NFL Analyst Daniel Jeremiah’s Insight on Jihaad Campbell Pre-Combine

On Thursday, Feb. 20, National Football League Draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah held a conference call with the media to preview the 2025 NFL Combine and provide some  insight on why certain teams may benefit from targeting specific players.

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In Jeremiah's 1.0 Top 50 list, he had linebacker Jihaad Campbell listed at No. 13. He believes that Campbell expands the playbook for defensive coordinators and his best football is ahead of him. He describes Campbell as a tall, rangy, and explosive linebacker. "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," said Jeremiah.

There has been much speculation about where Campbell could land in the 2025 NFL Draft. According to various reports and mock drafts, he has been listed as a first-round pick. The only question is who will draft Campbell? The most common projections for his landing spots are the Seattle Seahawks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Washington Commanders, and Philadelphia Eagles.

In Jeremiah's first mock draft on Jan. 25, he had Campbell being drafted at No. 19 by the Buccaneers. In his report, he stated that the Buccaneers have a gap to fill with Lavonte David and K.J. Britt likely departing in free agency. "Well, aggressive guys that can blitz from anywhere. Jihaad Campbell would be sure as heck fun to watch there just with all the different things he can do, fast, explosive, and smart. That's a good combination for him for Coach Bowles to be able to play with there. That's the first thing that jumped off the top of my head here when I'm thinking about those types of (aggressive) players," said Jeremiah when asked about defensive players that are best fits for the Buccaneers' defense under Todd Bowles.

In Jeremiah's 2.0 mock draft released on Feb.18, he had Campbell selected at No. 29  by the Washington Commanders. "With Campbell in Washington, I think that represents a tremendous value there at pick number 29. Again, you obviously have seen him. When he plays off the ball in the range and the ability to use him as a blitzer from off the ball is pretty special. 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. That would constitute a tremendous value there at pick No.29 in my opinion, based off the player. I think they would love coaching him there, and Dan Quinn would love him in Washington," said Jeremiah when asked why Washington would be a great fit if Campbell is still available at No. 29.

The Combine commenced on Monday with the participation of coaches and general managers, preceding the availability of players on Wednesday. On Monday, Jeremiah released an updated Top 50 list, version 2.0, which saw Campbell's ranking rise to No. 12.

Media will hear from Campbell and the entire linebacker group for the first time on Wednesday and will be able to see Campbell compete during linebacker drills on Thursday.

Follow along with Tide 100.9 for Combine coverage and the latest information on Campbell throughout the week.