Howie Roseman just can't help himself. Honestly, if there is a phone within arm’s reach and a draft clock ticking, the Philadelphia Eagles' general manager is going to make a move. We saw it again during the 2025 NFL Draft, starting with that late Thursday night jump. Moving up exactly one spot—from 32 to 31—to snag Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell felt like a classic "Roseman" flex.
It also broke a 46-year curse.
The Eagles hadn't taken an off-ball linebacker in the first round since Jerry Robinson back in 1979. For decades, the philosophy in Philly was basically: "Linebackers? We'll find 'em in the trash pile or trade a fifth-rounder for a vet." But after watching the middle of their defense get shredded in previous seasons, the front office finally pivoted. They didn't just pick a linebacker; they picked a guy who led the Crimson Tide with 117 tackles and 11.5 tackles for loss in 2024.
He's a local kid, too. Campbell is from Erial, New Jersey. Coming home to play for the Birds is the kind of narrative that sells jerseys, but he’s here to hit people. Hard.
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Breaking Down the 2025 Eagles Draft Picks
This wasn't a draft for the fantasy football fans. If you were looking for a shiny new wide receiver to complement A.J. Brown or a lightning-fast running back to spell Saquon Barkley, you probably ended the weekend feeling a little bored. The Eagles drafted zero offensive skill players. No receivers. No tight ends. No backs.
Instead, they built a wall.
The strategy was clear: solidify the spine of the defense and replenish the aging offensive line. After the Campbell pick, Roseman stayed put at 64 to grab Texas safety Andrew Mukuba. Mukuba is an interesting case because he’s a Clemson transfer who found his swagger in the SEC. He’s got that "versatility" tag that defensive coordinator Vic Fangio drools over—he can play the post, but he’s also sticky enough to cover the slot.
The Day 3 Trench Warfare
When Saturday rolled around, the Eagles went to work on the big boys.
- Ty Robinson (DT, Nebraska): Pick 111. He’s 6-foot-5, 310 pounds, and a former wrestler. You can’t teach that kind of hand-fighting. He’s a "throwback" player who fits the 5-technique role perfectly.
- Drew Kendall (C, Boston College): Pick 168. NFL pedigree matters in this building. His dad is Pete Kendall. With Jason Kelce in the rearview mirror, you can never have enough high-IQ centers.
- Myles Hinton (OT, Michigan): Pick 191. Another legacy. His dad, Chris Hinton, was a seven-time Pro Bowler. Myles is a massive human being (6'7", 320+) who helped Michigan win a national title.
- Cameron Williams (OT, Texas): Pick 207. A massive frame with high upside. There’s already talk about him potentially moving inside to guard, similar to what the team did with Mekhi Becton.
It's sorta funny. The Eagles spent the end of the draft picking guys whose dads probably played against the guys currently coaching them. It’s a very specific "type" of prospect that Roseman and offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland seem to favor lately.
The Kyle McCord Gamble
Maybe the most "Philly" moment of the entire draft was the selection of Kyle McCord at pick 181.
McCord is a Syracuse product by way of Ohio State. He grew up in Mount Laurel, just across the bridge. He went to St. Joe’s Prep. He was teammates with Marvin Harrison Jr. and current Eagles linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr.
Is he going to challenge Jalen Hurts? No.
But the backup QB spot in Philadelphia is practically a sacred office. After the Eagles traded for Kenny Pickett and experimented with Tanner McKee, drafting a pure passer like McCord in the sixth round is a low-risk move with high local interest. He’s the first Syracuse player drafted by the Eagles since Donovan McNabb in 1999. If he can just become a reliable holder and a guy who can win a "must-have" game in December if Hurts gets dinged up, that's a massive win for a sixth-round selection.
Why the Secondary Still Feels "Crowded"
Adding Andrew Mukuba and UCF corner Mac McWilliams (Pick 145) to a room that already features Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean is a flex. It’s an admission that you can never have enough defensive backs in a league where everyone throws 40 times a game.
McWilliams is "chippy." That’s the word scouts keep using. He’s not the biggest guy on the field, but he plays like he’s 220 pounds. He’ll likely battle for a special teams role and backup slot duties behind DeJean. Honestly, it's a tough roster to crack right now, which is a good problem to have.
The Forgotten Steal: Antwaun Powell-Ryland
Don’t sleep on the final pick at 209.
Antwaun Powell-Ryland from Virginia Tech is a pure pass-rush specialist. He’s a bit undersized for a traditional defensive end, but in Fangio’s 3-4 look, he’s a "stand-up" outside linebacker who can just pin his ears back and go. He had a 17% pressure rate last year. In the sixth round, you’re looking for one elite trait. His is a lightning-fast 10-yard split.
What This Means for the 2025 Season
The 2025 Eagles draft picks tell a story of a team that realized its defense was getting too old and too slow. By double-dipping at linebacker with Jihaad Campbell and Georgia’s Smael Mondon Jr. (Pick 161), they’ve essentially rebuilt the second level of the defense in 48 hours.
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Mondon is an interesting flyer. He’s had some injury issues—stress fractures in his foot—but when he’s healthy, he’s a sideline-to-sideline burner. Pairing him with Nakobe Dean and Campbell gives the Eagles the most athletic linebacker room they've had in a generation.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Watch the Right Guard Battle: Keep an eye on Cameron Williams during training camp. If he can kick inside, he might be the dark horse to start.
- The "Legacy" Factor: Both Kendall and Hinton aren't just big bodies; they grew up in NFL locker rooms. Expect them to be "Stoutland University" favorites who stick on the roster as high-end depth.
- Linebacker Rotations: Don't expect Jihaad Campbell to play 100% of the snaps immediately. Vic Fangio loves to rotate, but Campbell’s ability to rush the passer from an off-ball position makes him a lock for third-down packages.
This class wasn't flashy. It didn't give the "fantasy" crowd anything to talk about. But it gave the Philadelphia Eagles exactly what they needed: youth, violence on defense, and a lot of very large men to protect Jalen Hurts for the next five years.