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The New Orleans Saints have a tough decision to make when it comes to the 2025 NFL draft and their No. 9 overall selection. With the team having a pretty substantial list of needs, even with the signings they have made, they will need to hit on many of their selections to really build a strong foundation for the future.
Many fans have their picks as to who the selection should be, whether that be one of the quarterbacks, Ashton Jeanty, Tetairoa McMillan, Jalon Walker, Mykel Williams, or anyone else. One of the prospects who has been steadily rising in rankings is Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell, who had an absolutely outstanding 2024 season and is now viewed as a likely top-15 prospect.
In a recent mock draft by Daniel Jeremiah of NFL Network, he selected Campbell for the Saints, writing: "Campbell has the versatility to be a major weapon for a creative defensive coordinator like Brandon Staley."
While a pick not many would expect, this makes sense when it comes down to it. As he mentions, the versatility of Campbell has been huge in recent years, and in 2024 it took a new step as he played 112 snaps alongside the defensive line, as opposed to a previous career high of only 43. He also logged 99 pass rush snaps as opposed to only 60 the year prior, so clearly the Crimson Tide saw he was someone who could get after the quarterback and let him a bit. While he is still more of a stand-up linebacker, playing in 331 coverage snaps and 351 run defense snaps, he is becoming more than just that.
In 2024 Campbell accrued a whopping 117 total tackles (54 solo, 63 assisted), 12 tackles for loss, 5 sacks, an interception, 2 pass deflections, two forced fumbles, and a recovery. He performed well at the NFL Scouting Combine, too, posting a 4.52-second time in the 40-yard dash with a rare 1.53-second 10-yard split, and 10-foot-7 broad jump. He would be an extremely intriguing addition to a Saints defense that may now be running a 3-4 front under Brandon Staley.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Daniel Jeremiah NFL mock draft links Saints, Alabama's Jihaad Campbell
Continue reading...
Many fans have their picks as to who the selection should be, whether that be one of the quarterbacks, Ashton Jeanty, Tetairoa McMillan, Jalon Walker, Mykel Williams, or anyone else. One of the prospects who has been steadily rising in rankings is Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell, who had an absolutely outstanding 2024 season and is now viewed as a likely top-15 prospect.
In a recent mock draft by Daniel Jeremiah of NFL Network, he selected Campbell for the Saints, writing: "Campbell has the versatility to be a major weapon for a creative defensive coordinator like Brandon Staley."
While a pick not many would expect, this makes sense when it comes down to it. As he mentions, the versatility of Campbell has been huge in recent years, and in 2024 it took a new step as he played 112 snaps alongside the defensive line, as opposed to a previous career high of only 43. He also logged 99 pass rush snaps as opposed to only 60 the year prior, so clearly the Crimson Tide saw he was someone who could get after the quarterback and let him a bit. While he is still more of a stand-up linebacker, playing in 331 coverage snaps and 351 run defense snaps, he is becoming more than just that.
In 2024 Campbell accrued a whopping 117 total tackles (54 solo, 63 assisted), 12 tackles for loss, 5 sacks, an interception, 2 pass deflections, two forced fumbles, and a recovery. He performed well at the NFL Scouting Combine, too, posting a 4.52-second time in the 40-yard dash with a rare 1.53-second 10-yard split, and 10-foot-7 broad jump. He would be an extremely intriguing addition to a Saints defense that may now be running a 3-4 front under Brandon Staley.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Daniel Jeremiah NFL mock draft links Saints, Alabama's Jihaad Campbell
Continue reading...
