New to the Flock! Eagles' Draft Review

The Philadelphia Eagles welcomed 10 new birds to the flock last weekend. With the conclusion of the 2025 NFL Draft a few days ago, I came up with my top three Eagles’ picks of this year’s draft. Let’s see how the Eagles’ front office has selected for the future. 

1. Round 2, pick 64: Andrew Mukuba, Safety, Texas

Credit: Tim Warner/Getty Images

Last season, the Harare, Zimbabwe native was a key contributor to a top ranked Texas defense. Mukuba earned third-team All-SEC honors and led the conference in interceptions with five. With the Eagles trading away safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson to Houston and letting veteran corner Darius Slay Jr. walk in free agency, the Eagles have lost their veteran leadership of the last couple years and made it a priority to reload the secondary.

Expect Mukuba to learn a lot from Eagles’ safety Reed Blankenship. Blankenship is heading to his fourth season as an Eagle, and will be expected to step up as a leader. Blankenship is the most experienced player in the Eagles’ defensive back room heading into next season. 

Mukuba has an opportunity to start in Week 1 alongside Blankenship when the Eagles kick off the 2025 season. He will be competing with third-year safety Sydney Brown, who has waited his turn and is looking to become a full-time starter for the first time in 2025. Mukuba will have a lot to learn, but I am confident that defensive coordinator Vic Fangio will put him in the best position to do so.

2. Round 1, pick 31: Jihaad Campbell, Linebacker, Alabama 

Credit: Crimson Tide Photos/AU Athletics

The Eagles traded up to pick one of the most versatile players in the draft. Jihaad Campbell became the first off-ball linebacker selected by the Eagles in the first round since 1979, and for good reason. Campbell earned a first-team All-SEC selection in 2024. The Erial, New Jersey native racked up 117 tackles (5th in SEC), 11.5 tackles for loss (15th in SEC), and five sacks. He also has the strength and athleticism to line up on the edge. At 6 '3”, 235 pounds, Campbell also lined up on the edge, using his length to get to quarterbacks. 

Campbell will also have a solid chance of starting in Week 1. The Eagles will need someone to fill the vacancy they have at the off-ball linebacker position. Third-year man Nakobe Dean is still recovering from a torn patellar tendon in his left knee that he suffered in last season’s Wild Card Round game against the Green Bay Packers. I am eager to see how Fangio decides to use him this year.

3. Round 4, pick 111: Ty Robinson, Defensive Tackle, Nebraska

Credit: Kenny Larabee/KLIN

The Eagles waited until the fourth round to address another issue defensively, interior lineman depth. The Eagles defensive line took a hit when defensive tackle Milton Williams decided to ink the richest contract in Patriot history this offseason. Robinson should help the Eagles regain some depth with Williams departure. I anticipate Robinson serving as a backup this season, with Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis occupying the starting interior lineman positions, but he will certainly improve under the mentorship of those guys.

Robinson earned a second-team All-Big Ten selection in 2024, with 12 tackles for a loss (8th in Big Ten) and seven sacks (10th in Big Ten). He also improved his draft stock by having a great combine. Robinson ran a 4.83 40-yard dash (fastest among defensive tackles) and had a vertical jump of 33.5”. Weighing in at 288 pounds, Robinson has strength and athleticism for a player undersized for a defensive tackle. His skills jumped off the page on film, and Eagles were excited to see him still on the board at 96.

Eagles General Manager Howie Roseman has a knack for evaluating talent. Roseman has been known for making bold moves throughout the offseason, and the Eagles coaching staff has helped these players adjust nicely to the NFL. Excited to see how these draftees will make an impact on the team’s success moving forward.

Thank you for reading!

Elias Meredith (@EAM_55)