In August 2025, the Philadelphia Eagles made headlines with a bold Eagles rookie trade attempt — targeting pick No. 18 during the 2025 NFL Draft to land Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell as a long-term defensive anchor. When compensation demands pushed the price beyond fair value, general manager Howie Roseman made the call to step back and trust the draft board. Philadelphia then moved up one spot to pick No. 31, protecting draft capital, salary cap space, and roster construction priorities without losing roster control over their top target.
The front office handled the entire situation with discipline — reinforcing the roster and keeping long-term flexibility intact heading into 2026.
What Was the Eagles Rookie Trade Attempt?
The Eagles’ rookie trade attempt centered on one goal: securing Jihaad Campbell before another team could.
Philadelphia explored moving into the top 20 — reportedly near pick No. 18 — during the 2025 NFL Draft. The compensation demands from teams holding those picks became too steep. Rather than overpay, general manager Howie Roseman pulled back.
The draft board then shifted in Philadelphia’s favor. Teams ahead of Philadelphia made unexpected picks, and Campbell slid further than most projected. The Eagles made a smaller move, trading up one spot from No. 32 to No. 31, and drafted him without surrendering significant draft capital. That move is the only confirmed event tied to this sequence — everything else remained exploratory.
| Key Detail | Information |
| Target Pick | No. 18 (explored) |
| Starting Pick | No. 32 |
| Final Pick Used | No. 31 |
| Player Selected | Jihaad Campbell |
| Position | Linebacker |
| College | Alabama |
| Draft Year | 2025 NFL Draft |
That sequence — aggressive interest followed by disciplined execution — maintained roster control and defines this story more than any rumor.
Why the Eagles Targeted Jihaad Campbell in the 2025 NFL Draft
Philadelphia entered the 2025 draft with a clear Eagles 2025 draft mission: fix the linebacker position without compromising defensive flexibility across the roster.
Campbell matched every requirement on their board:
- Sideline-to-sideline range against wide zone runs
- Reliable pass coverage skills in man and zone
- Run defense awareness and disciplined gap fits
- Closing speed to match modern NFL offensive tempo
- Leadership experience from a top college program
The Eagles’ linebacker target search was part of a broader defensive roster-building effort — not just filling a depth chart spot. Philadelphia was pushing a youth movement on defense, and Campbell represented the kind of long-term building block that fits that direction.
He addressed linebacker depth directly against motion-heavy offenses and spread offensive concepts, while supporting the team’s preparation for January playoff football. The Eagles’ 2025 draft mission centered on adding scheme-versatile defenders who could anchor the second level for multiple seasons.
For a full breakdown of every selection Philadelphia made, read our Eagles 2025 Draft Results and Analysis.
Who Is Jihaad Campbell, and Why Did Teams Value Him?
Campbell entered the 2025 draft as one of the most intriguing front-seven prospects in the class.
He profiles as a true three-down linebacker — rare at any draft level. His sideline-to-sideline range alone separated him from most prospects at his position. His value came from several traits that fit the modern NFL defensive evolution:
- Coverage versatility: Comfortable in pattern-match coverage and man-match responsibilities
- Hybrid role: Functions as a hybrid second-level defender — operating as an overhang defender, stack backer, or traditional weakside linebacker
- Blitz packages: Capable of executing simulated blitz concepts without telegraphing intent
- Space defense: One of the better space defenders against spread offenses in his draft class
At Alabama, Campbell recorded 10.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks in his final season — numbers that reinforced his projection as an immediate impact player at the next level.
His deployability across multiple alignments drove his linebacker draft value higher than his raw statistical profile suggested. There was genuine run-on talent in this draft class at the front-seven level, making Campbell’s versatility even more valuable at pick No. 31. Front-seven talent that can do all three phases without substitution rarely reaches that range.
Why the Trade Up Did Not Happen: Discipline Over Urgency
Teams holding picks inside the top 20 wanted significant compensation — likely future second or third-round picks. For an organization managing salary cap balance and long-term roster construction, that asking price created real risk.
The Eagles faced a clear decision point:
- Guarantee the pick by overpaying
- Trust the draft board and wait
They chose patience over hesitation — avoiding the short-term pressure that pushes most front offices into emotional decisions on draft night.
The draft board validated that the restraint was fast. Teams ahead of Philadelphia made unexpected picks, Campbell slid further than most projected, and the Eagles needed only a one-spot move to secure him — preserving future draft picks and avoiding long-term damage to their roster timeline.
Every rumor surrounding a larger deal was exploratory. The Eagles’ draft decision-making process never allowed speculation to override fair value. That discipline sits at the center of Philadelphia’s competitive identity — the front office explores bold moves without committing beyond what the market justifies.
The failed top-20 trade was not a missed opportunity. It was timed correctly.
Draft-Day Dynamics: Board, Tiers, and Leverage Explained
Understanding why Philadelphia acted the way it did requires understanding how NFL draft trade analysis actually works.
Draft boards are built around tiers, not individual rankings. A player’s tier placement matters far more than his exact position on any list. When a front office identifies the last player in a tier they value, urgency increases. If Campbell represented the final player in Philadelphia’s top linebacker tier, every pick closer to that range raised pressure.
The draft-day decision strategy the Eagles followed likely ran through several key checkpoints:
- Historical trade data for similar positional moves
- Positional scarcity at linebacker in the 2025 class
- Mid-round pick value relative to draft slot cost
- Board positioning relative to competing teams
- Draft analytics models and frameworks similar to the Jimmy Johnson trade value chart
When the cost exceeded the modeled value, the front office reached one answer: wait.
Philadelphia combines scouting with analytics at every stage of the process. That combination helps the front office avoid reactive mistakes on draft night — and it kept them from overpaying when pressure was highest.
Cost vs Reward: Should the Eagles Have Traded Up?
This question has a cleaner answer than most fans expect: No, and the outcome proved it.
The front office decision process weighed every variable before exploring the top-20 move. Trading into the top 20 typically requires surrendering future second or third-round picks. That level of asset spending would have created compounding problems:
- Reduced flexibility in the 2026 NFL Draft
- More pressure on Campbell to immediately justify the trade cost
- Cap strain around future veteran contracts
- Less flexibility to build around Campbell at nearby positions
Philadelphia’s draft strategy prioritizes cost-controlled starters and contract efficiency over expensive asset trades. Risk reduction drives every major decision — and this one was no different.
Campbell, on a rookie contract at pick No. 31, delivers the same defensive stability as pick No. 18 — without the long-term deployment risk. Surrounding Campbell with depth serves the player development pipeline better than paying a premium to draft him six spots higher.
What This Reveals About Draft Risk Management
The Eagles’ rookie trade attempt highlights how well-run teams manage draft talent versus market trade costs differently from average franchises.
Trading into the top 20 stacks three risks on top of each other:
- Asset risk: Lost future picks shrink long-term draft flexibility
- Pressure risk: High-cost selections carry heavier development expectations
- Cap risk: Premium picks affect salary structure across the entire roster
Philadelphia’s conviction about Campbell’s fit never pushed the front office into reckless territory. Instead, the Eagles tested market trade costs, found the price sitting above their internal threshold, and walked away cleanly. That value alignment — matching what a player is worth against what the trade actually costs — separates disciplined franchises from reactive ones every single draft.
Overpaying for one player — no matter how talented — cuts long-term draft value across the board. The Eagles protected both draft value and draft talent by refusing to let urgency override their evaluation process.
What This Reveals About Eagles’ Draft Philosophy and Howie Roseman’s Blueprint
Every move in this sequence traces back to Howie Roseman’s consistent draft identity.
His blueprint follows three clear steps every time:
- Identify elite traits — not just production numbers
- Explore every trade path — without committing beyond fair value
- Refuse emotional decisions — even under draft-night pressure
Roseman gives the front office permission to pursue bold moves without crossing into reckless territory. Philadelphia carries no obligation to complete a trade simply because they opened the conversation. The Eagles showed aggressive interest, tested the market price, found it too high, and walked away — then secured the same player anyway through disciplined execution.
Philadelphia also never chases optics. The front office does not move players or make trades to satisfy media pressure or fan expectations. When other organizations panic watching a target slip down the board, the Eagles hold their position and trust their evaluation. That steady approach directly reflects their competitive identity — scouting alignment, coaching alignment, and analytics all pointing in the same direction.
Philadelphia’s long-term defensive stability depends on this kind of process-driven decision-making staying in place.
How Campbell Fits the Eagles’ Defensive Scheme and Elevates the Unit
Philadelphia’s defense runs on defensive multiplicity — rotating fronts, disguising coverages, and creating confusion through pressure disguises and simulated pressures. That system needs linebackers who handle multiple roles without rotating off the field.
Campbell fits that system at every level of the defense:
| Role | Function |
| Weakside Linebacker (WILL) | Primary alignment role |
| Overhang Defender | Covers tight ends and backs in space |
| Stack Backer | Fits inside 3-4 and 4-3 looks |
| Nickel Defense Support | Handles coverage spacing in sub-packages |
His ability to execute match-and-carry coverage, drop into zone recognition, and trigger a green-dog blitz gives Philadelphia’s coordinators real flexibility — without giving up run defense angles or pursuit leverage on the back end.
NFC offensive matchups continue moving toward space and motion concepts. Campbell directly strengthens the Eagles’ defensive communication roles and builds cohesion across the entire front seven. His presence lifts the flexible coverage units and builds defensive adaptability against the offensive concepts Philadelphia faces most often in the NFC.
Year 1 Role Expectations and Depth Chart Impact
Realistic expectations for Campbell’s player development timeline involve gradual expansion rather than immediate dominance.
Early 2025 season: Philadelphia will likely deploy Campbell in sub-package situations, build his situational responsibilities slowly, and lean on his special teams contributions while his recognition develops. Linebacker development at the NFL level depends far more on communication and processing than raw athleticism.
Mid-to-late season: As Campbell’s recognition speed improves, coordinators will expand his early-down involvement and trust him with more complex coverage assignments inside the defensive structure.
The depth chart competition around Campbell matters for the entire defense. His presence immediately improves rotational flexibility and creates stronger coverage spacing across nickel defense alignments. Even before Campbell claims a starting role, his impact on defensive structure will show up in measurable ways on the field.
Patience remains the most important factor here. The player development pipeline produces better results when rookies build into their roles rather than carrying starter-level pressure before their processing catches up to their physical tools.
For a closer look at how Campbell compares to other second-level prospects, read our Jihaad Campbell Player Profile and Scouting Report.
Supporting Moves That Strengthened the Roster
The Eagles’ rookie trade attempt did not end at the draft. Philadelphia followed Campbell’s selection with two additional moves that completed the roster picture — each reflecting long-term depth planning rather than short-term reaction to immediate needs.
Thomas Booker for Jakorian Bennett
Shortly after the draft, the Eagles sent defensive tackle Thomas Booker to the Raiders in exchange for cornerback Jakorian Bennett.
Philadelphia converted defensive line surplus directly into secondary depth — a clean response to a clear positional need. Bennett brought speed and developmental upside to the cornerback room. Booker was expendable because the Eagles already carried strong depth along the defensive line.
The trade improved positional balance without touching draft capital or salary cap flexibility — exactly the kind of quiet, efficient move the Eagles front office consistently executes well.
For more on how Bennett fits Philadelphia’s secondary plans, read our Jakorian Bennett Eagles Fit and Role Breakdown.
Adding Sam Howell for Quarterback Stability
In August 2025, the Eagles brought in quarterback Sam Howell to strengthen the depth behind Jalen Hurts.
Philadelphia made that move deliberately. Backup Tanner McKee was managing a thumb injury, and the front office acted before the situation became a genuine emergency. The Eagles treated quarterback depth as a necessity rather than a luxury — and they moved early instead of waiting for a crisis to force their hand.
Separating Confirmed Moves From Draft-Day Rumors
Draft season always produces heavy speculation, and Philadelphia’s 2025 draft window was no different. Separating verified transactions from exploratory conversations matters when evaluating what the Eagles actually did.
The AJ Brown and Maxx Crosby Discussions
During draft coverage, reports connected Philadelphia to a possible framework involving AJ Brown and Maxx Crosby. Those conversations never moved past exploratory stages. No side produced a confirmed offer, no formal negotiation advanced, and no execution of any deal took place.
League chatter around high-profile names amplifies quickly during draft windows. The front office decision process treats exploratory conversations as information gathering — not commitments. Treating every reported discussion as a confirmed transaction produces a distorted picture of what the Eagles actually attempted.
The only verified, confirmed transaction remains: Campbell selected at pick No. 31 through a disciplined, minor trade-up from No. 32.
How This Differs From Typical Rookie Trade Narratives
Most rookie trade stories follow the same pattern — a team overpays under pressure, a struggling rookie fails to justify the cost, and the franchise spends the next two drafts recovering flexibility.
Philadelphia broke that pattern entirely.
The Eagles never shopped a struggling rookie or reacted to a fit issue. They pursued elite talent aggressively, protected long-term assets throughout the process, and kept the goal focused on the elevation of the defense rather than subtraction from it.
Teams that let hesitation push them into rushed decisions end up surrendering significant assets and carrying limited flexibility for years afterward. The Eagles avoided that outcome by holding firm when the trade cost exceeded their board value.
This was not a failed trade attempt. The Eagles executed a successful acquisition at a lower cost than they originally explored — and that distinction changes the entire meaning of this story.
What the Eagles Gained Even Without Completing the Trade
Philadelphia walked away from the top-20 move with several concrete strategic advantages that will compound over time:
- Preserved future draft picks that give the Eagles real flexibility heading into 2026
- Secured their primary target anyway through a disciplined, smaller move
- Improved secondary depth by completing the Booker-for-Bennett trade
- Eliminated the cap strain that a premium pick would have created
- Clarified internal priorities and strengthened NFL player evaluation benchmarks
- Strengthened board positioning for future draft cycles by understanding real market costs
- Built clearer mid-round pick value benchmarks for future trade talks
The reactionary roster moves that typically follow overpaid trades — burning draft capital to patch holes the original trade created — never happened in Philadelphia. That restraint created compounding value that will show up clearly across the 2026 roster window.
Is Philadelphia’s Draft Approach Sustainable for 2026 and Beyond?
Because Philadelphia refused to overpay in 2025, the Eagles enter 2026 holding meaningful draft capital intact — including projected multiple picks and possible compensatory selections that keep their options wide open.
Three factors make that preserved capital matter:
- Roster depth: Extra picks let Philadelphia develop young talent without depending on expensive veteran contracts to fill every gap
- Trade flexibility: Preserved picks give the front office real options when needs emerge during the 2026 offseason
- Salary cap balance: Avoiding the premium trade protects cap space for extensions and free agency targets
The team-building philosophy Philadelphia follows is built for long-term sustainability. Managing injuries and maintaining quality rotation depth rank as structural priorities — not reactive adjustments. Faster linebackers, flexible coverage units, and improved defensive adaptability reflect long-term structural decisions rather than short-term fixes.
A modern NFL season runs 17 games plus a playoff run. Philadelphia needs genuine roster depth to handle that load — and the structural decisions the Eagles made during this draft cycle give them room to adapt without emergency spending as offensive trends keep evolving through 2026 and beyond.
For the latest updates on Philadelphia’s draft capital heading into next year, read our 2026 NFL Draft Capital Tracker: Eagles Edition.
Conclusion
The Eagles’ rookie trade attempt targeting Jihaad Campbell during the 2025 NFL Draft shows exactly how Philadelphia builds and maintains a competitive roster. The Eagles pursued their target aggressively, evaluated the cost honestly, declined when the price exceeded their internal value, and still secured the same player at a lower cost through disciplined execution.
Philadelphia landed Campbell at pick No. 31, reinforced secondary depth through Jakorian Bennett, locked in quarterback stability with Sam Howell, and preserved 2026 draft capital — improving both present performance and long-term flexibility at the same time.
The balance between aggressive interest and disciplined restraint — and the long-term sustainability that balance produces — separates Philadelphia from franchises that consistently overpay for short-term results.
This was not a missed opportunity. The Eagles executed a controlled, process-driven roster-building sequence that will pay dividends well beyond 2025.
The Eagles did not miss this trade. At that price, the trade never made sense — and the draft board proved it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the Eagles try to trade up for Jihaad Campbell in the 2025 NFL Draft?
Campbell gave the Eagles exactly what their modern defensive scheme needed — a fast, coverage-capable linebacker who handles multiple roles without substitution. The trade-up reflected genuine long-term roster planning and positional value — not draft-night aggression or reactive decision-making under pressure.
Did the Eagles actually complete the rookie trade attempt?
The Eagles ran a full trade-up scenario targeting pick No. 18 but declined when compensation demands pushed the cost past projected value. Philadelphia then moved up one spot to No. 31 and selected Campbell through a smaller, disciplined trade instead.
Do trade-up attempts mean a team is desperate or uncertain?
Not in Philadelphia’s case. Trade discussions reflect conviction about a player’s scheme fit and long-term impact — not panic. Well-run teams regularly explore moves early and only execute when the value genuinely aligns with the cost.
How did this decision affect future draft picks?
By avoiding an expensive trade, Philadelphia kept valuable draft capital intact — including projected 2026 selections and possible compensatory picks that give the front office real flexibility heading into next year’s draft.
Did the Eagles trade any major players during this attempt?
No major players moved in connection with the Campbell pursuit. The only completed action the Eagles executed was selecting Campbell through a small, disciplined trade-up from pick No. 32 to pick No. 31.
