- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,150,003
- Reaction score
- 59
The Philadelphia Eagles don’t often spend first-round capital on linebackers. That’s what made the selection of Jihaad Campbell feel so significant when it happened. The former Alabama Crimson Tide standout entered the league with pressure attached. He wasn't just another first-round pick. He was the first true linebacker the Eagles had taken in Round 1 since 1979. No, Nolan Smith doesn't count. He's a pass rusher, so knowing the uniqueness of Campbell's type of addition alone made him a storyline before he ever took an NFL snap.
Nearly a year later, the early reviews are encouraging. Sports Illustrated recently re-examined the first-rounders from the 2025 NFL Draft and assigned grades. Eagles fans should be very satisfied with the analysis of a star in the making.
Campbell began his rookie season as a starter, flashing the athleticism and range that made him such an intriguing prospect. His role shifted as the year progressed, particularly when Nakobe Dean returned and reclaimed snaps, but that didn’t erase what was shown early.
If anything, it added context.
Campbell wasn't overwhelmed. He wasn't exposed. He was part of a rotation, gaining experience while adjusting to the speed of the professional game. That's a much different conversation than the one surrounding past misses at the position.
There are still boxes to check. He’s working his way back from an offseason medical procedure. Consistency will be the next step in his development, but the foundation is there. That’s what matters most.
Handing Campbell a solid mark while noting there's still plenty of room for growth is fair. That combination, early contribution paired with untapped upside, is exactly what teams hope for from a first-round selection. It's why the arrow is still pointing up. The Eagles didn't just draft Campbell for what he could do immediately. They drafted him for what he can become. If his trajectory holds, this may eventually be viewed as one of the more important picks of the Philadelphia Eagles' recent draft history.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Jihaad Campbell earns an A grade after Eagles' 2025 draft day trade
Continue reading...
Nearly a year later, the early reviews are encouraging. Sports Illustrated recently re-examined the first-rounders from the 2025 NFL Draft and assigned grades. Eagles fans should be very satisfied with the analysis of a star in the making.
The Eagles' Jihaad Campbell acquisition receives an A grade one year later.
Campbell began his rookie season as a starter, flashing the athleticism and range that made him such an intriguing prospect. His role shifted as the year progressed, particularly when Nakobe Dean returned and reclaimed snaps, but that didn’t erase what was shown early.
If anything, it added context.
Campbell wasn't overwhelmed. He wasn't exposed. He was part of a rotation, gaining experience while adjusting to the speed of the professional game. That's a much different conversation than the one surrounding past misses at the position.
There are still boxes to check. He’s working his way back from an offseason medical procedure. Consistency will be the next step in his development, but the foundation is there. That’s what matters most.
Handing Campbell a solid mark while noting there's still plenty of room for growth is fair. That combination, early contribution paired with untapped upside, is exactly what teams hope for from a first-round selection. It's why the arrow is still pointing up. The Eagles didn't just draft Campbell for what he could do immediately. They drafted him for what he can become. If his trajectory holds, this may eventually be viewed as one of the more important picks of the Philadelphia Eagles' recent draft history.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Jihaad Campbell earns an A grade after Eagles' 2025 draft day trade
Continue reading...
