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Eagles add local linebacker in latest mock draft
Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell grew up in Erial, New Jersey, a small town roughly 20 miles south of Philadelphia. According to one NFL expert, he’ll be coming home in the 2025 NFL Draft.
ESPN’s Field Yates predicts the Eagles will take Campbell 32nd overall, assuming general manager Howie Roseman doesn’t trade the pick as he’s been known to do. Roseman may not remember Campbell playing wide receiver at nearby Timber Creek High School, but if not he’s certainly aware of what the 6-foot-3, 244-pound linebacker did at Alabama.
Jihaad Campbell... HS WR. Normal stuff lol
— Ben Fennell (@BenFennell_NFL) January 23, 2025
Campbell finished up at IMG (originally from NJ - Timber Creek HS, Syracuse QB Donovan Leary at QB here - younger bro of Devin), but when you get these freakshows at regular public schools - they can literally play every position pic.twitter.com/CoRpuwJQ3z
Used primarily on special teams as a freshman, Campbell had just one tackle in nine games in 2022 but had 66 tackles and an interception in 2023. He led the team with 119 tackles (55 solo) on his way to a first team All-SEC recognition in 2024 while registering five sacks, two forced fumbles and another interception.
Yates calls Campbell, “the best inside linebacker in the class” with sideline-to-sideline range that shows up against both the run and the pass. Actually, that sounds a lot like the team’s current middle linebacker.
After signing a one-year, $3.5M contract to join Philadelphia last offseason, Zack Baun led the team with 151 tackles in the regular season, 33 in the postseason and was named as a finalist for Defensive Player of the Year.
Now a free agent, Baun is clearly in line for a huge pay raise, one that the team may not be able to afford while carrying $29M in dead money against next year’s cap. Factor in the patellar tendon injury that prematurely ended Nakobe Dean’s 2024 season and Philadelphia could find itself in desperate need of Campbell’s services next year.
Of course, a player of Campbell’s caliber may not make it to the end of the first round. Analysts at Pro Football Focus believe he’s more likely to be taken by Dallas (12), Seattle (18) or Tampa Bay (19) in the draft but rest assured if the Eagles believe Campbell is their guy, Roseman will find a way to get him.
More must-reads:
- Five reasons why Eagles will repeat as Super Bowl champions
- Saquon Barkley had awesome message for Cooper DeJean after pick-six
- The 'Multiple 30-TD pass NFL seasons' quiz
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Micah Parsons has savage response to Packers' loss to Browns
The Green Bay Packers are reeling after they blew a 10-0 lead at the start of the fourth quarter on Sunday. The Packers allowed the Cleveland Browns to score 13 unanswered points to win 13-10 in front of 65,470 fans at Huntington Bank Field. Following the game, defensive end Micah Parsons had a crude response to the comeback. "Sometimes, just like today, you s--- the bed," Parsons said via ESPN. "That's just the reality of it. It happens to the best teams. Even the best Super Bowl champs make mistakes, and they pay for it early. You go back to the history of the champions and who've they've played and games they should've won. It's just that competitive. "It's that hard to win. It's hard as hell to win football games. When you win football games, it's a celebration. But when you lose, it sucks." What went wrong for the Packers in loss to Browns Parsons and the Packers had a couple of major blunders in the final minute that they want back. Green Bay kicker Brandon McManus had a blocked field goal attempt that allowed the Browns a chance to get in range for a game-winning field goal. Parsons was called for a neutral zone infraction on the first play of the Browns' drive, allowing Cleveland to start the series from the Green Bay 48-yard line with 21 seconds remaining. Parsons apologized for the penalty, calling it "unacceptable." The All-Pro finished with two tackles. Parsons has extra motivation for avenging the loss against the Browns. The Packers are set to travel to play his former team, the Dallas Cowboys, on "Sunday Night Football" in Week 4.
Bills' Josh Allen could be in some hot water with the NFL for what he was caught doing during the Week 3 win vs. Dolphins
The Buffalo Bills defeated the Miami Dolphins on 'Thursday Night Football' to remain undefeated on the season. With losses by the New England Patriots and New York Jets on Sunday, the Bills sit atop the division with a showdown against the New Orleans Saints in Week 4. While quarterback Josh Allen didn't put on his Superman cape with more than 400 yards of total offense, he was methodical and surgical, cutting through the Dolphins' defense en route to yet another victory over the divisional rivals. Allen made history in the contest, becoming the fastest player to reach 300 career touchdowns, including the postseason, but it wasn't all good news coming out of One Bills Drive in the victory. After taking a hit from Dolphins linebacker Jordyn Brooks that resulted in a penalty and gave Buffalo a first down, Allen appeared to make a finger-gun gesture immediately after. While it may seem harmless, it's one of the biggest points of emphasis from the NFL heading into the season. Allen wasn't even flagged on the play, but that doesn't mean that the league won't come down on him for the celebration. Fast facts about Josh Allen's previous NFL fines 2019 - fined $7,017 for throwing the ball into the stands against the Miami Dolphins. 2021 - fined $15,000 after flicking the ball at a Kansas City Chiefs defender after a sack 2023 - fined $10,927 for pointing at a Cincinnati Bengals defender during a touchdown run The NFL is taking a hard stance on gun-related celebrations The NFL has expressed its intention to limit unsportsmanlike gestures during the game, specifically those that include shooting or brandishing a gun. NFL officiating rules analyst Walt Anderson opened up on the new initiative in August. "Unsportsmanlike gestures like simulating or either shooting a gun or brandishing a gun, or inappropriate gestures like a throat slash, or unfortunate sexual gestures, those were up 133% so that is a point of emphasis." - Walt Anderson According to CBS Sports, Falcons wide receiver Drake London was fined $14,069 for appearing to shoot a large gun, New York Jets receiver Allen Lazard was fined the same amount after getting a first down in Week 4 of the 2024 season, and Bengals receiver Ja'Marr Chase was fined $19,697 for appearing to unholster a gun in a touchdown celebration last season as well. If Allen is fined, the NFL would need to make the official announcement along with its reasoning by Saturday, Sept. 27.
Details emerge on injury to Cowboys star wide receiver
The Dallas Cowboys’ defense endured another poor outing in Week 3. The team’s efforts to rebound will likely include a shorthanded unit on offense. CeeDee Lamb exited the Week 3 loss against the Bears with an ankle injury and did not return. It became clear afterwards that further testing would be needed to determine the severity of his injury. The All-Pro wideout now looks to be in line to miss time. “Certainly, he’s got a high ankle sprain and every one of those are different,” Cowboys COO Stephen Jones said of Lamb during a Monday appearance on 105.3 The Fan, via ESPN’s Todd Archer. “We’d love to have him back for Green Bay but at the same time we also got to understand the injury is what it is and we’ll play it out.” The Cowboys will play the Packers in Week 4, so Jones’ comments leave the door open to Lamb managing to avoid any missed time. Based on the reports which have emerged Monday afternoon, however, it appears far more likely Dallas will be without him for a short stretch. A timeline of two to four weeks is being considered internally, as first reported by Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News. Since then, both Archer and WFAA’s Ed Werder have pointed to an absence between three and four weeks. Provided those are accurate, Lamb can be considered a lock to at least miss the Cowboys’ upcoming game against a Green Bay defense featuring Micah Parsons. Injured reserve is not being considered in this case, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. As such, Lamb is eligible to return at any time without needing to miss a stretch of four games or longer. The four-time Pro Bowler being back at full strength will be critical for the Cowboys’ offense, of course. On the other hand, it would be sensible to proceed with caution while managing Lamb’s injury. That could especially be true with George Pickens in the fold. Pickens will be counted on to operate as Dallas’ top pass-catching option until Lamb is healthy. It will be interesting to see when that will prove to be the case as the Cowboys aim to improve on their 1-2 start.
Maxx Crosby’s anger caught on camera during ugly Raiders loss to Commanders
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby didn’t hide his disappointment Sunday after Washington Commanders wide receiver Luke McCaffrey was left wide open for a touchdown late, and cameras caught Crosby shaking his head in frustration. Crosby looked visibly upset as the cameras caught him mouthing, “he was wide open,” after the TD as he sat on the bench. The Raiders dropped the game 41-24 at Northwest Stadium, a matchup that exposed holes in all three of Las Vegas’ phases. The Commanders hit big plays early and kept applying pressure. Washington quarterback Marcus Mariota, filling in for the injured Jayden Daniels, threw for 207 yards with a touchdown and added 40 yards on the ground with another score. McCaffrey’s highlight came with 2:05 left in the fourth when Mariota found him for a 43-yard touchdown, putting the game out of reach. That play visibly frustrated Crosby, who felt the defensive coverage broke down. Raiders quarterback Geno Smith had a tough day. He threw for 289 yards and three touchdowns, but was sacked five times, and the offensive line repeatedly failed to contain Washington’s pass rush. On the other side, Tre Tucker was almost single-handedly keeping Las Vegas in it early, catching eight passes for 145 yards and scoring all three Raiders touchdowns, one of which was a 61-yard bomb. The Commanders piled up big play after big play. Deebo Samuel set the tone with a 69-yard kickoff return. Jeremy McNichols rumbled 60 yards for a touchdown late in the first half to help Washington seize momentum. Jaylin Lane added a 90-yard punt return touchdown in the third quarter. Crosby’s visible anger wasn’t just about one play. It reflected the Raiders’ broader breakdowns, busted assignments, missed tackles, and explosive plays given up. As Las Vegas drops to 1-2 on the season, moments like the McCaffrey touchdown are going to sting. Win or lose, fans and teammates expect more discipline. For Crosby, who has made a reputation for relentless effort, this was one of those games that tests composure. And judging by his reaction, he knows it.
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