Eagles Executed Patience, Avoided Shedeur Sanders Draft Drama

If Roseman’s comments were not convincing enough for fans, history should be. Campbell is just Philly’s third first-round linebacker this millennium and just their eighth ever. It is a home run pick in the minds of the Eagles front office. It may be a work in progress in 2025, but it is expected that the next genre-slipping defender has found his way back to the City of Brotherly Love.

Days 2 and 3 – Addressing the Needs

After an applauded selection on Day 1, the rest of the weekend was spent painstakingly addressing the defensive side of the football, after losing much of the room in the weeks following the Super Bowl.

Many believe the Eagles found their C.J. Gardner-Johnson replacement in second-round safety Andrew Mukuba. He runs well for his position, and if there is any wonder about his hitting ability, his blowup of Georgia’s Gunnar Stockton in the SEC Championship should clear the air.

Nebraska defensive tackle Ty Robinson, known as, “The Vanilla Gorilla,” will quickly become a fan favorite. His film is dominant, he played fullback on the goal line in college, and perhaps best of all, he has a pet camel. One of the more interesting players in the draft, he will fill a roster spot that once belonged to Milton Williams.

One SEC linebacker was not enough for Philadelphia, and they added yet another Georgia Bulldog in Smael Mondon. Originally a five-star recruit, Mondon is a player who has dealt with injury problems over the last two seasons, but is more than capable in coverage, and — stop me if it has been said before — stands out athletically. Not to mention, the Eagles got Mondon in the fifth round, despite many expecting him to be a Day 2 pick, something that has become customary for Howie Roseman in April.

The Eagles also executed five trades across the weekend. Everything after Day 1 consisted of tradebacks, perhaps frustrating for the fans sitting in anticipation of their team’s newest player. But Philadelphia made 10 picks on the weekend and now has a projected 12 selections for 2026. It is a rarity to see a contending team with as much draft capital as the Birds, and they may now use the ammunition either on the trade block or in the war room.

Did the Eagles Nearly Take Shedeur Sanders?

Shedeur Sanders stole the weekend in Green Bay, and not for good reason.

Social media erupted as quarterback after quarterback came off the board before him. An unimaginable slide left Sanders available to begin Day 3. That is when Tom Pelissero suggested that the Eagles could be a team to watch as he continued to freefall. 

That rumor became more intriguing after the Browns jumped Philadelphia to take Sanders at pick 144. The trade-up felt ironic after passing on him several times, as the Browns took Dillon Gabriel two rounds before in a shocking decision. But did Cleveland feel threatened by the Eagles at 145?

Eagles insider Jeff McLane said Philly was not targeting Sanders with that pick. Roseman continues to neither confirm nor deny that the interest existed. But Kyle McCord joining the quarterback room in the sixth round upheld any theory that the Eagles were looking to add to the position. 

It is well documented that Philadelphia prioritizes value in its selections. That strategy remained true throughout the 2025 Draft. Even so, it is still hard to locate a long-term vision for Sanders or the Eagles should they have joined forces. 

Exhibit number one rests at the infamous NFL Combine press conference for Shedeur, who remarked, “If you ain’t trying to change the franchise or the culture, don’t pick me.”

Based on the statement’s effect on his draft outlook, Sanders likely has amended his feelings by now. However, for the defending champions with a sought-after environment, his contributions to the franchise as a backup quarterback would do more harm than good.

The Eagles selected McCord a round after the Browns jumped them. The Syracuse quarterback will slide right into a backup or third-string role, with his only starting opportunities coming if Jalen Hurts misses time. It is impossible to imagine Sanders – or his father – accepting an understudy position. Based on draft day, it would be unlikely to envision a trade market to flip Sanders to another team after a year or two. The logic behind this pick does not exist, and if it is true that Philadelphia had real interest, fans should be thanking Cleveland for the leapfrog.

While the what-if scenarios are entertaining considerations, the Eagles managed to maneuver through the 2025 NFL Draft with quiet but sturdy selections. Vic Fangio will once again be tasked with developing rookies on one of the youngest defenses in the NFL. 

Picking last may not be much fun, but Philadelphia believes they hit their mark through the weekend. They’ll hope to pick last again in 2026.