• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Phoenix Sports Today

Phoenix Sports News Continuously Updated

  • Cardinals
  • Diamondbacks
  • Coyotes
  • Basketball
    • Mercury
    • Suns
  • Soccer
  • Colleges
    • Arizona State
    • Grand Canyon University
    • Northern Arizona
    • University of Arizona

Jihaad Campbell has the make-up to be a star, but where does he fit best for the Arizona Cardinals

April 3, 2025 by Revenge Of The Birds

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: DEC 31 ReliaQuest Bowl - Alabama vs Michigan
Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The Alabama linebacker is an intriguing fit with the Arizona Cardinals.

It is Bama boys day as we continue to load up the big board for the Arizona Cardinals.

We looked at the big offensive lineman from Alabama earlier today, and now we take a look at the one of the most intriguing linebackers in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Jihaad Campbell came in at 6-3 and 235lbs, with a great wingspan and tested like a freak athlete for the linebacker position.

The question becomes, what does Campbell do for the Arizona Cardinals immediately?

Some thoughts from Lance Zierlein:

He doesn’t play with early instincts or play recognition and is inconsistent in challenging blockers and leveraging his run fits… 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.

From Bleacher Report:

Against the run, the Alabama product could benefit from some more experience as he still struggles against eye candy. Also, he has issues staying in his gap when taking on blocks from offensive linemen and good blocking tight ends… Campbell moves very well to be effective in coverage, especially when playing zone. He shows good eye discipline to locate threats coming into his area and can read the quarterback’s eyes to tighten throwing windows. He also has the change of direction and acceleration to break and close on routes to make tackles for short gains or get PBUs.

From PFF:

Campbell has the ideal build and athletic ability to play any linebacker spot, but he projects best to a Mike or Sam LB in 4-3 schemes or a Mike/EDGE in a 3-4. He must continue to develop anticipation and strength, but he has the mold of an All-Pro player.

So, is Campbell a player that comes in and is a rotational type early while he develops some more instincts reading the run game, especially in the NFC West, or is the Gannon/Rallis scheme that has yielded strong results from players like T.J. Edwards, Kyzir White, and Mack Wilson Sr. that they can get him up to speed immediately?

Campbell is an intriguing prospect who the Arizona Cardinals could use at either the Mike or Edge position, but where does he fit best?

Filed Under: Cardinals

Primary Sidebar

Recent Posts

  • Diamondbacks Gameday Thread, #100: 7/20 vs. Cardinals
  • Arizona Cardinals fans think James Conner leads the team in touchdowns in 2025
  • NFL Film’s Greg Cosell’s take on the 2025 Arizona Cardinals
  • The Suns have two roster spots left and one familiar name might be the perfect fit
  • Suns should steal next Collin Gillespie from Summer League rival

Categories

Archives

Our Partners

All Sports

  • 247 Sports
  • ArizonaSports.com - 98.7 FM
  • Bleacher Report
  • Heat Waved
  • OurSports Central
  • The Arizona Republic
  • The Sports Fan Journal
  • USA Today

Baseball

  • Arizona Diamondbacks
  • AZ Snake Pit
  • Last Word On Baseball
  • MLB Trade Rumors
  • Venom Strikes

Basketball

  • Phoenix Suns
  • Amico Hoops
  • Basketball Insiders
  • Bright Side Of The Sun
  • High Post Hoops
  • Hoops Hype
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Last Word On Pro Basketball
  • Pro Basketball Talk
  • Real GM
  • Valley Of The Suns

Football

  • Arizona Cardinals
  • Cardinals Gab
  • Cards Wire
  • Deep Dive
  • Last Word On Pro Football
  • NFL Trade Rumors
  • Our Turf Football
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Football Talk
  • Raising Zona
  • Revenge Of The Birds
  • Words From The Birds

Hockey

  • Elite Prospects
  • Five For Howling
  • Howlin Hockey
  • Last Word On Hockey
  • Pro Hockey Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Talk
  • The Hockey Writers

Soccer

  • Last Word on Soccer
  • MLS Multiplex

College

  • AZ Desert Swarm
  • Busting Brackets
  • College Football News
  • College Sports Madness
  • Devils In Detail
  • House Of Sparky
  • Last Word On College Basketball - Univ of Arizona
  • Saturday Blitz
  • Zags Blog
  • Zona Zealots

Copyright © 2025 · Magazine Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in