Philadelphia Eagles Land Steal of the First Round at No. 32 by Drafting Alabama Linebacker Jihaad Campbell
The Philadelphia Eagles have built their identity around toughness, smart drafting, and long-term vision, and with the selection of Jihaad Campbell at No. 32 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft, they once again proved why they’re one of the most consistently competitive teams in the league. Campbell, a linebacker from Alabama, brings value, versatility, and dynamic upside to an Eagles defense that has undergone some notable transitions over the past two seasons. Landing him at the end of the first round could prove to be one of the biggest steals in the draft.
Campbell was widely viewed as a fringe top-20 talent on many draft boards, with some scouts projecting him as a possible early second-rounder purely based on positional value. However, his raw athleticism, strong tackling, and ability to defend in space gave him a ceiling that very few defenders in the class could match. The fact that Philadelphia was able to sit tight at No. 32 and still land him is a testament to their disciplined approach and belief in building from the front seven out.
At Alabama, Campbell developed under the watchful eye of Nick Saban and later Kalen DeBoer, gaining invaluable experience in one of college football’s most demanding environments. He earned a starting role during the 2023 season and blossomed into a legitimate defensive playmaker in 2024. What sets him apart from many of his peers is his ability to both cover tight ends in man-to-man situations and rush the passer effectively when sent on blitz packages. That kind of flexibility is rare and makes him an ideal fit for the modern NFL defense, where versatility is more prized than ever.
Philadelphia’s need at linebacker has been quietly growing over the past couple of years. With veterans aging and past free agent additions offering mixed results, the position lacked both elite athleticism and long-term stability. Jihaad Campbell could be the solution to both problems. He’s fast, instinctive, and coachable, which is exactly the combination the Eagles have often targeted in their draft-day decisions.
One thing that immediately stands out on Campbell’s tape is his closing speed. Whether he’s tracking down a ball carrier or reacting to a quarterback’s movement outside the pocket, Campbell covers ground with an urgency and purpose that’s difficult to teach. That trait, combined with his 6-foot-3, 230-pound frame and high football IQ, makes him a nightmare for offensive coordinators attempting to scheme him out of plays.
Another major reason the Eagles’ selection is being praised as a value pick is Campbell’s potential to contribute early in his rookie year. Philadelphia doesn’t need to force him into an every-down role from day one, but given the nature of their linebacker room, there’s a very real chance that he plays a significant number of snaps by midseason. The Eagles have also historically rotated their linebackers frequently to keep them fresh and disguise looks, which will allow Campbell to learn the scheme without being overwhelmed.
Beyond the field, Campbell’s intangibles also align well with the culture head coach Nick Sirianni and GM Howie Roseman have cultivated in Philadelphia. He’s known as a hard worker, film junkie, and someone who sets the tone in the locker room. Former teammates and coaches at Alabama raved about his commitment to preparation and willingness to be coached. That mindset will serve him well as he transitions to the pros, especially on a team where accountability and leadership are expected, not optional.
From a schematic standpoint, Campbell’s skillset allows Philadelphia defensive coordinator Vic Fangio (or whoever takes over long-term should future changes occur) to be creative. He can operate as a traditional weakside linebacker, roam in a hybrid nickel role, or be used as a chess piece that creates confusion on passing downs. In the modern NFL, where tight ends and running backs have become legitimate receiving threats and offenses emphasize speed in space, linebackers must be able to run, cover, and think. Campbell checks all three boxes.
The draft night buzz around this pick wasn’t just about Campbell’s on-field skills — it was also about how the Eagles managed their board. Despite having chances to trade up or reach for more flashy positions like wide receiver or cornerback, the Eagles trusted their evaluations and let the board come to them. It paid off.
Additionally, many analysts were quick to point out the parallels between this pick and other recent first-round success stories in Philadelphia. Just as they took a risk with Jalen Carter in 2023 and reaped the benefits with his Pro Bowl-level play, selecting Jihaad Campbell represents a bet on upside, athletic traits, and long-term growth within a proven development system. There’s every reason to believe he could follow a similar trajectory, especially if the team puts him in a position to succeed early.
While Campbell is still refining elements of his game, including diagnosing run plays more quickly and disengaging from blocks with better technique, these are teachable areas that coaching and reps should address. With the Eagles’ excellent development staff, he’ll be in one of the best environments possible to elevate those parts of his game. His current floor as a high-motor, sideline-to-sideline tackler already gives the Eagles a noticeable improvement over some of their current depth options. The ceiling? A dynamic, every-down linebacker who could someday wear the green dot as the signal-caller of the defense.
What also adds intrigue is how this selection fits into the bigger picture of the Eagles’ roster timeline. With Jalen Hurts entrenched as the franchise quarterback and the offensive core largely locked in, defensive reinforcements were a priority. Campbell is young, under team control for at least four seasons, and fills a need at a low-cost position — all critical pieces for a team looking to balance star contracts elsewhere.
The Eagles’ front office also deserves credit for once again recognizing the value of players coming out of Alabama. There’s a trend here — Philadelphia has leaned heavily into drafting Crimson Tide alumni, banking on their pro readiness and experience in elite college systems. This strategy has paid dividends multiple times, and there’s strong confidence that Campbell will be the latest success story in that lineage.
In the post-draft press conference, Howie Roseman called Campbell “one of the most dynamic athletes on our board” and praised his instincts, versatility, and leadership. Sirianni echoed those sentiments and noted how excited the coaching staff was about Campbell’s potential to contribute right away. Those aren’t empty words — the Eagles’ brass rarely overhypes their picks unless there’s genuine belief that the player can make an impact.
For fans, the Campbell pick may not have the instant name-brand appeal of a star quarterback or skill-position player, but this is the type of draft move that good franchises make consistently — identify talent, assess value, and maximize opportunity. If Campbell develops the way the Eagles hope, he could be a cornerstone of their defense for years to come.
Of course, draft picks are projections until proven on the field. But for Philadelphia, Jihaad Campbell isn’t just a good prospect — he’s the right prospect, at the right spot, at the right time. Given the way the Eagles build through the trenches and value toughness, football IQ, and upside, Campbell is a nearly perfect fit for their system and culture.
In a league where successful teams find starters on rookie contracts and develop them into core pieces, the Eagles once again positioned themselves smartly. Jihaad Campbell may have heard his name called later than some expected, but in Philadelphia, he might have landed in the best possible situation to thrive.
This pick could look like a turning point in a few seasons — not just for Campbell’s career, but for an Eagles defense looking to reload for another Super Bowl run. Time will tell, but for now, it’s safe to say that Philadelphia got one of the biggest values of the first round.
