Eagles trade up to No. 31 overall to select LB Jihaad Campbell

The Eagles traded up one pick, swapping picks with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Philly sent KC the 32nd overall pick along with No. 164 to move up one spot. With the 31st overall pick, the Eagles selected…

Eagles take Jihaad Campbell after trading up one spot

Jihaad Campbell to the Eagles.

— Zach Berman (@ZBerm) April 25, 2025

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Pretty surprising pick here, especially if Campbell ends up playing off-ball linebacker.

The Eagles added another chess piece to their defense by selecting Jihaad Campbell, a hybrid linebacker out of Alabama with freakish athleticism and the versatility to line up just about anywhere. A four-star recruit turned impact player in the SEC, Campbell fits the mold of what the Eagles have quietly been building on defense: rangy, explosive athletes who can fly around and make plays from multiple spots. He’s the kind of player defensive coordinators dream about when they want to disguise pressure or show multiple looks without subbing personnel.

Campbell’s alignment versatility is going to be a weapon for Vic Fangio. Whether he’s at stack backer, blitzing through the A-gap, or coming off the edge as a pass rusher, Campbell brings value on every down. He’s instinctual in the run game and has sideline-to-sideline range that jumps off the film. That length and athleticism allow him to play with good leverage on the edge, lock out offensive linemen, and funnel everything back inside — a perfect trait for someone who might be tasked with setting the edge in Fangio’s odd fronts.

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In coverage, Campbell brings a lot to the table for a linebacker. He reads route combinations well and uses his length to take away throwing lanes. He’s not just some edge rusher who’s lost when he drops back — he’s actually effective at taking away the middle of the field and can even create turnovers. And when he’s asked to rush the passer, he’s got a lightning-fast first step that gives slower-footed linemen fits. The Eagles love mixing in creative blitz packages, and Campbell gives them another explosive option to throw at opposing quarterbacks.

Where he’ll need to grow is in finishing plays. His frame is tall and lean, and he tends to play too upright, which limits his power as a tackler. There’s some concern about his ability to bring guys down consistently — too often he’s grabbing and dragging instead of delivering the hit. Still, that’s something that can be cleaned up with NFL coaching.

Bottom line: Campbell gives the Eagles another hybrid defender who can thrive in multiple roles, and his upside as both a coverage linebacker and pass rusher makes him one of the more exciting picks in this draft class.