Eagles move up 1 spot and take Alabama LB Jihaad Campbell in the NFL draft

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Alabama linebacker Jihaad Cambell celebrates after being chosen by the Philadelphia Eagles with the 31st overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 24, 2025, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

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Alabama linebacker Jihaad Cambell, right, poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being chosen by the Philadelphia Eagles with the 31st overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 24, 2025, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

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Alabama linebacker Jihaad Cambell, right, embraces NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell being chosen by the Philadelphia Eagles with the 31st overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 24, 2025, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

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Alabama linebacker Jihaad Cambell, right, celebrates with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being chosen by the Philadelphia Eagles with the 31st overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 24, 2025, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

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Alabama linebacker Jihaad Cambell puts on a hat after being chosen by the Philadelphia Eagles with the 31st overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 24, 2025, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

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Alabama linebacker Jihaad Cambell, right, celebrates after being chosen by the Philadelphia Eagles with the 31st overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 24, 2025, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

By AARON BRACY

💬

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Philadelphia Eagles moved up one spot in the NFL draft to select linebacker Jihaad Campbell of Alabama with the No. 31 overall pick on Thursday night.

Campbell is a native of nearby Erial, New Jersey, and he spent his first three years of high school at Timber Creek — about 17 miles from Philadelphia’s home stadium, Lincoln Financial Field. The 6-foot-3, 244-pound Campbell had 54 solo tackles, five sacks and one interception last season in 13 games while hampered by injury.

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Philadelphia general manager Howie Roseman said the Eagles had Campbell among the best 10 players on their draft board.

“For us, this was an easy pick,” Roseman said. “Real explosive player. He can play inside, be an edge rusher. Just really feel fortunate to bring him home back to Philly.”

Roseman dismissed any concerns over Campbell’s injury history.

“We have a lot of confidence this guy is going to be here and play at a really high level for a long time,” he said.

The reigning champion Eagles held the No. 32 pick but swapped with their Super Bowl foe, Kansas City, to select Campbell. He spent his final season of high school at IMG Academy in Florida before choosing Alabama over Clemson, Florida, Georgia and Texas A&M. In three seasons for the Crimson Tide, he had 184 total tackles in 35 games.

“We think he’s a versatile player who can do a lot of different things,” Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said. “The main thing you see is the speed that he plays with, the relentless effort, and that plays on defense.”

Roseman said he tried to move up higher in the draft to select Campbell and was finally able to make a deal with Kansas City to ensure the Eagles got the player they wanted.

“We’re very excited about what he’s going to bring to the team,” Roseman said. “This wasn’t a need pick. There were other players we liked at the spot we were picking, but this stood out to us. Very excited to get him, and we didn’t want to lose him.”

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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl