WATCH: Eagles land Jihaad Campbell at No. 31, Howie Roseman and Jeffrey Lurie were HYPE in the Draft Room

Not even Howie Roseman could wrap his brain around it — Jihaad Campbell, sitting there at No. 31, just waiting to get scooped up.

The Eagles’ GM reportedly tried everything he could to move up and grab the Alabama linebacker earlier in the night, calling the Chargers and a handful of other teams trying to swing a deal. No one budged.

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

Somehow, someway, Campbell still fell into Philly’s lap at 31 — and when the clock hit zero, Roseman didn’t even hesitate. You can watch the moment here, with Howie and Jeffrey Lurie looking like two guys who just won the lottery.

Howie Roseman and Jeffrey Lurie after landing Jihaad Campbell:

Eagles GM Howie Roseman and owner Jeff Lurie celebrate after landing Alabama LB Jihaad Campbell.

🎥 ESPN pic.twitter.com/jdUU93JbTa

— Rob Tornoe (@RobTornoe) April 25, 2025

Howie and Lurie reaction

It’s pretty wild because Campbell wasn’t even one of the Eagles’ Top-30 visits during the draft process. Roseman and Nick Sirianni have said it before: not every prospect visit is about recruiting, sometimes it’s just a fact-finding mission. Clearly, when it came to Jihaad Campbell, they already knew what they needed to know.

Campbell is super versatile, explosive, and exactly the kind of linebacker that new DC Vic Fangio can mold into a monster. He checks every box the Eagles want: athletic, instinctive, smart, and — maybe most importantly — he’s healthy. Roseman reportedly said Campbell was a Top 10 guy on Philly’s draft board.

Once again, Howie pulls a rabbit out of the hat. Somehow the rest of the NFL let him get away with it and the reactions from the “national media” were priceless.

After trading to No. 31, the #Eagles select #Bama LB Jihaad Campbell. The player they've coveted all along. In fact, they nearly traded for him at the #Chargers pick.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 25, 2025

One last thought: I like the Eagles’ pick of Jihaad Campbell. On talent, he’s a mid-first-rounder. The medical is 100% why he fell. Had surgery on one shoulder that some teams thought would mean starting the season on PUP. And his other shoulder may need surgery after the season.…

— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) April 25, 2025

OH COME THE F ON https://t.co/2r35ZEV2uQ

— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) April 25, 2025

The Eagles got a STEAL in Jihaad Campbell 🦅 pic.twitter.com/K6sZpNsJne

— PFF (@PFF) April 25, 2025

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