{"id":830095,"date":"2025-02-27T02:12:20","date_gmt":"2025-02-27T08:12:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2025\/02\/27\/philadelphia-eagles-nfl-draft-2025-positional-needs-linebacker\/"},"modified":"2025-02-27T02:12:20","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T08:12:20","slug":"philadelphia-eagles-nfl-draft-2025-positional-needs-linebacker","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2025\/02\/27\/philadelphia-eagles-nfl-draft-2025-positional-needs-linebacker\/","title":{"rendered":"Philadelphia Eagles NFL Draft 2025 Positional Needs: Linebacker"},"content":{"rendered":"

Football <\/p>\n

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While I have watched highlights from the Super Bowl<\/a> every day since it happened, apparently a NEW season of football is still going to start in September. Before that can happen however, each team gets to select a number of former college standouts in the annual NFL Draft<\/a> (April 24-April 26) which takes place in Green Bay, Wis. this year.<\/p>\n

The Philadelphia Eagles<\/a> will have the last pick in the first round, due to being the defending Super Bowl champs of course, and six picks in rounds two through five, although Executive VP\/GM\/Wizard Howie Roseman has been known to make a deal or two on draft weekend.<\/p>\n

2025 Picks:<\/strong><\/h3>\n

1st round (PHI), No. 32
2nd round (PHI), No. 64
3rd round (PHI), No. 96
4th round (DET), No. 133
5th round (HOU), No. 162
5th round (WAS), No. 166
5th round (PHI), No. 169<\/p>\n

2026 Picks:<\/strong><\/h3>\n

1st round (PHI)
2nd round (PHI)
3rd round (PHI)
3rd round (NYJ)
4th round (PHI)
5th round (PHI)
6th round (PHI)
7th round (PHI)<\/p>\n

Potential Team Needs (2025 free agents in parentheses):<\/strong><\/h3>\n

EDGE (Josh Sweat, Brandon Graham)
LB (Zack Baun, Oren Burks, Ben VanSumeren; Nakobe Dean FA in 26)
OG (Mekhi Becton, Fred Johnson)
OT (Jack Driscoll; Darian Kinnard, Brett Toth FAs in 26)
TE (C.J. Uzomah FA; Dallas Goedert, Grant Calcatarra, E.J. Jenkins FA in 26)
CB (Isaiah Rodgers, Avonte Maddox FA; Darius Slay, Tristin McCollum, Eli Ricks, James Bradberry FAs in 26)<\/p>\n

RB (Kenneth Gainwell)
IDL (Milton Williams; Jordan Davis, Thomas Booker IV FAs in 26)<\/p>\n

While we don\u2019t have any answers on who the Birds will be able to retain and who they will lose in free agency, let\u2019s do a little educated guessing!<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s pretend the Eagles LOSE:<\/strong> Sweat, Graham, Becton, Rodgers, Maddox, Gainwell, Williams, Uzomah<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s pretend the Eagles RETAIN:<\/strong> Baun, Burks, Johnson, VanSumeren, Driscoll<\/p>\n

If this (Baun staying in Philly) happens, linebacker becomes way less of a \u201cneed\u201d in the draft for Philadelphia and interior defensive line probably moves up to the \u201cimmediate needs\u201d section. The Birds will probably still draft a linebacker, although this has never been a top priority for them as an organization in the past. However, it IS a priority of mine, uh, right now!<\/p>\n

So let\u2019s take a look at four potential linebackers the Eagles could draft in April. (Age listed is \u201cage on first day of the season.\u201d Height and weight is as listed on <\/em>NFL.com<\/em><\/a> draft profile.)<\/em><\/p>\n

Jihaad Campbell, Alabama, 6-foot-3, 244 pounds, junior, 21 years old<\/strong><\/h3>\n
    \n
  • built like a linebacker you\u2019d design in Create-A-Player on Madden<\/li>\n
  • really solid in coverage, especially given his size<\/li>\n
  • there are concerns about his play processing, mostly in the run game<\/li>\n
  • a number of scouts (and one Alabama fan I asked online) seem to think he might be better served as an EDGE rusher in the NFL, which is where the Eagles could probably find the most value from him<\/li>\n
  • 2024 accolades: Second Team All-American (FWAA, The Athletic, USA Today); First Team All-SEC (coaches), Second Team All-SEC (AP)<\/li>\n
  • 2024 stats: 117 tackles (54 solo), 11.5 TFL, 5 sacks, 1 interception, 3 passes defended, 2 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery<\/li>\n
  • Fun fact: he\u2019s from New Jersey even though he played his senior high school season at IMG (Fla.) Academy<\/li>\n
  • The Eagles should draft him in: 1st round<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
    \n