With the 31st pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles select … Jihaad Campbell, linebacker, Alabama!

Wait.

A first-round off-ball linebacker?! For the first time since 1979?!

Methinks Vic Fangio had a lot to do with this pick.

The Eagles were trying to trade up to the No. 22 pick when the Los Angeles Chargers were on the clock to select Campbell, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport. But no deal was made. The Eagles eventually moved up one spot with the Kansas City Chiefs, who they beat in Super Bowl LIX.

The terms of the deal:

EAGLES RECEIVE — No. 31

CHIEFS RECEIVE — No. 32, No. 164

So, the Birds gave up one of their four fifth-round picks (their second-highest one) to make the deal.

And they notably passed over popular first-round mock draft target Donovan Ezeiruaku.

Campbell, who turned 21 in February, was widely expected to be selected prior to this point leading up to the 2025 NFL Draft. The Arif Hasan consensus big board had Campbell valued at No. 14 overall. Grinding The Mocks had his average draft position at No. 20 overall.

Campbell’s fall could be related to medical concerns. Tony Pauline wrote the following on Thursday morning (bold emphasis mine):

Michigan cornerback Will Johnson has a variety of injury red flags, including a knee issue, which concerns teams. The situation is worse for Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell, who I’m told has been red-flagged over shoulder injuries that could disrupt his rookie campaign.

With Nakobe Dean likely to miss time during the 2025 season due to a January torn patellar tendon, the Eagles had a need at linebacker. If healthy, Campbell now figures to start next to reigning All-Pro Zack Baun. That duo has potential to be quite the combination! Especially with both players having pass rush ability as well.

If Vic likes this guy, so do I. I’m excited about this pick!

Campbell — a South Jersey native (Gloucester Township) — also had a good message on the NFL Draft stage after being selected:

Jihaad Campbell: “Philly, we gotta win another freaking Super Bowl next year. It’s on!” #Eagles

— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) April 25, 2025

Campbell was LB1 according to BGN’s Jonny Page:

Overall: Campbell is a tough, versatile player with great athleticism and speed, capable of playing MIKE, SAM, or even EDGE at times. He should be a reliable, every-down linebacker, and he blew up the combine and has real speed. While he’s an elite tackler and excels in coverage, his raw instincts and need for further development, especially in play recognition and physicality, could hold him back at the next level.

Eagles Thoughts: Campbell would be a great fit in Philly’s defense, but I doubt he will be around at pick 32. I doubt the Eagles spend money on a linebacker and draft another one in the 1st, either!

Scouting report via NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein:

Campbell has the build and traits of an Alabama linebacker but might need to upgrade in some areas. He doesn’t play with early instincts or play recognition and is inconsistent in challenging blockers and leveraging his run fits. Campbell uses his speed and athleticism to help mitigate mistakes and get to the football at a relatively high rate. He’s a rangy, consistent open-field tackler who excels on third downs as a fluid blitzer and impressive cover talent. The elite traits and athletic talent will be tantalizing, but the best way to utilize him might be as a full-time 3-4 rush linebacker, where he can play more proactively instead of reactively as an off-ball linebacker.

College stats via Sports Reference:

Spider graph via Mockdraftable:

Watch his highlights video:

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Remaining Eagles draft picks

1 (31) – LB Jihaad Campbell

2 (64) –

3 (96) –

4 (134) –

5 (161) –

5 (165) –

5 (168) –

Remaining Eagles needs

Edge rusher

Safety

Tight end

Defensive tackle