Howie Roseman might have pulled off another draft-day masterclass. The Philadelphia Eagles have made a habit of stacking elite defensive talent in recent years, and their 2024 NFL Draft haul appears to be no exception.
After already securing cornerstone cornerbacks Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean, and previously drafting defensive star Jalen Carter in 2022, Philly might have found their next breakout force in Jihaad Campbell.
Former NFL Exec Calls Campbell ‘Biggest Steal of the Draft’
Not everyone expected Campbell to be available late in the first round, but the Eagles capitalized, and some experts believe they struck gold. Marc Ross, a former NFL executive now working with NFL Media, didn’t mince words:
“Campbell was the biggest steal of the draft,” Ross wrote. “He’s a top-10 level talent who slipped due to a spring shoulder injury.”
A versatile linebacker out of Alabama, Campbell joins a loaded Eagles defense that dominated en route to a Super Bowl win over the Kansas City Chiefs. With Nakobe Dean recovering from a knee injury, Campbell is in prime position to earn early playing time.
Ross emphasized that defensive coordinator Vic Fangio is getting a chess piece he can deploy in multiple ways, much like how he used Zack Baun last season. And with a track record of molding elite linebackers like Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman, Fangio may help Campbell unlock his full potential.
Elite Talent in the Philadelphia Eagles Loaded System
During his final year at Alabama, Campbell was a tackling machine, racking up 117 tackles, 5 sacks, and 12 tackles for loss, all while boasting an elite missed tackle rate of just 5.9%, one of the best in the nation. Those numbers suggest he’s more than capable of producing at the next level, especially when surrounded by the talent Philly already has.
Pairing Campbell with Baun, and potentially stepping in for Dean if needed, gives the Eagles a lethal linebacker unit and enviable depth. It’s yet another savvy move by Roseman. And one that could pay off in a major way if Campbell lives up to the hype.
