The Philadelphia Eagles have numerous holes to fill on their Super Bowl-winning defense as they head into the 2025 NFL Draft.
With limited cap space — which they used to bring back All-Pro linebacker Zack Baun and extend Offensive Player of the Year Saquon Barkley — the Eagles had to part ways with several key defensive players:
- Defensive end Josh Sweat (signed with Arizona Cardinals)
- Defensive tackle Milton Williams (signed with New England Patriots)
- Safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson (traded to Houston Texans)
- Cornerback Darius Slay (released and signed with Pittsburgh Steelers)
- Cornerback Isaiah Rodgers (signed with Minnesota Vikings)
- Cornerback Avonte Maddox (signed with Detroit Lions)
- Linebacker Oren Burks (signed with Cincinnati Bengals)
These departures come as general manager Howie Roseman must consider future contract extensions for All-Pro defensive tackle Jalen Carter, Pro Bowl center Cam Jurgens, and former first-round edge rusher Nolan Smith.
The Eagles did bring in several free agents on one-year deals, including cornerback Adoree’ Jackson, linebackers Azeez Ojulari and Joshua Uche, and outside linebacker Patrick Johnson. However, these stopgap signings suggest Philadelphia will look to the draft for long-term solutions.
NFL Draft insider predicts surprising first-round selection
ESPN’s Field Yates has made an unexpected projection for the Eagles with their 32nd overall pick — Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell, who earned first-team All-SEC honors in 2024.
This would mark a significant deviation from Roseman’s well-known philosophy of building from the trenches outward. Using a first-round pick on a linebacker would break a long-standing organizational pattern. Another factor complicating the projection is Campbell’s recent left shoulder surgery following the college season.
“It hurts me to see Campbell have to wait this long; he’s the final prospect on the board who ranks in my top 25,” wrote Yates. “But after recent left shoulder surgery, his health outlook for the start of his career is less clear. But this would be a classic example of the Eagles pouncing on a talented player who fell due to circumstance. Philly struck gold with a no-risk signing of Zack Baun last offseason, and the idea of a linebacker trio eventually composed of Baun, Nakobe Dean (knee) and Campbell is exciting.”
Campbell had a stellar final season at Alabama as a junior, recording 117 total tackles, 12 tackles for loss, five sacks, two pass breakups, and one interception. In 35 games across three seasons with the Crimson Tide, he accumulated 184 total tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, and two interceptions.
At the NFL Scouting Combine, Campbell ran a 4.52 40-yard dash and posted a 10-foot, seven-inch broad jump, ranking first among all linebackers with a NextGen Stats score of 82.
