NFL Draft: Eagles Trade Up In First Round, Select Jihaad Campbell

The Eagles started the night with the 32nd pick in the draft.

They moved up slightly at the end of the round, trading the second of their four fifth-rounders to move up one spot and select Jihaad Campbell out of Alabama.

Eagles are using pick No. 31 on Alabama LB Jihaad Campbell. https://t.co/eQa8zvI9OT

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 25, 2025

Campbell was a consensus top-20 pick (many drafts had him in the top 15) in this year’s draft and fell through the night before the Birds moved up to get him.

All reports indicate Howie Roseman had been trying to force his way up the draft board since ick 22 to select Campbell, but they all fell through – something that ultimately helped the team out as they didn’t need to move up much at all to secure their talent.

By most evaluations, Campbell was the only linebacker with a first-round grade in this year’s draft.

The New Jersey native recorded 117 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, five sacks, an interception, three defensed passes, and a forced fumble during the 2024 season for Alabama.

He played just three seasons in college, so still needs to develop some of his football IQ and techniques, but he has fantastic speed for a linebacker (4.52 40) with a 19.45 sprint speed at the combine. That, combined with good size and instincts, should allow him to challenge for a starting role right out of the gate.

He’ll likely be in competition with Jerimiah Trotter Jr. to see who starts opposite Zack Baun with Nakobe Dean recovering from injury.

Of course, he won’t just line up as a linebacker and Vic Fangio will likely look to deploy the athletic player in a way similar to Nolan Smith and Zack Baun by randomly switching his position to keep opposing offenses guessing and bolster depth in two different areas.

NFL Draft Recap:

Draft Picks:

Jihaad Campbell (Round 1, Pick 31)

Trades:

Pick 32 + Pick 164 for Pick 31