Eagles bet against the odds and make a familiar gamble with defender who could become a Pro Bowler in first round of the draft
The Philadelphia Eagles' first-round pick of the 2025 NFL Draft is in. After trading up one stop with the Kansas City Chiefs, the Eagles selected Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell at No. 31 overall. Campbell comes to Philly with huge upside with a slight risk. The former Alabama star has been dealing with a serious shoulder […]
The Philadelphia Eagles' first-round pick of the 2025 NFL Draft is in.
After trading up one stop with the Kansas City Chiefs, the Eagles selected Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell at No. 31 overall.
Campbell comes to Philly with huge upside with a slight risk.
The former Alabama star has been dealing with a serious shoulder injury that impacted his pre-draft process. In the 2024 season, Campbell led the Crimson Tide with 117 tackles and earned First-Team All-SEC recognition. He then turned heads at the NFL Scouting Combine with a 4.52-second 40-yard dash and an impressive 10-foot, 7-inch broad jump. Unfortunately, after those standout performances, he was diagnosed with a torn labrum in his left shoulder and underwent immediate surgery.
This gamble of a pick is all too similar to when the Eagles selected Nolan Smith in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft after he had surgery on a torn pectoral muscle.
However, the risky pick ultimately worked out in Philly's favor, considering Smith finished this past regular season with 42 tackles, including 6.5 sacks, and played a significant role in the Eagles' 40-22 Super Bowl LIX victory over the Chiefs.
The hope now is that the same can be said about Campbell years from now, though that shouldn't be a problem.
Jihaad Campbell Scouting Report
Linebacker, Alabama
Hometown: Gloucester Township, New Jersey
21 years old (02/24/2004)
A to Z Sports Expected Draft Position: 12
Pre-Draft Round Projection: 1
"They don't make linebackers like Jihaad Campbell anymore. He has the requisite size to be a good run defender and the high-end athleticism to be good in coverage. A five-star prospect at edge defender out of New Jersey, the Crimson Tide actually had him play off-ball linebacker, which was a very smart decision. Campbell can be a thumper against the run game, stick with receiving threats vertically or over the middle, and offers some upside as a pass rusher in certain situations. You don't get that kind of combination anymore. Overall, Campbell has a skill set that could propel him to All-Pro status if he realizes his potential," – Tyler Forness, A to Z Sports NFL Draft analyst
Career Projection: Pro Bowl Potential
