Strickland was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the second round (47th overall) of the 1988 NFL draft.[2] As a rookie, he was a backup linebacker, tallying 43 tackles (34 solo) and 4 sacks. He had 2 sacks in the season finale against the San Francisco 49ers and in the playoff loss against the Minnesota Vikings.
In 1989, he suffered a right knee injury early in training camp, missing all of the preseason and the season opener. He still was able to become a starter at inside linebacker, registering 63 tackles (fifth on the team), 2 sacks, 2 interceptions and 6 passes defensed. He missed 3 games with an ankle injury he suffered in the sixth game against the Buffalo Bills. He had 10 tackles and 2 interceptions in the season finale against the New England Patriots.
In 1990, the Rams took advantage of his versatility as a player, creating a position called "nose linebacker", that rushed the quarterback, dropped back in coverage and took on offensive lineman in the running game.[3] On October 15, he was placed on the injured reserve list with a fractured left fibula.[4] He was fourth on the team with 25 tackles at the time.
In 1991, he made 29 tackles (23 solo), one sack, 2 passes defensed and one forced fumble. He missed 2 games after suffering a sprained knee in the second game against the New York Giants.
In 1992, he was passed on the depth chart at middle linebacker by Larry Kelm, playing mainly on special teams and short yardage situations. He collected 7 tackles and 8 special teams tackles.
On May 7, 1993, he was signed as a free agent by the Minnesota Vikings.[5] He finished with 15 starts at weakside linebacker, 137 tackles (second on the team) and 4 fumble recoveries (tied for second on the league), on a defense that was ranked number 1 in the league.[6]
On June 23, 1994, after the retirement of linebackers Johnny Holland and Brian Noble, he was signed as a free agent by the Green Bay Packers, reuniting with his former Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Fritz Shurmur.[7] He was named the starter at middle linebacker, posting 88 tackles (second on the team).
The next year he had 72 tackles. He missed 2 games after suffering a sprained left medial collateral ligament in the fourteenth game against the Cleveland Browns.
In 1996, after losing linebackers Robert Jones and Dixon Edwards to free agency, the Dallas Cowboys signed him as a free agent on March 11.[8] He was named the starter at middle linebacker and recorded 153 tackles (led the team) on a defense that was ranked third in the league. On November 24, he had a career-high 20 tackles against the New York Giants.
In 1997, he was limited with injuries, but still tallied 132 tackles (fourth on the team) and 2 fumble recoveries (tied for the team lead). In 1998, he registered 117 tackles (third on the team). On February 11, 1999, he was released after the team decided to start third year player Randall Godfrey.[9]
On March 27, 1999, he signed with the Washington Redskins as a free agent.[10] He was the backup at middle linebacker to Derek Smith, before being placed on the injured reserve list on October 26.[11] The next year, he was tried at outside linebacker, until being released before the start of the season.
Strickland played 12 seasons in the NFL; appearing in 161 games (111 starts) and finishing with 580 tackles, 8.5 sacks, 4 interceptions and 11 fumble recoveries.
He retired soon after.