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Eagles Get Great Value at No. 32 With Jihaad Campbell From Alabama

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Scott Salomon | Last updated May 9, 2025 6:05 PM ET

Former Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Jihaad Campbell was rated as the Philadelphia Eagles' best value pick of the 2025 NFL Draft despite the fact he was taken in the first round.

The Athletic ranked the best value pick for each team and Campbell was the overwhelming choice for the Eagles.

According to Brooks Kubena, it was borderline unfair to get a player of Campbell's size and skill with the last pick of the first round. But if not for his health concerns, he would have been a top 10 pick.

"The Eagles believe they acquired Campbell at a considerable bargain. Howie Roseman said the Alabama linebacker was a “top-10 player” on their draft board," Kubena said. "Health concerns prompted Campbell’s fall but the Eagles accepted both the risk of Campbell’s injury history and the uncertainty of just when he will be available for football activities."

Roseman has always been good at finding value in the Eagles recent draft history.

This is the first time since 1979 the Eagles invested a first-round pick in a linebacker.

"The payoff could be substantial. Campbell’s size (6-foot-2, 235 pounds), speed (19.45 mph shuffle sprint) and physicality make him one of the most athletic defenders in the draft," Kubena concluded.

Campbell will lineup off the ball as an outside linebacker, but will also put his hands in the dirt and play defensive end. Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio can move him around the line of scrimmage and watch him wreak havoc in opposing teams' backfields.

There is no doubt that Campbell is a pass-rushing monster. But for rumors of a shoulder injury, he would have heard his name called in the upper portion of the draft.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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