Across the scouting community, a prospect that is well-regarded around the league is Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell. Campbell was all over the field for the Crimson Tide in 2024, showing the ability to make plays in run defense, pass rush, and pass coverage. The dynamic defender has a lot of teams interested in him. Sources with Atlanta and Tampa Bay are both really high on Campbell, and he is in play to go to one of those teams in the top 20 of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Sources from both teams love Campbell with his skill set, production, and upside. However, sources from each of them were unsure they would ultimately be willing to take a linebacker that high in the first round. Tampa Bay general manager Jason Licht did take LSU linebacker Devin White with the fifth-overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. After a solid start to help the Bucs win a Super Bowl, White left Tampa Bay and the Buccaneers did not sign him to a long-term contract.
In the 2023 NFL Draft, Atlanta loved Iowa linebacker Jack Campbell, and they were considering trading back into the first round for him if he slipped out of the top 20. However, that decision was made for them when the Lions took Campbell in at pick 18.
Both Tampa Bay and Atlanta have bigger needs for an edge rusher, and teams put a premium on drafting pass rushers in the first round. However, sources point out that Campbell is a dangerous blitzer and can rush off the edge, as evidenced by his five sacks last year. In my latest 2025 NFL Mock Draft, I have Campbell landing with one of these NFC South teams, and they may find him too good and safe of a pick to pass on in the first round next April.
