Vikings NFL Draft strategy should focus on one player that would turn Brian Flores' defense into a juggernaut

Now that we are past the first wave of free agency, things are getting more and more clear with the Minnesota Vikings' NFL Draft strategy. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has done a great job getting the Vikings to a point where they don't have any major needs. Will allow the Vikings to go any direction […]

Tyler Forness — NFL & College Football News Writer
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Oct 5, 2024; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Jihaad Campbell (11) sneaks a peek into the backfield against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the first half at FirstBank Stadium.
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Now that we are past the first wave of free agency, things are getting more and more clear with the Minnesota Vikings' NFL Draft strategy.

General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has done a great job getting the Vikings to a point where they don't have any major needs. Will allow the Vikings to go any direction in the NFL Draft. Finding talent is the most important thing during the NFL Draft and the Vikings can put all of their focus onto that.

The latest installment of our SKOL Search series focuses on a very popular name in NFL Mock Drafts for the Vikings in Alabama ILB Jihaad Campbell.

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Jihaad Campbell

  • Alabama
  • Height: 6020
  • Weight: 235
  • Class: Third-Year Junior
  • Recruiting info: 5-star recruit in 2021 class per 247 Sports
  • Stats: 184 tackles (88 solo), 16.0 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions, 1 touchdown, 5 passes defended, 2 forced fumbles, 3 fumble recoveries
  • Games watched: Georgia 2024, Tennessee 2024, Vanderbilt 2024

Strengths

  • Coverage Skills: Campbell is extremely gifted in coverage. He is comfortable in any situation and gets depth with ease. Campbell is one of the few linebackers who can run the pole in Tampa 2
  • Eyes: He does a great job of keeping his head up consistently and stays patient in all phases, especially when it comes to playing in space.
  • Speed/Athleticism: When it comes to moving on the field, Campbell has plenty of juice. He can run sideline to sideline and is very fluid when dropping in coverage.
  • Size/Frame: Campbell is the prototype for a modern-day off-ball linebacker. He combined size, speed, and coverage ability while not sacrificing run defense.

Jihaad Campbell’s coverage skills are some of the best in the class

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— Tyler Forness (@therealforno.bsky.social) March 17, 2025 at 10:38 PM

Weaknesses

  • Leverage: Campbell is a very good player, but when he engages with blockers, he keeps his pad level a little too high, causing him to get washed out/stood up.
  • Physicality: While he has the perfect build for a linebacker in today's day and age, Campbell needs to be more willing to engage physically and drive blockers with power.

Overview

TraitGrade

Tackling

8.5/10

Recognition

9.0/10

Coverage

9.4/10

Sideline to Sideline

9.0/10

Athleticism

9.3/10

Burst/Quickness

9.0/10

Speed

8.8/10

Gap Shooting

8.3/10

Block Shedding

7.8/10

Instincts

8.8/10

Grade

87.9 First Round Grade

Campbell is an excellent prospect for multiple reasons. He isn't just a modern day linebacker, but also a throwback where he can play the run at a high level. What separates Campbell from the rest of the class is how great he is in coverage, where he can run the pole in Tampa-2. That's a rare trait for the linebacker position at his size.

It's also something that defensive coordinator Brian Flores would love to have on defense. Blake Cashman already is good in pass coverage, but Ivan Pace Jr. struggles in that area. Having two great linebackers that can do everything would elevate the defense to new heights, especially with the versatility that both Dallas Turner and Andrew Van Ginkel bring.

Campbell's addition would bring a ton of versatility and confusion, which plays into Flores' favor.

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