The narrative will write itself when it comes to the Philadelphia Eagles' selection of Jihaad Campbell. The franchise selected an off-ball linebacker for the first time in 46 years, as Jerry Robinson in 1979 was the last one the organization drafted this early.

The Philadelphia Eagles traded up and selected Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell with the 31st overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft on Thursday night. The Eagles jumped one spot in a deal with the Kansas City Chiefs to pick Campbell.

Former Alabama standout Jihaad Campbell became the first off-ball linebacker taken by the team since Jerry Robinson in 1979, but it’s not quite that simple. He may have a clear pathway to starting alongside Eagles do-it-all linebacker Zack Baun as a rookie early next year, but could also have pathways to much more based off his college tape.