Philadelphia Eagles 2025 NFL draft picks: Selection analysis

My take: The Eagles added a versatile player who can help defensive coordinator Vic Fangio on a couple of fronts. Campbell, a first-team All-SEC selection last season, racked up 117 tackles in 2024 playing primarily as an off-ball linebacker. But he also rushed the passer and could contribute to an edge rotation that's led by Nolan Smith Jr. and second-year player Jalyx Hunt. The Eagles have had success drawing from top programs like Alabama and Georgia in recent drafts and went to the well again to land a former five-star recruit who grew up just outside of Philadelphia.

Will he start as a rookie? It depends on where he's deployed, for one. Off-ball linebacker Nakobe Dean is still recovering from a torn patellar tendon so there likely will be an opening opposite Zack Baun at the beginning of the season. He would be competing with players like Jeremiah Trotter Jr. for that post. If he plays more in a hybrid/edge role, it would probably not be as a starter initially, though he could certainly be part of the rotation.

What we're hearing about Campbell: "This was a really easy pick. ... This was a top-10 player on our board," said general manager Howie Roseman, who added that the organization has no concerns about his long-term health. Campbell underwent left shoulder surgery to repair a torn labrum after the NFL scouting combine. Roseman confirmed that the Eagles made efforts to trade up for Campbell earlier in the draft as well, showing just how hot they were after him. They finally struck a deal with the Kansas City Chiefs to go from No. 32 to 31 to ensure they landed him.

Round 2, No. 64: Andrew Mukuba, S, Texas

My take: The Eagles lost a couple of defensive backs this offseason. They traded safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson to the Texans, and Darius Slay Jr. signed with the Steelers. Mukuba, a four-year starter at the college level, helps replenish a young, talented defensive backfield led by Quinyon Mitchell and Super Bowl standout Cooper DeJean. Mukuba played both safety and nickel in college. It will be interesting to see how defensive coordinator Fangio plans to deploy him to take advantage of his playmaking abilities. Mukuba (6-foot, 185 pounds) is on the smaller side for a safety.

Key stat: Mukuba had an SEC-leading five interceptions in 2024. If that trend continues in the pros, it will help offset the loss of Garder-Johnson, who had 12 picks during his two seasons in Philadelphia. The starting safety spot opposite Reed Blankenship is currently up for grabs. The Eagles want to give 2023 third-round pick Sydney Brown a crack at the job but also wanted to add competition, which Mukuba provides.

Round 4, No. 111: Ty Robinson, DT, Nebraska

My take: The Eagles continue to address positions where they incurred losses earlier this offseason. With Milton Williams leaving in free agency, Robinson will help solidify a defensive tackle rotation headlined by Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis. Robinson's 15 tackles for loss in 2024 was the most by a Nebraska player since Ndamukong Suh in 2009. He comes in with plenty of reps under his belt after starting 47 games at the college level. His athleticism showed up at the NFL combine as well, as he ran the fastest 40-yard dash among defensive tackles (4.83 seconds).

Round 5, No. 145: Mac McWilliams, CB, Central Florida

My take: Philadelphia adds another piece to its young and promising cornerback room. The departure of veteran Darius Slay Jr. left an opening at outside corner. Cooper DeJean, one of the standouts from Super Bowl LIX, could make the move after playing last year in the slot, which would create a need at nickel. McWilliams (5-foot-10, 191 pounds), who played both outside and inside at UCF and ran a 4.41-second 40-yard dash at the combine, might be a candidate for that role. He creates more options in a cornerback room led by DeJean and Quinyon Mitchell that also features Adoree' Jackson and Kelee Ringo.

Round 5, No. 161: Smael Mondon Jr., LB, Georgia

My take: Yet another Bulldog makes his way to Philly, joining the likes of Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Nakobe Dean, Kelee Ringo and Nolan Smith Jr. on the defensive side of the ball. A two-time national champion, Mondon was a three-year starter at Georgia and saw time at inside linebacker, outside linebacker and nickel. He missed four games in 2024 with a foot injury. He can be a special teams contributor, and perhaps vie for some reps at linebacker, as Dean recovers from a torn patella tendon.

Round 5, No. 168: Drew Kendall, C, Boston College

My take: The Eagles finally select an offensive player, and unsurprisingly go with their bread and butter: O-line. Kendall, named First-Team All-ACC in 2024, started 37 games at center for Boston College and tested well at the NFL Scouting Combine with the second-fastest short-shuttle time among offensive linemen. It will be interesting to see whether they try him at guard, seeing as the starting center position belongs to Cam Jurgens. If nothing else, Kendall can provide some depth.

Round 6, No. 181: Kyle McCord, QB, Syracuse

My take: The Eagles continue to invest in the quarterback position even with franchise signal-caller Jalen Hurts in the fold. McCord led the FBS in passing yards and set the ACC's single-season passing yards record (4,779) in his lone season with the Orange after leaving Ohio State for Syracuse. The Philadelphia native threw 34 touchdowns to 12 interceptions last year. Philadelphia traded Kenny Pickett to the Browns this offseason. Even with a lot of faith in backup Tanner McKee, the Eagles always want to make sure their QB room is as stacked as possible.

Round 6, No. 191 (from Denver): Myles Hinton, OT, Michigan

My take: Hinton brings some position versatility. He started 20 games at right tackle and 11 games at left tackle across five seasons in college. Offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland is widely considered the best in the business and will look to optimize the 6-foot-7, 323-pound Hinton, who can shoot for the role of swing tackle if he makes the team.

Round 6, No. 207 (from Jets): Cameron Williams, T, Texas

My take: The Eagles get a developmental offensive lineman who played mostly right tackle at Texas. Philadelphia has invested a couple picks now on tackles with upside in the latter rounds. It's a good bet O-line coach Jeff Stoutland will get the most of them as the Eagles search for depth and, in a best-case scenario, look to hit on an eventual replacement for standout veteran Lane Johnson. Williams said he dealt with an injury this past season that caused his heel to lock up and required surgery.

Round 6, No. 209: Antwaun Powell-Ryland, Edge, Virginia Tech

My take: Philly gets a productive edge rusher late in Round 6. Powell-Ryland finished third in the FBS last season with 16 sacks and has 25.5 takedowns total over the last two years. The Eagles opened their draft by selecting Jihaad Campbell, the Alabama standout who figures to play on the edge a good amount for defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, and bookend that by taking another pass-rush option in Powell-Ryland -- not a bad idea after losing Josh Sweat and Brandon Graham this offseason.