As the 2025 NFL Draft season heats up, analysts are busy projecting how the first round might unfold. In his latest mock draft, NFL Draft Analyst Lance Zierlein has provided an intriguing projection for the Los Angeles Rams, who are coming off a strong 2024 campaign. With their first-round pick—currently slotted at No. 26 overall—Zierlein predicts the Rams will bolster their defense by selecting Jihaad Campbell, a standout linebacker from the University of Alabama. This selection reflects the Rams’ ongoing efforts to build a youthful, dynamic defense under head coach Sean McVay and defensive coordinator Chris Shula, while also addressing a specific positional need. Let’s dive into the details of this projection, Campbell’s profile, and what it could mean for the Rams moving forward.
The Rams’ 2024 Season and Draft Context
The Los Angeles Rams entered the 2024 season with tempered expectations following a roster overhaul that leaned heavily on young talent after years of aggressive “all-in” moves. However, under McVay’s leadership, the Rams defied skeptics, showcasing a revitalized offense led by quarterback Matthew Stafford and a defense that emerged as one of the league’s most promising units. Rookies like defensive end Jared Verse and defensive tackle Braden Fiske—both selected in the 2024 draft—quickly established themselves as foundational pieces, signaling a shift toward sustainable success through the draft.
Despite their defensive strides, the Rams remain “light at linebacker,” as Zierlein notes in his analysis. Current starter Christian Rozeboom has been a reliable presence and lacks coverage ability, but the depth behind him is thin, and the team lacks a true game-changer at the second level. With ample cap space projected for the 2025 offseason, the Rams could address some needs in free agency, but Zierlein sees them using their first-round pick to add a high-upside talent like Campbell, whose versatility aligns with the modern NFL’s demands for multi-faceted defenders.
Who Is Jihaad Campbell?
Jihaad Campbell, a junior linebacker from Alabama, has steadily risen up draft boards thanks to his blend of athleticism, speed, and positional flexibility. Standing at 6-foot-3 and weighing approximately 240 pounds, Campbell has the ideal frame for an off-ball linebacker in today’s game, with the length and agility to thrive in multiple roles. During his time with the Crimson Tide, he showcased his ability to chase down ball carriers, drop into coverage, and even rush the passer on third downs—an attribute that makes him a coveted prospect in a league where defensive versatility is king.
In the 2024 college football season, Campbell was a key contributor to Alabama’s defense, often lining up as the WILL (weakside) linebacker in Nick Saban’s (and later Kalen DeBoer’s) scheme. While exact stats for the season aren’t fully detailed in Zierlein’s mock, Campbell’s film reveals a player with exceptional range and a knack for making plays in space. Zierlein praises his “terrific blend of chase-down speed and third-down talent (in coverage and as a rusher),” highlighting his potential to immediately impact an NFL defense.
However, Campbell isn’t a flawless prospect. Zierlein offers a balanced evaluation, noting that “he doesn’t play with early instincts or play recognition and is inconsistent in challenging blockers and leveraging his run fits.” These critiques suggest Campbell is still developing the mental side of the game—a common trait for younger prospects—but his physical tools and athleticism allow him to “mitigate mistakes and get to the football at a relatively high rate.” For a Rams team with a strong coaching staff and a scheme that emphasizes speed and aggression, Campbell’s raw talent could be molded into something special.
Why Campbell Fits the Rams
The Rams’ defensive philosophy under Chris Shula, who took over as coordinator in 2024, emphasizes speed, versatility, and relentless pursuit. The team invested heavily in its defensive line last year, but the linebacker corps remains a relative weak spot. Adding Campbell would give the Rams a three-down player capable of complementing their young front seven. His ability to cover tight ends and running backs on passing downs aligns with the NFC West’s offensive trends, where teams like the San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks often exploit linebacker mismatches.
Moreover, Campbell’s pass-rushing upside adds another dimension. While he’s not a traditional edge rusher like Verse, his ability to blitz from the second level could diversify the Rams’ pressure packages, especially on obvious passing downs. Pairing him with Rozeboom (who is a pending free agent) and a secondary that includes emerging talents like Kamren Curl and Cobie Durant could elevate the Rams’ defense into elite territory.
Zierlein’s projection also reflects the Rams’ recent draft strategy. After years of trading away first-round picks (a drought that lasted from 2017 to 2023), general manager Les Snead has embraced the value of Day 1 selections. Campbell represents the kind of high-ceiling athlete the Rams have targeted in recent drafts, much like Verse and Fiske, who quickly translated their college production to the pros.
Alternative Options for the Rams
While Zierlein has the Rams selecting Campbell at No. 26, other prospects could be in play depending on how the board falls. In his first mock draft (version 1.0, published February 2, 2025), Zierlein had the Rams taking Oregon offensive tackle Josh Conerly Jr., signaling a potential focus on protecting Stafford’s blind side. Conerly, a young tackle with good upside, could learn behind veterans like Rob Havenstein before taking over in 2026—a sensible long-term plan given Stafford’s age (37 in 2025).
Elsewhere in mock draft circles, analysts have linked the Rams to other positions. Daniel Jeremiah’s mock 2.0 (February 17, 2025) also projects Conerly to the Rams, while some pre-combine projections have suggested defensive backs or wide receivers to replace Cooper Kupp. However, Zierlein’s shift to Campbell in his latest mock suggests he’s prioritizing the linebacker need after further evaluation—perhaps influenced by Campbell’s combine performance or updated team intel.
Implications for the Rams’ Future
If the Rams land Campbell, it could signal a commitment to building a defense capable of carrying the team into the post-Stafford era. With a young core already in place—Verse, Fiske, and Turner—Campbell could be the missing piece at linebacker, providing sideline-to-sideline range and playmaking ability. His presence might also allow the Rams to experiment with more aggressive schemes, leveraging their speed across all three levels of the defense.
Offensively, the Rams could use their cap space to re-sign key free agents or add a veteran wideout, reducing the pressure to draft for immediate offensive help. This approach would align with McVay’s track record of maximizing talent on both sides of the ball, keeping the Rams competitive in a tough NFC West.
Final Thoughts
Lance Zierlein’s projection of Jihaad Campbell to the Los Angeles Rams at No. 26 in his latest 2025 NFL mock draft is a fascinating one. Campbell’s athletic profile and versatility make him an ideal fit for a Rams defense looking to take the next step, even if his instincts and run defense need refinement. For a team that’s shown it can develop raw talent into stars, Campbell could be a home-run pick—a player who grows into a leader alongside the Rams’ burgeoning young core.
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