Ever since the season ended the conversation around the Seattle Seahawks has mostly centered around the offensive line. Specifically, which linemen in the 2025 NFL draft class could help them most. On that front we have seen the same names getting mocked to Seattle at number 18 overall over and over. If it's not a guard, then it's a tackle who could slide inside to guard or force somebody else to.
While that's a realistic scenario given their roster needs, it's also a relatively boring one to talk about when it comes to roster building. Today we've finally found a different scenario for that first-round pick, courtesy of Michael Hanich at Last Word on Sports.
Hanich believes that the Seahawks should consider Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell with that 18th overall pick.
LWOS on Seahawks drafting Jihaad Campbell
"The last pure inside linebacker to be drafted in the first round was Jack Campbell for the Detroit Lions in 2023. Campbell was considered an overreach and now the Lions have a star and a leader on the defense. Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell might be the linebacker that has first-round value. While he possesses first-round value and shows great potential, he might be overlooked due to his position. If the Seahawks look to address the defensive side of the ball in the first round, it should be for Campbell or Georgia safety Malaki Starks."
As he mentions, drafting an off-ball linebacker in the first round is generally not considered a sound strategy in the modern NFL. However, the Seahawks have a long history of defying those expectations. They have drafted linebackers in Round 1 a couple of times, including Bruce Irvin in 2012 and Jordyn Brooks in 2020.
Campbell (6-foot-4, 245 pounds) is more than just your average inside linebacker, though. He's also quite adept at getting to the quarterback. This past season at Alabama he posted five sacks to go with 117 combined tackles. The scouting report on Campbell mentions his plus size, speed, discipline and athletic ability. Negatives include hand work and a high pad level.
Whether the Seahawks target Campbell or not will depend largely on what happens with Ernest Jones, who's set to become an unrestricted free agent in a few weeks. Seattle's front office should have already re-signed him to a long-term deal - and if he's allowed to test the market they could lose not only their defensive centerpiece but they will also have wasted the fourth-round draft pick they sent to the Tennessee Titans on a half-season rental.
There's still time to work out a deal, but the last we heard is that negotiations have been put on pause between the two sides. If Jones walks, then the Seahawks will have little choice but to target a replacement linebacker no later than Round 3.
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