Linebacker play could be on the verge of returning to it’s old level of importance in the NFL.

The surge in defenses running two-high coverage shells to counter explosive passing offenses has allowed for a resurgence in running games league-wide. Considering that the base defense is now a nickel look, that places even more importance on finding versatile linebackers.

Alabama’s Jihaad Campbell brings near DB-like movement skills as well as the ability to defend the run and rush the passer.

The Giants’ linebackers have improved significantly over the last couple years, but could Campbell be a curveball to push them over the top?

Prospect: Jihaad Campbell (11)
Games Watched: vs. Georgia (2024), vs. UCLA (2024), vs. Missouri (2024), vs. LSU (2024)

Measurables

Strengths

Best traits

• Athleticism
• Range
• Versatility
• Processing speed

Jihaad Campbell is a smart, versatile, and explosively athletic linebacker prospect.

Campbell has solid size for a modern off-ball linebacker at 6-foot-3, 235 pounds, while also having great speed, agility, and explosiveness. He is an excellent athlete for the position, combining sideline-to-sideline range with movement skills that look more like a defensive back’s than a linebacker.

Campbell was asked to play a variety of roles in the Alabama defense, lining up as both an inside and outside linebacker, as well as up on the line of scrimmage. He was primarily used as an off-ball linebacker and space player, though he was also asked to threaten gaps as a (potential) blitzer. Whether Campbell blitzed or not depended on the play call, but his athleticism makes him an effective rusher as well as coverage player.

He has excellent range when dropping into coverage, quickly getting depth on his zone drops. Campbell has quick feet and fluid hips for a player of his size, allowing him to turn and run with tight ends or running backs in space. He also executes a “W” drill – dropping before planting a foot and driving down hill – almost like a jumbo-sized safety.

Campbell appears to be a smart defender with very good processing speed. He commits hard and fast once he sees the play develop, and typically diagnoses quickly after the snap.

Weaknesses

Worst traits

Campbell is an excellent linebacker prospect, however there are a couple issues in his profile and he’s still something of a work in progress.

Most notably, Campbell lacks size compared to the “traditional” linebacker archetype. It’s a trade-off for his impressive athleticism and movement skills, but he lacks mass and play strength compared to some other linebackers. Campbell can struggle to stack and shed offensive linemen, and even be overwhelmed by bigger tight ends. He’s much better when allowed to use his speed and agility to slip past blockers, but that isn’t always possible.

Likewise, Campbell can also be a bit of a drag-down tackler. While he’s pretty reliable when it comes to getting ball carriers on the ground, it can lead to “leaky” yardage that can add up when ball carriers can carry him for a yard or two at a time.

Finally, Campbell is more of a “see and chase” linebacker than a truly instinctive player at this point in his development. He typically processes quickly, but he needs to see the play begin to develop before he launches into motion.

Game Tape

(Campbell is the Alabama linebacker wearing number 11 and a sleeve on his left arm.)

Projection

Jihaad Campbell projects as a starting off-ball linebacker at the NFL level.

He would likely be best as a WILL linebacker and could be better used as a coverage or pursuit player, at least to start his career. Campbell has fantastic movement skills and great range in space, but he’s still developing as a downhill player. He’s an impact player when he can fly to the ball, and his future defense should take advantage of that.

More aggressive defenses should also look for opportunities to use Campbell in their blitz designs, either scheming him rush opportunities or using him to cover for blitzing defensive backs.

There’s room on his frame for a bit more mass to improve his play strength, however teams should be wary of compromising the athleticism that makes him special. Jihaad Campbell should be able to win a starting job right away, and has the potential to be a Pro Bowl player if he fully unlocks his potential.

Does he fit the Giants?
Yes, though value might not align

Final Word: A first round talent