Jihaad Campbell Is My Draft Pick
He’s not mocked to us anywhere as far as I can tell, but hear me out: unless Mason Graham somehow falls to us at 11, Jihaad Campbell has to be the pick.
He’s elite at stopping the run and exceptional in coverage - easily one of the most athletic linebackers to enter the draft in recent memory. Let’s compare his combine numbers to our All-Pro linebackers, Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw:
| Player | 40-Yard Dash | 10-Yard Split | Vertical Jump | Broad Jump |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jihaad Campbell | 4.52 seconds | 1.53 seconds | N/A | 10'7" |
| Fred Warner | 4.64 seconds | 1.55 seconds | 38.5" | 9'11" |
| Dre Greenlaw | 4.73 seconds | N/A | 33" | 9'9" |
Elite numbers. Pairing him alongside Fred Warner would instantly elevate our run defense and significantly enhance our coverage abilities. Campbell was impressive in coverage at Alabama and consistently excelled at disrupting quarterbacks and creating tackles for loss. Because of his pass-rushing ability, we could deploy him similarly to how Dallas utilizes Micah Parsons - they share the same height and weight. While Micah is faster - honestly, he’s faster than almost anyone at that size - Jihaad actually edges him in the critical 10-yard split and slightly beats him in the broad jump.
If the 49ers are known for anything, it’s our elite linebacker play. Campbell could be the next great Niner linebacker - so why not draft him now and pair him immediately with the best linebacker in the NFL? Our defense was noticeably stronger when Dre Greenlaw was on the field; let’s add someone who can do all those things - and maybe even more.