The Linc - “Jihaad Campbell’s skill set is much more suited to off-ball linebacker than on the edge”

Philadelphia Eagles news and links for 5/9/25.

Let’s get to the Philadelphia Eagles links …

Projecting first-year roles for each of the Eagles’ 10 rookie draft picks – PhillyVoice
Round 1: LB Jihaad Campbell: I suppose the first question that should be asked about Campbell is, “Where is he going to play?” Campbell was recruited as an edge rusher out of high school, but he moved to linebacker at Bama, with some occasional reps on the edge. He has prototypical off-ball linebacker size at 6’3, 235. Change his position to edge defender, and, well, he doesn’t. As you can see, 99 percent of NFL edge rushers would outweigh him, 78 percent would be taller, and 92 percent would have longer arms. He does not have ideal size traits on the edge. I also thought the following video by Ted Nguyen did a nice job of highlighting Campbell’s strengths and weaknesses. Notably, one of his strengths is in coverage. Nguyen concluded — and I agree — that Campbell’s skill set is much more suited to off-ball linebacker than on the edge. It’s not that long. Just five minutes. It’s worth a the watch if you didn’t see it in our draft grades. However, because Campbell possesses that Zack Baun-like OBLB/EDGE versatility, he’s yet another player in the Eagles’ defense who can allow Fangio to get creative in his scheme disguises.

.@FDuffyNFL on Jihaad Campbell’s role on the #Eagles:

“My understanding, from conversations I’ve had in the last few days, is that it’s going to be [off-ball] linebacker first and then we’ll see what happens from there.”@PHLY_Eagles

— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) April 29, 2025

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Eagles drafted a next-generation linebacker in Jihaad Campbell: Mike Mayock Q&A – Inquirer
Q: Do you think he’ll start in the off-ball linebacker room, or do you think they’ll cross-train him also with the edge guys with assistant Jeremiah Washburn? A: I think he starts as an off-the-ball linebacker, but I think when they’re doing individual pass-rush drills and things like that, he’s going to get some reps because he’s raw and he needs reps. When he stands up in the “A” gap, he’s too quick and athletic for the centers and guards and they’ll run a lot of twists and stunts with him coming around Jalen Carter or vice versa to free him inside or to free Jalen Carter. But they can line him up outside. I expect him to come along quickly.

2025 NFL draft: Best rookie team fits, perfect landing spots – ESPN
Jihaad Campbell, LB, Philadelphia Eagles. Drafted: Round 1, No. 31. Why he fits: We know Campbell can play off-ball as a stack linebacker. The ability to fit the run game is there. But I also see the speed and coverage awareness to get to depth and close on the ball in a hurry as a zone defender. Campbell can blitz, too. Every single one of those traits helps Vic Fangio’s defense at the second level. Campbell can be more than a traditional linebacker in Philly. Like Zack Baun last season, Campbell has the physical skills to set an edge against the run. He can also align as an outside linebacker to rush the passer, using his first-step quickness and lower-body flexibility to run the hoop. Campbell has serious upside in this defense.

Eagles depth chart following the 2025 NFL Draft: Defense edition – BGN
By virtue of being so incredibly awesome as a first-team All-Pro last season, Baun could be poised for some kind of step back in 2025. And yet … that was his first year playing a new position in an entirely brand new system. Campbell is reportedly beginning his NFL career at off-ball linebacker. It remains to be seen when he’ll be ready to practice but the 2025 first-round pick has the potential to start if/when he’s healthy. It’s not yet clear when Dean will be able to play this season after suffering a serious knee injury in the playoffs. Dean might be a candidate for the PUP list, which would require him to miss at least the Eagles’ first four games. Trot Jr. will try to push for a starting spot but he might more realistically be Oren Burks’ replacement as a top backup linebacker (until Dean is healthy, at least) and special teams contributor. Mondon Jr. is also competing for that Burks role. Gant and Dixon could be fighting for a spot on the practice squad.

GMFB: Brandon Graham looks back at Eagles’ 2024 Super Bowl season – PE.com
Two-time Super Bowl Champion defensive end Brandon Graham joins NFL Network’s GMFB to reflect on his 15th and final season, which ended with a World Championship.

One last offseason move for every NFC team – PFF
Philadelphia Eagles: Sign a familiar face as a depth safety: Following the trade of C.J. Gardner-Johnson, the Eagles addressed the safety position in the draft by selecting Andrew Mukuba, a dynamic option for the back end. However, the defense could use more depth at the position. Justin Simmons is one potential solution. Although he’s never played for Philadelphia, Simmons is well-acquainted with Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, who coached for three seasons in Denver. Over that span, Simmons enjoyed the best seasons of his career, earning a pair of All-Pro nods and posting the highest PFF overall grade of his career (90.8) in 2019.

Do Eagles have what it takes to become a dynasty? – NBCSP
The term “dynasty” means different things to different people. But of those teams listed above, the Chiefs went to 5 super Bowls in 6 seasons and won 3. The Patriots won 3 in 4 years and later won 3 in 5 years. The Cowboys won 3 in 4 years. The 49ers won 3 in 9 years and the Steelers of the 70s won 4 in 6 seasons. The Eagles have been twice in three years with one win. But they’re working on getting back. What has stood out about the Eagles’ offseason after winning this Super Bowl is that they’ve operated differently than the last time they won a Super Bowl off the 2017 season. The 2018 offseason was all about running it back and that process lasted into the following offseason too. This time around, the Eagles seemed better prepared to make tough decisions and they also had a younger team that could naturally be together longer. The oldest projected starter on the Eagles’ defense this year is the 28-year-old Baun.

2026 NFL Mock Draft: A Way Too Early Attempt To Set The Table For Next Spring – PHLY
32 – PHILADELPHIA EAGLES – TE KENYON SADIQ – OREGON. Two plays into watching his explosive catches from last year had me saying ‘whoa’. He has real juice at the position, and watching a handful of blocks at the point of attack he’s no slouch there either. If the rest of his film follows that trend, we have a Top 20 player on our hands. Color me excited to watch this Duck in action.

NFL Schedule Release Rumors Tracker: Washington Commanders possibly getting international game – Hogs Haven
The NFL schedule leaks, rumors, and reports should have started, and we should have most of the schedule penciled in before the Washington Commanders announce theirs at 7:45 pm on Wednesday night. The NFL will officially release the entire season’s schedule at 8 pm as part of their 2 hour release program, but will be officially announcing some games starting on Monday. The first rumored Commanders game has been reported, and it’s a big one. There was speculation that the Washington Commanders would be getting an international game, and they are rumored to be playing the Miami Dolphins in the NFL’s first game in Madrid, Spain. This would likely take them out of the Thanksgiving schedule. The report is not verified, but comes from a twitter account that usually has good information on the schedule every year.

George Pickens talks playing with CeeDee Lamb, future contract, winning culture – Blogging The Boys
Pickens was a second-round pick in 2022, making next season a contract year for him. Of course, once the trade was made, the rumblings of the Cowboys getting him signed long-term began to surface. Pickens, on the other hand, wants to prove himself first before cashing in on his first lucrative deal. “I’m not thinking about contract talk. I’m worried about coming here and trying to help build a winning culture.”

PFF names John Michael Schmitz as New York Giants’ breakout candidate – Big Blue View
Pro Football Focus recently named New York Giants center John Michael Schmitz as the team’s top breakout candidate heading into the 2025 season. After struggling through a rough rookie season in 2023, where he was graded as the lowest-ranked center in the NFL, Schmitz took a significant step forward last year. He played nearly 1,000 snaps in 2024 and climbed to 31st out of 43 centers in overall offensive grade. That might not sound like a dramatic leap, but it marks real progress for a player who was once considered a major liability. Most of Schmitz’s growth came in the run game, where he finished 17th among all centers, a big improvement from his 34th-place run-blocking rank as a rookie. He also held up better in pass protection, allowing fewer pressures even with a heavier workload. According to PFF, he gave up just one more sack than he did in 2023 despite 162 more pass-blocking snaps.

Giants first-round pick Abdul Carter to wear No. 51 after jersey number drama – NFL.com
The Abdul Carter jersey number drama is finally at an end. Carter will wear No. 51 at rookie minicamp, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Friday, per sources informed of the decision. The team later confirmed Carter’s selection, along with those of the rest of the rookie class.

Report: With Desmond Ridder backing out, Broncos are bringing in Ian Book for a veteran try out – Mile High Report
Unfortunately for Book, the Saints would end up waiving him just one year later during their final cuts leading up to the 2022 NFL season. He would be claimed by the Eagles, but once again, be waived a year later. He would have short stints with the Patriots and Chiefs before reuniting with the Eagles once again late last season. Book would land on the Eagles roster/practice squad and earn himself a Super Bowl ring as the Eagles dominated the Chiefs in the Super Bowl.

Bill Belichick and Jordon Hudson’s drama-filled UNC experience, explained – SB Nation
When the University of North Carolina decided to hire Bill Belichick the school made a choice. One to prioritize football, make winning paramount, and to push aside the antiquated “Tar Heel Way” to make a splash. That came with considerable risk of unwanted exposure, but the team went for it — now that exposure is coming back to bite them. Belichick, known for his emotionless, no-nonsense, robotic approach to football has been anything but since arriving in Chapel Hill. Instead his time in the state has been mired in rumors about his 24-year-old girlfriend Jordon Hudson being too involved in the football operations of the school, culminating this week when Pablo Torre reported that Hudson has been banned from North Carolina’s football facilities.