Who is Jihaad Campbell, the Philadelphia Eagles’ first pick in the 2025 NFL draft?

The Philadelphia Eagles traded up and chosen Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell with the thirty first general choose within the 2025 NFL draft on Thursday night time. 

The Eagles jumped one spot in a take care of the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs to choose Campbell. The Birds despatched their authentic first-round choose at No. 32 general and No. 164 general (fifth-round choose) for the thirty first choose within the deal.

Who’s Jihaad Campbell? 

Campbell will be a part of an Eagles protection that was ranked No. 1 final season of their first 12 months underneath Vic Fangio and received the Tremendous Bowl. 

Campbell led Alabama with 117 whole tackles in 2024, together with 11.5 tackles for loss. He additionally had 5 sacks, three passes defended, two compelled fumbles and an interception en path to incomes First-Staff All-SEC honors. 

Campbell grew up in South Jersey. He is from Erial in Camden County and performed at Timber Creek Regional Excessive for 3 seasons earlier than transferring to IMG Academy in Florida.   

CBS Sports had Campbell ranked because the second-best linebacker within the draft and a high 15 prospect, however he possible slipped within the draft attributable to damage considerations. 

Campbell is recovering from a torn labrum, however he needs to be prepared by coaching camp, according to NFL Network. 

The Eagles had a necessity at linebacker getting into the draft with Nakobe Dean anticipated to overlook time with a knee damage, so Campbell might begin alongside Zack Baun to start the 2025 season.

Campbell is the primary linebacker the Eagles have picked within the first spherical since they took linebacker Jerry Robinson from UCLA in 1979. 

Campbell is newest Alabama participant to be chosen by Eagles

The Eagles have been no stranger to deciding on Alabama gamers within the draft during the last a number of seasons.

Within the 2023 NFL draft, the Birds picked offensive lineman Tyler Steen within the third spherical and added cornerback Eli Ricks as an undrafted free agent following the draft.

Two years earlier than that, the Eagles added broad receiver DeVonta Smith within the first spherical and offensive guard Landon Dickerson within the second spherical. 

Within the 2020 NFL draft, the Eagles picked quarterback Jalen Hurts, who performed at Alabama and Oklahoma in faculty.

Howie Roseman makes one other commerce in NFL draft

Eagles basic supervisor Howie Roseman likes to wheel and deal within the NFL draft, and he continued that within the first spherical on Thursday night time in a take care of the Chiefs to pick out Campbell. 

According to NFL Network, the Eagles tried to commerce up a number of occasions for Campbell on the finish of the primary spherical. The Birds thought they’d a take care of the Los Angeles Chargers, however they ended up buying and selling with Kansas Metropolis a number of picks later.

The Eagles have been affected person in final 12 months’s draft, however they’ve traded up a number of occasions within the first spherical during the last a number of years to get their man. 

In 2023, the Eagles additionally moved up one spot to choose defensive deal with Jalen Carter. One 12 months earlier, they moved a pair spots to choose defensive deal with Jordan Davis. 

In 2021, the Birds jumped the New York Giants to choose broad receiver DeVonta Smith, they usually traded up a number of spots within the first-round of the 2019 NFL draft to choose offensive deal with Andre Dillard.

What positions do the Eagles have to draft in 2025?  

Listed below are the Eagles’ fundamental positions of want within the 2025 NFL draft:

• Proper guard
• Tight finish
• Defensive position
• Security

What are the Eagles’ remaining draft picks for 2025?

• Spherical 2: sixty fourth general
• Spherical 3: 96th general
• Spherical 4: 134th general
• Spherical 5: 161st general (from the Houston Texans)
• Spherical 5: one hundred and sixty fifth general (from the Washington Commanders)
• Spherical 5: 168th general