NFL.com's Daniel Jeremiah picked Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Jihaad Campbell for the New Orleans Saints in his latest mock draft on Tuesday morning.
On the selection, Jeremiah said, "Campbell has the versatility to be a major weapon for a creative defensive coordinator like Brandon Staley."
I actually went with Campbell in my mock draft following the combine, but he was there at 40th in the simulator. Admittedly, I was skeptical in him falling that far. He absolutely could fit Brandon Staley's defense and would be make a strong impact.
There's a good chance Jihaad Campbell put himself in the first-round conversation after his performance at the Combine. Campbell is one of those players who could fit the new Saints defensive scheme and he's willing to play wherever he can to help. He could be a stand-up rusher off the edge and be a good boost on first and second down. He has instant impact potential.
New Orleans needs to drastically improve their defense from last season, who finished poorly in several key statistical categories. The Saints re-signed Chase Young for their pass rush while adding Davon Godchaux for the interior and Justin Reid on the backend. More moves should be expected, and the draft could be a good way for them to add to it.
Lance Zierlein Draft Profile: Jihaad Campbell
Campbell has the build and traits of an Alabama linebacker but might need to upgrade in some areas. He doesn't play with early instincts or play recognition and is inconsistent in challenging blockers and leveraging his run fits. Campbell uses his speed and athleticism to help mitigate mistakes and get to the football at a relatively high rate. He's a rangy, consistent open-field tackler who excels on third downs as a fluid blitzer and impressive cover talent. The elite traits and athletic talent will be tantalizing, but the best way to utilize him might be as a full-time 3-4 rush linebacker, where he can play more proactively instead of reactively as an off-ball linebacker.
Related: Saints 7-Round Mock Draft, Free Agency Edition
Related: Who Draft Analysts Are Selecting For the Saints In Their Latest NFL Mock Drafts
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This story was originally published March 18, 2025 at 8:59 AM.
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