Eagles select Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell in first round of NFL Draft
Long gone are the days when the Eagles didn’t value linebackers.
The Birds traded one of their several 2025 fifth-round picks to swap draft positions with the Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday night, then selected Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell 31st overall.
The move comes just a month or two after the team signed linebacker Zack Baun to a three-year, $51 million contract.
— jaiden (@steph_turkey) April 25, 2025
Here’s Yahoo Sports’ scouting profile on Campbell prior to the draft:
“He’s got all the physical tools to be a three-down playmaker at the second level in the NFL, and everything Campbell struggles with at this point is teachable. It might take a little patience and technical refinement from his pro coaches, but Campbell has all the makings of a scheme-versatile defender with Pro Bowl potential.”
And here’s ESPN’s post-draft analysis of the pick:
“They’ve done it again. The Eagles lead the league in being patient and letting good players who are great defensive fits fall down the board. With a slight trade up from No. 32, Philadelphia gets a speedy linebacker who would excel in a role very similar to the one linebacker Zack Baun played in 2024. Campbell can play stack ‘backer, rush off the edge or operate as a spy in the run game. His ultimate role will depend on his physical development, but the Eagles once again steal a top 15 player in the class.”
Campbell was widely considered the best linebacker available in this year’s draft.
One of my strongest beliefs about this draft: If Alabama LB Jihaad Campbell falls, some team is going to get an absolute steal. Extremely high upside prospect. pic.twitter.com/yJhIe1ZoRg
— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) April 23, 2025
Early reactions seemed to indicate that Eagles fans are thrilled with the pick.
Jihaad Campbell on the final big boards:
Daniel Jeremiah: 12th
PFF: 13th
The Ringer: 11th
Todd McShay: 11thAnd the Eagles land him at 31 LMAOOOOO THEY DID IT AGAIN pic.twitter.com/GySghF9z7d
— Aidan Powers (@aidan_34_powers) April 25, 2025
Campbell, 21, registered 117 tackles, 11.5 tackles for losses, five sacks, and two forced fumbles with ‘bama in 2024. He’s a South Jersey native and began high school in Gloucester Township before moving to Florida.
With the Crimson Tide, Campbell was a starter in both 2023 and 2024 (his sophomore and junior years).
