PHILADELPHIA — So much for the notion that the Eagles don’t prioritize linebackers.
After turning Zack Baun from an overlooked edge rusher into an All-Pro off-ball linebacker — and rewarding him with a $51 million contract — the Eagles doubled down at the position by selecting Alabama standout and South Jersey native Jihaad Campbell with the 31st overall pick in Thursday night’s NFL Draft.
Campbell becomes the first true linebacker drafted in the first round by Philadelphia since Jerry Robinson in 1979.
The Eagles traded up one spot to secure Campbell, sending a fifth-round pick (No. 164) to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Still just 20 years old, Campbell was widely considered the top linebacker in this year’s draft class. He racked up 117 tackles for Alabama last season, earning second-team All-American honors before declaring early for the draft.
PHILADELPHIA — Jihaad Campbell is coming home.
The Eagles selected the Alabama linebacker — and South Jersey native — with the 31st overall pick in Thursday night’s NFL Draft, capping a night of uncertainty that saw many of Philadelphia’s top defensive line targets come off the board early. To secure Campbell, the Eagles traded a fifth-round pick (No. 164) to the Kansas City Chiefs to move up one spot.
Campbell starred at Timber Creek Regional High School as a versatile edge rusher and off-ball linebacker before transferring to Florida’s IMG Academy for his senior year. Though originally committed to Clemson, he ultimately chose Alabama and the SEC, arriving as an edge defender before transitioning off the ball — the role he’s expected to play in Philadelphia.
That hybrid skill set was a key draw for a team looking to inject talent alongside newly extended linebacker Zack Baun. With Nakobe Dean rehabbing from a patellar tendon injury, Jeremiah Trotter Jr. still unproven, and Ben VanSumeren recovering from a knee injury (and listed as a fullback), the Eagles’ need at linebacker was clear. Oren Burks also departed in free agency, further thinning the depth chart.
Campbell, who turned heads with 117 tackles last season and earned second-team All-American honors, entered the draft widely regarded as one of the top linebackers available. Though once projected to go higher, his stock slipped after undergoing shoulder surgery in March due to an injury sustained during Alabama’s bowl game.
That didn’t deter Eagles general manager Howie Roseman, who said the team had Campbell graded as one of the top 10 players on their board.
“For us, this was an easy pick,” Roseman said. “Real explosive player. He can play inside, be an edge rusher. Just really feel fortunate to bring him home back to Philly.”
Roseman also downplayed any long-term concerns about Campbell’s health.
“We have a lot of confidence this guy is going to be here and play at a really high level for a long time.”
While linebacker wasn’t necessarily the most expected direction for the Eagles — especially with glaring holes at edge rusher and defensive tackle — the board didn’t fall in their favor. Seven of the first 16 picks were defensive linemen, and many of Philadelphia’s reported targets were scooped up quickly.
Ole Miss defensive tackle Walter Nolen went 16th to Arizona and former Eagles defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon. Texas A&M’s Shemar Stewart was picked 17th by Cincinnati, and Oregon’s Derrick Harmon soon followed. Even potential late-first-round options like Tennessee edge rusher James Pearce Jr. and Georgia safety Malaki Starks were off the board before the Eagles could pounce.
With the top-tier linemen gone and loaded with future draft capital, the Eagles shifted focus — and landed a dynamic, versatile defender in Campbell who could anchor the middle of their defense for years to come.
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