On a recent media conference call with NFL Network Draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah, we asked about the star Alabama linebacker’s fit with Cincinnati.
The Cincinnati Bengals are gearing up for a big weekend in Green Bay, and it seems they’ll be leaning on defense to shape their draft class. While defensive linemen have been the focal point of conversations around their pick at No. 17, one other position may make its way into the discussion.
Star Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell was once considered a top-10 pick and one of the best overall talents in the class, but an unfortunate labrum injury has given some teams pause when it comes to selecting him. Sometimes, the blessing and curse of picking in the middle of the draft is making tough decisions on blue-chip prospects with injury concerns right as they’re entering the league.
On a Friday media call with NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah, I asked him for his thoughts on Campbell and his potential fit in Cincinnati. In short, Jeremiah loved the idea.
“Yeah, to me it’s all a defensive draft (for Cincinnati),” Jeremiah began. “You have to go on that side of the ball—heavy, heavy, heavy. I would be shocked if they don’t do that.”
“Jihaad Campbell I love,” Jeremiah continued. “I know he’s been a little—he’s physically beat up coming into the process, so you have to have your medical group be comfortable that he’s going to be fine once we get to the season.”
No matter which team drafts Campbell, they’ll have to deal with the reality that he may miss some time early in the season. Additionally, labrum injuries can be recurring, so that’s something teams need to keep in the back of their minds.
However, even with the injury in mind, Jeremiah loves the idea of Cincinnati selecting Campbell at No. 17. In his response, he specifically pointed out Campbell’s potential impact against the formidable Ravens—a team the Bengals face at least twice a year.
“To me, he’s dynamic,” Jeremiah said. “He’s versatile—off the ball, on the ball. Big-time speed.”
In workouts that limited certain testing metrics, Campbell still scored extremely well, according to RAS. His elite speed grade, per Kent Lee Platte (aka “MathBomb”), shows up on tape, and he looks every bit the part of a future All-Pro when healthy.
Jihaad Campbell is a LB prospect in the 2025 draft class. He scored a 9.87 #RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 39 out of 2911 LB from 1987 to 2025.
Pro day pending for remaining tests.https://t.co/APuhNYZbDZ pic.twitter.com/xr6M2X21EO
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) March 12, 2025
“For a team that’s going to be playing against Baltimore and trying to climb that mountain every year, I think he matches up well with them, when you think about somebody who can come downhill and get Derrick Henry on the ground,” Jeremiah continued.
Though Henry was largely bottled up in the first matchup against Cincinnati in 2024, one huge run toward the end of the contest helped him finish with nearly 100 yards. He averaged 4.3 yards per carry in the rematch and scored a rushing touchdown in each game against the Bengals last season.
“You could spy him against Lamar. And he can close down and try and suck him up on the perimeter. And then, if you want to, you can let him rush off the edge. So he can do a lot of different things. I think he would be a heck of a pick there if he were to get to pick No. 17.”
Beyond his deep knowledge of annual prospects, Jeremiah is also well-versed in all things Baltimore Ravens. He understands the franchise, their mode of operation, and potential schematic matchups, given his time with them as an assistant and scout from 2003–06. So his take on Campbell’s potential impact against Baltimore carries weight.
If the Bengals—and other teams—pass on Campbell, don’t be surprised if another AFC North team pounces on the opportunity to draft him. His skill set fits the physical nature of the division, and if he stays healthy long-term, he could be a serious problem for opposing offenses.
Our thanks to the NFL, as well as to Daniel Jeremiah and Andrew Howard, for the opportunity to be on the call. Be sure to keep it glued to Cincy Jungle, The Orange and Black Insider Bengals podcast, and the BLEAV in Cincy podcast channel, as we’ll be in Green Bay covering the draft next week!
