The Birds really wanted their first-round target in the 2025 NFL Draft.
The Philadelphia Eagles really wanted to draft Jihaad Campbell.
That much has already been made apparent by the reports that the Eagles were trying to trade up to No. 22 in the 2025 NFL Draft to pick him. Reports that Howie Roseman did not deny on Thursday evening.
If you needed even more confirmation that the Eagles were hot after Campbell, check out what team owner Jeffrey Lurie had to say to the Alabama linebacker in their draft day call:
A phone call that’s well worth the wait@RealJihaadC | #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/z0Ou1Guy1A
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) April 25, 2025
LURIE: “Hey, Jihaad! Unbelievable. We were trying to get you for the last hour. You fit right in perfectly. Unbelievable. Jihaad, congrats man.”
Moving up from No. 32 to No. 22 probably wouldn’t have been cheap. It would’ve been somewhere been the two trades made in the 20s last night.
Trade 1
Atlanta Falcons receive: No. 25 (EDGE James Pearce Jr)., No. 101
Los Angeles Rams receive: No. 46, No. 242, 2026 first-round pick
Trade 2
New York Giants receive: No. 26 (QB Jaxson Dart)
Houston Texans receive: No. 34, No. 99, 2026 third-round pick
Whether their efforts failed or patience was practiced, the Eagles ended up getting their guy without having to give up major compensation. They merely sent No. 164 this year to the Kansas City Chiefs to move up one spot and prevent KC from trading with another team that wanted Campbell.
Only time will tell if the Eagles were right to covet Campbell. But it’s exciting to think they landed a player they feel very convicted about.
