The Eagles got a very talented player to add to Vic Fangio’s defense.
Not even Howie Roseman could believe that linebacker Jihaad Campbell fell to No. 31, but he was excited that he did. The GM reportedly tried trading up with the Chargers and several other teams to get Campbell but couldn’t get a deal done. Still, the Eagles managed to get their guy — a linebacker who is super versatile and someone Vic Fangio can help mold.
Campbell wasn’t one of the team’s Top 30 visits during the lead-up to the draft, but Roseman and Nick Sirianni called their prospect visits fact-finding endeavors, and with Campbell, maybe they didn’t need any more information. The Alabama LB is incredibly talented, and they felt comfortable with the information they had medically to move forward with him as a Top 10 guy on their board.
Here are some instant reactions about Campbell and how he might be used in Fangio’s defense:
NFC exec on Jihaad Campbell: “One of the top 10 players in the draft, without question.”
His overall medical profile coming out of Alabama was an issue for some teams. Could miss time in 2025 coming off shoulder surgery. But this is tremendous value at 31.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) April 25, 2025
“They just got my eleventh-ranked overall player with the 31st pick.”@Jordan_Reid on the @Eagles getting @AlabamaFTBL LB @RealJihaadC at the end of the first round#FlyEaglesFly | #RollTide | #NFLDraft https://t.co/VejHT1w34H
— ESPN Radio (@ESPNRadio) April 25, 2025
Howie Roseman on Jihaad Campbell:
“Really excited to have him. Wasn’t something we anticipated. […] For us, this was a real easy pick. He can play inside, he can be an edge rusher.”
“This was a top 10 player on our board. We do not have any long-term concerns about his…
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) April 25, 2025
More Howie Roseman on Jihaad Campbell:
“This wasn’t a need pick. This was a player we had tremendous passion about.”
“Very excited to get him and we didn’t want to lose him.#Eagles
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) April 25, 2025
Jihaad Campbell said he spoke to the #Eagles “like once,” and that conversation was with defensive ends/outside linebackers coach Jeremiah Washburn Jr. pic.twitter.com/Gg9hmCAxys
— EJ Smith (@EJSmith94) April 25, 2025
One last thought: I like the Eagles’ pick of Jihaad Campbell. On talent, he’s a mid-first-rounder. The medical is 100% why he fell. Had surgery on one shoulder that some teams thought would mean starting the season on PUP. And his other shoulder may need surgery after the season.…
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) April 25, 2025
#Eagles clearly saw value in drafting an off-ball linebacker where they did, because Campbell fell after shoulder surgery led to injury concerns, but he entered Alabama as an edge and it’s possible he plays there in the NFL. https://t.co/1nLZWIZyzs
— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) April 25, 2025
Eagles pick. ⬇️ https://t.co/whUGob2vIV
— Ross Tucker (@RossTuckerNFL) April 25, 2025
After trading to No. 31, the #Eagles select #Bama LB Jihaad Campbell. The player they’ve coveted all along. In fact, they nearly traded for him at the #Chargers pick.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 25, 2025
Jihaad Campbell Scouting Report:
Bio: 2 way player in high school (WR/DE). 5* recruit coming out of HS. Special teamer as a true freshman in 2022 before becoming a starter in 2023. Had a breakout season in 2024 with 117 tackles, 12 TFL, and 5 sacks, earning 2nd team All-American… pic.twitter.com/9jiyESOWRa
— Shane Haff (@ShaneHaffNFL) April 25, 2025
My comp for Jihaad Campbell was Zach Baun lol pic.twitter.com/uQlyOXW87z
— Ted Nguyen (@FB_FilmAnalysis) April 25, 2025
Jihaad Campbell actually reminds me a lot of Zack Baun. A rangey, athletic linebacker who has pass rush ability. Excited to see how Vic Fangio uses both of them in his defense.
— Dave Zangaro (@DZangaroNBCS) April 25, 2025
Jihaad Campbell: 2-year starter. 6-3, 235. Off-ball LB. Had a great combine (ran 4.52 – elite speed and broad jump). Led Alabama in tackles, TFLs, sacks, and forced fumbles last year, per @dpbrugler.
Did not think Eagles would go off-ball LB, but fun player!
— Sheil Kapadia (@SheilKapadia) April 25, 2025
Jihaad Campbell is a terrific player. I wasn’t sure the Eagles would spend a 1st on an off-ball LB. This just shows you the influence of Vic Fangio. He loves LBs. Campbell is athletic and versatile. Another weapon for the defense.
— Tommy Lawlor (@lawlornfl) April 25, 2025
The #Eagles select Jihaad Campbell at 31! 100% in MSA, PASS & EAV scores, 92% solo tackle market share. A linebacker with elite strength, speed, and playmaking ability. Philly’s D just got a game-changer! #NFLDraft #FlyEaglesFly
— Jim Cobern (@Jimetrics) April 25, 2025
The Eagles bolster their defense with Jihaad Campbell
Scouting report on Campbell via @KyleCrabbs ⤵️
• Tremendous tackler with notable striking power and an impressive wingspan
• Illustrates the ability to deconstruct blocks effectively with length as… https://t.co/2sD665Z2Pb pic.twitter.com/4OtxITmruA— The 33rd Team (@The33rdTeamFB) April 25, 2025
The Eagles got a STEAL in Jihaad Campbell pic.twitter.com/K6sZpNsJne
— PFF (@PFF) April 25, 2025
OH COME THE F ON https://t.co/2r35ZEV2uQ
— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) April 25, 2025
The Eagles in the last year have paid a running back huge money, a linebacker huge money and drafted a linebacker in the first round for the first time since Jerry Robinson in 1979.
Pretty insane turn.
— Jack Fritz (@JackFritzWIP) April 25, 2025
throwback to when Jihaad Campbell knocked Jaxson Dart’s helmet off week 4 pic.twitter.com/VqDlyjrqto
— (@_tideee) January 21, 2024
#11 Jihad Campbell is explosive. Shoots the gap and avoids the block for the TFL. pic.twitter.com/IkFukut34x
— Marcus Johnson (@TheMarcJohnNFL) March 16, 2025
A sampling of what new #Eagles LB Jihaad Campbell is bringing to the defense, as a versatile pass rusher and off ball linebacker. He was an edge rusher in high school. pic.twitter.com/HpXpYEfhFw
— Devin Jackson (@RealD_Jackson) April 25, 2025
Eagles GM Howie Roseman and owner Jeff Lurie celebrate after landing Alabama LB Jihaad Campbell.
ESPN pic.twitter.com/jdUU93JbTa
— Rob Tornoe (@RobTornoe) April 25, 2025