Throughout the 2024 season, the Philadelphia Eagles had one of the best linebacker cores in the league.
Yes, you heard that right.
After years of devaluing the position due to their value process, the Eagles saw first-team All-Pro Zack Baun, former third-round pick Nakobe Dean, and free agent signing Oren Burks all excelled throughout the season. Philadelphia would not have won Super Bowl LIX without that top linebacker's play.
But with Burks now in Jacksonville and Dean recovering from a knee injury, the Eagles could use some additional depth to the position overall.
And in his latest mock draft on ESPN, Field Yates believes that they will get that with the selection of linebacker Jihaad Campbell.
"It hurts me to see Campbell have to wait this long; he's the final prospect on the board who ranks in my top 25," Yates said. "But after recent left shoulder surgery, his health outlook for the start of his career is less clear. But this would be a classic example of the Eagles pouncing on a talented player who fell due to circumstance.
"Philly struck gold with a no-risk signing of Zack Baun last offseason, and the idea of a linebacker trio eventually composed of Baun, Nakobe Dean (knee) and Campbell is exciting. Campbell had 112 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, 5 sacks and an interception last season."
Campbell is 6-2 and 244 pounds. And he played at Alabama, so the pedigree is there.
Philadelphia has shown they will add players of high value no matter in free agency or the draft. Would they be willing to spend a first-round pick on a linebacker, though?
That remains a major question moving forward.
There is no denying Campbell would fit a massive need at this point, though.
