Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald is known for coveting versatile playmakers who can be deployed at various positions throughout his cutting-edge defensive scheme.
What does Drew Lock’s return mean for Sam Howell’s future with Seahawks?
When he was the Baltimore Ravens’ defensive coordinator, Macdonald had do-everything safety Kyle Hamilton. In Seattle, Macdonald already has a uniquely versatile chess piece in cornerback Devon Witherspoon.
Could the Seahawks add another “Swiss Army knife” talent to Macdonald’s defense in this year’s NFL Draft?
As part of his Seahawks Draft Profile series on Seattle Sports’ Brock and Salk, FOX college football analyst Brock Huard highlighted a projected first-round pick who fits that bill to a tee: Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell.
“He’s a big-time, big-time talent that is maybe just enough of a Swiss Army knife to carve through some of the NFL offenses that Mike Macdonald’s gotta deal with,” Huard said.
The 6-foot-3, 235-pound Campbell is widely regarded as the top linebacker in this year’s draft class. According to Pro Football Focus, he can play any linebacker spot and “has the mold of an All-Pro player.”
Campbell filled the stat sheet this past season at Alabama, where he played both as an off-ball linebacker and an edge rusher. As a first-team All-SEC pick, he racked up 117 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, five sacks, one interception, three pass breakups and two forced fumbles in 13 games.
At the NFL combine, Campbell tied for the third-fastest 40-yard dash time among linebackers (4.52 seconds) and had the second-best broad jump at his position (10 feet, 7 inches).
“He’s one of these position-less players,” Huard said. “I think guys like that are appealing and appetizing to (Mike Macdonald). … This guy is 6-3, 235, runs 4.5, jumps out of the gym and has done a little bit of everything in his career? I like that.”
GIMME Dat!!!@RealJihaadC ➡️ @Timothy_smith77
📺: ABC pic.twitter.com/bSlWCjQUmV
— Alabama Football (@AlabamaFTBL) November 10, 2024
NFL.com draft analyst Chad Reuter has Campbell going at No. 14 overall to the Indianapolis Colts in his latest mock draft, while ESPN draft analyst Matt Miller projects Campbell at No. 15 to Atlanta Falcons. That’s just a few spots in front of Seattle’s pick at No. 18.
Co-host Mike Salk, however, wondered whether a player like Campbell would be the best use of the Seahawks’ first-round pick. While Seattle does need more linebacker depth and no team can ever have enough edge rushers, the Seahawks have more pressing needs to address – especially along the offensive line.
Huard admitted he’s wary of that too.
“There’s like two or three (draft prospects) that I’ve kind of struggled to put in this little sweet spot of a position (at No. 18),” Huard said. “The talent is that good, but is the fit for this roster?”
Listen to the full conversation at this link or in the audio player near the top of this story. Tune in to Brock and Salk weekdays from 6 to 10 a.m. or find the podcast on the Seattle Sports app.
More on the Seattle Seahawks
• Stacy Rost: What Lock’s return after Geno’s trade tells us about Seahawks
• He’s back: Seattle Seahawks reunite with QB Drew Lock, per reports
• Insider: The best run-blocking guard in the draft for Seattle Seahawks
• How Sam Darnold and Geno Smith’s new contracts compare
• Brock’s Seahawks Draft Profile: Why Michigan TE is possibility at No. 18
