The Philadelphia Eagles walked away from the NFL Draft with a plethora of new exciting prospects, but perhaps none moreso than Jihaad Campbell.
The former Alabama linebacker was selected 31st overall following a small move up by the Birds, but that trade could’ve been far more aggressive. Those dominoes didn’t fall and instead the Eagles were lucky enough to take a talent they viewed as a top-10 prospect, at the very end of the first round.
But what makes Campbell such a standout player that the Eagles tried to move up for his services earlier in the Draft, and one who is now deemed a steal since he was selected 31st overall?
After breaking down a few games of his 2024 tape on a Live Stream, it’s easy to see why both Howie Roseman and Vic Fangio fell in love.
What makes Jihaad Campbell so lethal?
Put all stats and outlandish athletic traits to the side, and what you have is a player who even in a small sample size lined up all across Bama’s defense. He played every linebacker spot, rushed the passer off the edge, and even lined up in the defensive front only to drop back in coverage. Being able to complete those tasks smoothly is one thing, to do so with complete confidence and poise is another.
Campbell is as effective rushing the passer as he is in coverage. His length jumps off the screen along with his incredible burst off the line when marauding the pocket. While he lacks the stouter base we see from most defensive ends, his ruthlessness and sheer speed make him a threat whenever he’s tasked with taking on an offensive table, and enable him to win reps even without the most polished technique.
His instincts are what really set him apart, however. Whether it’s against the run or in coverage, Campbell’s awareness is second-to-none. Campbell’s eyes remain fixed on the opposing quarterback while his footwork mirrors what his eyes are telling him. He’s elegant in positioning, can flip his hips like a DB and click-and-close like a Safety. It’s genuinely rare to see such a well-rounded player who almost takes the best of every spot on a traditional defense and blend them into one.
There were numerous instances against the run where Campbell would scrape through traffic without ever moving his eyes from the ball-carrier. Evading chip blocks, shedding contact from linemen, and darting through holes that closed around him, moving his body in a slippery fashion as if he had eyes in the back and side of his head. He displays a remarkable processing ability and one that enables him to read-and-react as well as any linebacker I’ve watched tape on over the last few years.
Sprinkle in some stern tackling and what you have is a player who can make an impact regardless of where he’s lined up. All it takes is one look at the depth chart to see just why this pick was so important to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Where will Campbell make his mark for the Eagles?
Anywhere and everywhere. The Eagles lost Josh Sweat and Brandon Graham this offseason and having a player as versatile as Campbell allows them to really open up Fangio’s playbook. Sure, Josh Uche and Azeez Ojulari will plug a hole, but the real ace up the sleeve is now a player who can do a little bit of everything depending on what the defense requires.
We’ve long seen guys like Fletcher Cox dropping into coverage – a breadcrumb of what one day could be if the Eagles were to find the right personnel to execute the more creative side of the playbook. They now have a player who they could comfortably line up at EDGE or any linebacker spot and give a myriad of responsibilities to.
If they want some extra run support, Campbell can get it done and scrape an offensive line as good as anyone. If they need some extra coverage help, he can do that too. It also allows the Eagles to really open things up for guys like Zack Baun, Cooper DeJean and Nolan Smith. Three completely different players from completely different positions who can now mask their assignments far more comfortably due to the presence of a player who will keep opposing offensive coordinators on their toes throughout a game.
If you were wondering about the future of Nakobe Dean or why the Eagles opted to take a linebacker after paying Baun this offseason, the answer is simple. Jihaad Campbell isn’t just a linebacker, and could well be the key that opens up the next evolution of Fangio’s masterplan.
Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
