The Philadelphia Eagles shocked many by not drafting a Tight End, and selecting ten players when most thought they would value quality over quantity, and by drafting a linebacker in the opening round for the first time since 1979.
The commonality with this draft and the last few is that they selected players with their premium picks (rounds one and two) who can get on the field in week one. Howie Roseman and the Eagles used their plethora of other picks to add depth and competition to a Super Bowl Champion roster that did not have many holes.
Many like to grade a team’s draft once the process is over, but using caution and not overreacting when evaluating is a more prudent approach and one that gives the players and coaches an opportunity to prove themselves.
The Philadelphia Eagles 2025 Draft Class:
Round One Pick 31- Jihaad Campbell, Alabama, LB
In a year that did not have many sure things, the Eagles selected a player who was in Jihaad Campbell. A a prototypical linebacker at 6′ 3”, 244, who flourished last year with 117 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, and 5 sacks.
Campbell was recruited by Alabama to be an edge rusher; he has the skills to be a force getting to the Quarterback off the edge, but he thrived as an off-ball LB, much like Zack Baun did last year. The athleticism they bring to the field is similar, which is to say, Jihaad has All-Pro ability. He oozes with the traits that the Eagles’ Defensive Coordinator loves. Jihaad is a fluid, agile, twitchy player with an impressive burst. His acceleration to attack ball carriers is rare, and he lays the wood when he hits his target!
He will need to improve and maintain lanes, but he has shown elite recognition and awareness, and uses his long arms to disrupt passing lanes. He is the only linebacker I had a first-round grade on, and Fangio will get the most out of him.
Just as importantly, if healthy, he will contribute in the first year. A theme amongst the Eagles’ premium Draft picks over the last few years. Campbell was born about twenty minutes from his new home at Lincoln Financial Field. He hopes to have the same debut he did for Alabama, when he had 14 tackles and an interception to start his career as a Crimson Tide. That start in Philly would be welcomed.
Round Two Pick 61- Andrew Mukuba, Texas, S
Andrew seemed a perfect fit for the Eagles during the draft process. After Philadelphia traded Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, it seemingly increased the odds that the Eagles could select Mukuba, as he plays very similarly.
The Eagles play in a split coverage structure, and while some may have ranked other safeties higher on an NFL draft board, Mukuba was the best fit for their scheme. He thrives against the run, is physical, and a sure tackler. In Mukuba’s first season at Texas, he also flashed some impressive coverage skills. Per Sports Reference, he had 7 PBUs, five interceptions, 4 TFLs, and one forced fumble last year. Andrew has elite instincts for the position and is versatile enough to play any spot in the defensive backfield. It would be a surprise if he is not on the field for the Eagles in week one.
Round Four Pick 111— Ty Robinson, Nebraska, DL
Ty has an above-average first step and is quick enough to utilize all over the line, including at the edge. He is a force in tight spaces and should be able to bring interior pressure. His versatility and dependability are reasons why he is on the team. Ty played 60 games at Nebraska, the most in team history.
Robinson has also been used as a fullback. If the tush-push is banned, the Eagles may have selected a player who can pound the ball in ala William ‘Refridgerator’ Perry style 40 years ago.
Round Five Pick 145- Mac McWilliams, Central Florida, DB
Mac graded as the Knights’ best defender at 81.6, according to Pro Football Focus, and had an impressive 6.5 tackles for loss, a sack, and an interception in 2024. He should thrive in a nickel role, maybe as the backup, or perhaps the Eagles experiment with him at NCB and look at what Cooper DeJean can be on the outside. Who knows what his role will be this early? What is known is that Mac diagnoses routes well, recognizes screens quickly, and has excellent instincts. If McWilliams had gone to a bigger school and had a slightly larger frame, he would have gone higher in the draft.
Round Five Pick 161- Smael Mondon, Georgia, LB
Another Georgia Bulldog, shocking! Smael was part of the 2021 and 2022 National Championship at Georgia and led the team in tackles in 22. He is familiar with the players and will fit into the locker room from day one. Smael excels in space and coverage. He was used as WILL, an Edge, and in Nickel coverage. Mondon will need to get stronger to play the run more effectively, but he has shown the ability to be a three-down LB. If Smael stays healthy at the NFL level, he should be able to contribute on special teams right away and develop into a rotational LB just as fast.
Round Five Pick 168- Drew Kendall, Boston College, C/G
Kendall is 6–4, 308 pounds, a true Center in what Howie Roseman stated was a ‘Center-deficient league’, and the Eagles may move him to guard. I know, wild right? Philadelphia has had a lot of success drafting former Centers and moving them over a position (see Cam Jurgens and Landon Dickerson), and Coach Stoutland may see the same ability with Drew. Kendall comes from a strong NFL Pedigree; his father was a first-round pick. Drew displayed his ability by allowing only five sacks over 1,256 pass-blocking snaps in college. It will be fascinating to see how he develops.
Round Six Pick 181- Kyle McCord, Syracuse, QB
The Quarterback Factory lives! Kyle is a Mt Laurel, New Jersey native who played High School in Philadelphia for St. Joseph’s Prep, so the city and atmosphere will not be overwhelming for him. McCord had his best season in 2024 at Syracuse after transferring from Ohio State. He displayed great processing skills and passed for 4,779 yards and 34 touchdowns. Kyle, a top ten Heisman Trophy finalist, will look to hone his skills and develop into a spot on the QB depth chart this summer.
Round Six Pick 191- Myles Hinton, Michigan, OT
Bloodlines continues to be a theme with the last two Offensive linemen selections. Hinton’s father was a first-round selection and a seven-time pro-bowler, and his brother Chris currently plays for the LA Chargers. His mother, Mya, was also an athlete. She played basketball for Northwestern. Myles will look to add to the family legacy by studying at Stout U. Hinton played with current Eagle OL Trevor Keegan, and has experience at both LT and RT. Myles started 10 games for Michigan this past season and has the size and length to develop into a swing tackle or more.
Round Six Pick 207- Cameron Williams, Texas, OT
Cameron was the third offensive lineman selected by the Eagles, but he was likely the highest ranked on many draft boards. Williams is young and does not have a lot of experience at the collegiate level, but he displayed the skills and has the traits that the Eagles love. He is raw, strong, has an impressive 85-inch wingspan, and at a reported 6’5, 335 pounds, has the body type Stoutland has proven to mold into an NFL starting caliber OL.
Round Six Pick 209- Antwaun Powell-Ryland, Virginia Tech, OLB
APR was an edge rusher for the Hokies, but after being drafted, the Eagles listed him at OLB. However, he is deployed by Fangio, he has the potential to be a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks. Antwaun has a lightning-fast first step, a non-stop motor, and shows good bend around the edge. APR has also proven to be effective in dropping into coverage, which is something Fangio asks of his edge rushers. While slightly undersized, he sheds block well, collapses the pockets, and creates turnovers. He has a beautiful spin move in his arsenal of pass-rushing tricks and has the talent to develop into an effective rotational pass-rusher for a defense that thrives in that.
As always, thank you for reading.
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