The Philadelphia Eagles entered the 2025 NFL Draft without any glaring holes to patch, which gave them the flexibility to prioritize talent and long-term upside over immediate need. That is exactly why they used the 31st overall pick on Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell, even with Zack Baun and Nakobe Dean already on the roster.
"This wasn’t a need pick. This was a player we had tremendous passion about."Eagles GM Howie Roseman
Campbell brings versatility, athleticism, and upside that few defenders in this class can match. At Alabama, he played both inside and outside linebacker, and the Eagles plan to use him in multiple spots as well. He is a modern linebacker who contributes in every phase of the game.
Against the run, Campbell is a disciplined and reliable tackler. He recorded 117 tackles in 2024, the eighth-most in Alabama history, and missed only seven tackles all season. According to Pro Football Focus, that gave him a missed tackle rate of just 6 percent. He has the frame and movement skills to cover ground quickly, though there are times when he is slow to trigger and diagnose plays.
As a pass rusher, Campbell was highly efficient. On only 99 blitzes, he generated 20 pressures and 5 sacks. He wins with an explosive first step and has the strength to overpower blockers when needed.
Campbell also excels in coverage. Bleacher Report named him the best coverage linebacker in college football last season, and PFF gave him an 80.1 grade in that area. For a 244-pound player, he moves with impressive fluidity and awareness in space. He holds his own in both man and zone coverage, and can be a three-down linebacker in the NFL.
Campbell's role in 2025 and beyond
Despite his impressive all-around skill set, Campbell fell to the end of the first round due to two factors. First, he is recovering from a shoulder injury that ended his 2024 season and will likely keep him out until at least August. Second, he plays off-ball linebacker, a position that rarely sees top-10 picks anymore. Since 2020, only one has gone that high—Isaiah Simmons at number eight to Arizona.
When healthy, Campbell is expected to be the Eagles’ third linebacker behind Baun and Dean. Still, he should earn playing time in three linebacker sets, and a rookie season with around 60 tackles and two to three sacks is a reasonable projection.
Looking ahead to 2026, Campbell could step into a starting role. Nakobe Dean is set to become a free agent after the season, and if he departs, Campbell would be the likely replacement. His versatility, athleticism, and coverage ability make him a strong long-term fit in Philadelphia’s defensive plans.