The Philadelphia Eagles are back on top of the NFC East with a 6-2 record through eight weeks, proving once again that they know how to win—pretty or not. Loaded with talent from last year’s Super Bowl squad, Philly has flexed its depth and dominance. But this season’s success isn’t just about the veterans; it’s also about the newcomers who’ve crashed the party in a big way.
Enter rookie linebacker Jihaad Campbell, the versatile defender who just got crowned the Eagles’ best offseason addition in ESPN’s latest power rankings. For a team sitting at No. 3 overall, that’s no shock. What is shocking? The fact that a top-10 talent somehow slid all the way to pick No. 31.
ESPN names Jihaad Campbell as Eagles’ best offseason addition
ESPN’s Tim McManus couldn’t stop raving about Campbell’s Swiss-army-knife skill set—playing off-ball linebacker one snap, rushing the edge the next, and excelling at both.
“The first-round pick out of Alabama has been a contributor in Vic Fangio’s defense from the jump. Campbell has played 87% of the snaps with 45 tackles, eight QB pressures and an interception. His role shifted when Nakobe Dean recently returned from a knee injury, moving from starting inside linebacker to more of a hybrid edge player. That has come with a learning curve, but Campbell’s versatility is already proving valuable.” — Tim McManus (ESPN)
This isn’t a fluke. Campbell flashed this exact versatility at Alabama, which is why he was mocked in the top 10 of the 2025 Draft. But medical red flags—concerns over his shoulders and knees—sent him tumbling into Philly’s lap. A gamble? Sure. But for a team already stacked, it was a low-risk, sky-high-reward move. And it’s already paying dividends.
Through eight games, Campbell has played every snap, racking up 45 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 forced fumble, 2 pass deflections, and 1 interception. He’s not just contributing—he’s disrupting.
It’s early, yes. But make no mistake: the Eagles didn’t just draft a role player. They pulled off a heist. Another elite defender is rising in Philly, and the rest of the NFC should be terrified.