaking LBs in pairing Campbell with Warner would be formidable, with the added benefit of Campbell giving this D more pass rushing here and there.

From Jeremiah:

"Campbell is a tall, rangy and explosive linebacker. He was recruited to Alabama as an edge rusher but initially moved to linebacker because of the Crimson Tide's depth on the edges (SEE: Will Anderson Jr. and Dallas Turner, among others). This past season, he played both off the ball and on the edge. As an off-ball linebacker, he doesn't possess elite instincts but offers excellent speed and physicality. He can range sideline to sideline and flashes the ability to thump off blockers and collect tackles on inside runs. He displays exciting tools in his pass-rush opportunities off the edge. He can burst/bend and finish. He also grew more comfortable in coverage throughout the 2024 season. He anticipates routes and positions himself to make plays on the ball. Overall, Campbell expands the playbook for defensive coordinators and his best football is ahead of him."

From PFF:

"Off-ball linebacker is one of the most challenging positions in the NFL, requiring the ability to take on and shed offensive linemen while also excelling in coverage. Jihaad Campbell not only does both at a high level, but he also brings additional value as a pass rusher from multiple alignments. In 2024, he posted a 13.1% pass-rush win rate, graded positively on 17.1% of run plays, and forced incompletions on 13.3% of targets while recording 22 coverage stops. That kind of three-phase impact is rare for linebackers."

I wouldn't be mad at all. Both he and Walker can do the same things and they would be huge additions to our defense in both run and pass sets

Clearly the best player at the position for our style. Not sure Lynch is creative enough to get him at value. But hopefully we can grab Chris Paul Jr or Bassa in the mid rounds.

Originally posted by pd24:
I'm down if we trade back and add a 2nd or 3rd.

This. Denver will want #11 for Jeanty (ahead of Dallas). Throw in their second, done deal.

I really hope we don't use 11 on a one year player. Campbell is talented for sure but we've been burned by one year wonders.

Eh....he's got all the physical talent in the world but he's a guesser. Reminds me of Tremaine Edmunds. Phenomenal physical specimen, jack of all trades but not naturally instinctive. When he guesses right, its a sensational play, when he guesses wrong...yeesh. I'm not certain that he won't be better off playing on the edge in the NFL.

Originally posted by Phoenix49ers:
Eh....he's got all the physical talent in the world but he's a guesser. Reminds me of Tremaine Edmunds. Phenomenal physical specimen, jack of all trades but not naturally instinctive. When he guesses right, its a sensational play, when he guesses wrong...yeesh. I'm not certain that he won't be better off playing on the edge in the NFL.

Yes, I've read that he lacks instincts and play recognition. I'm not sure this is something you can teach. It's like accuracy and pocket awareness for QB's. Either you have it or you don't.

Originally posted by Sask49erFan:
Yes, I've read that he lacks instincts and play recognition. I'm not sure this is something you can teach. It's like accuracy and pocket awareness for QB's. Either you have it or you don't.

It isn't. Tremaine Edmunds is still the same guy he was when he came into the league, phenomenal athlete but has a tendency to give up big plays because he doesn't have that sort of natural instincts and awareness that all time great LB's do. He's not a bad player by any stretch of the imagination but he's not up there at the Fred Warner, Roquan Smith level.

Much rather try and get that kid Nick Martin, Oklahoma St.. Much better value.

140 tackles, 16 TFL, 6 sacks and 2 INT's!!!

Originally posted by Kolohe:
Much rather try and get that kid Nick Martin, Oklahoma St.. Much better value.

140 tackles, 16 TFL, 6 sacks and 2 INT's!!!

Agreed. I like him. He can fly too.

Or Jeffrey Bassa. Natural born leader of men. Chris Paul is a well rounded beast too. I wish Jay Higgins ran better because dudes a baller too.

I'd be all over Demetrius Knight if he fell to round 3 which is unlikely but Bassa is a nice pick there.

1- Demetrius Knight.
2- Chris Paul
3- Jeffrey Bassa
4- Nick Martin

Originally posted by Sask49erFan:

Originally posted by Kolohe:
Much rather try and get that kid Nick Martin, Oklahoma St.. Much better value.

140 tackles, 16 TFL, 6 sacks and 2 INT's!!!

Agreed. I like him. He can fly too.

Or Jeffrey Bassa. Natural born leader of men. Chris Paul is a well rounded beast too. I wish Jay Higgins ran better because dudes a baller too.

I'd be all over Demetrius Knight if he fell to round 3 which is unlikely but Bassa is a nice pick there.

1- Demetrius Knight.
2- Chris Paul
3- Jeffrey Bassa
4- Nick Martin

Those are my four picks too, I'd be happy with anyone of those. Actually they could even draft two, Jalen Graham is probably a camp body, Demetrius Flanigan-Fowles is gone. So they could stand to take two.

Originally posted by Sask49erFan:

Originally posted by Kolohe:
Much rather try and get that kid Nick Martin, Oklahoma St.. Much better value.

140 tackles, 16 TFL, 6 sacks and 2 INT's!!!

Agreed. I like him. He can fly too.

Or Jeffrey Bassa. Natural born leader of men. Chris Paul is a well rounded beast too. I wish Jay Higgins ran better because dudes a baller too.

I'd be all over Demetrius Knight if he fell to round 3 which is unlikely but Bassa is a nice pick there.

1- Demetrius Knight.
2- Chris Paul
3- Jeffrey Bassa
4- Nick Martin

We gonna need a dog factor grade on these guys.

I'm a fan of Bassa myself. Teddye Buchanan as well.

I think Campbell's a stud. Would love to get him.