Philadelphia Eagles Rookie Forecast 2025

Eagles Rookie Forecast 2025

Solid Starter

Andrew Mukuba, S, Texas – Round 3

For many years, the safety position received a lot of criticism from Eagles fans and media analysts. With the arrival of defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, the entire defense was vastly improved, including the safeties. Philadelphia has veterans Sydney Brown and Reed Blankenship returning in 2025, but that did not stop them from looking for a future upgrade when they took Mukuba in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft.

The 5-foot-11, 186-pound Mukuba was a dynamic defender for the Longhorns in 2024. Mukuba was a dangerous ballhawk in the deep middle of the field, recording five interceptions and seven passes broken up. He did a nice job of locking down the deep part of the field, covering a lot of ground in coverage, and showing impressive instincts. Mukuba also made improvements as a tackler over his time at Clemson and totaled 69 tackles in his final season of college football.

Blankenship is entering the final season of his contract with Philadelphia, and Mukuba is in line to be the replacement. A year learning under Fangio and getting accustomed to NFL passing attacks could be a real blessing for helping Mukuba to blossom in his second season. After a year as a backup, I think Mukuba will emerge as a solid starter for Philadelphia.

2024: Quinyon Mitchell, CB
2023: Tyler Steen, G
2022: Nakobe Dean, LB
2021: Landon Dickerson, C
2020: Davion Taylor, LB
2019: Miles Sanders, RB
2018: Avonte Maddox, CB
2017: Derek Barnett, DE
2016: Isaac Seumalo, C
2015: Nelson Agholor, WR
2014: Marcus Smith, OLB
2013: Zach Ertz, TE

Most Likely To Bust

The Eagles were without a third-round pick, and I don’t believe that their first- or second-rounder has real bust potential. Players drafted on day three aren’t real busts if they don’t stick in the NFL, as the vast majority of day three picks do not make it as professionals. Thus, I don’t see a player with true bust potential from the Eagles’ draft class.

2024: Jalyx Hunt, OLB
2023: Nolan Smith, DE
2022: None
2021: Milton Williams, DT
2020: Jalen Hurts, QB
2019: Shareef Miller, DE
2018: Josh Sweat, DE
2017: Rasul Douglas, CB
2016: Wendall Smallwood, RB
2015: Jordan Hicks, LB
2014: Josh Huff, WR
2013: Bennie Logan, DT

Potential Boom Pick

Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama – Round 1

The Philadelphia Eagles traded up one spot in the first round to land Campbell, and that was a tremendous landing spot. Campbell (6-3, 244) is a great fit in Vic Fangio’s defense with his dynamic run-stuffing ability, pursuit skills, and dangerous blitzer. Many evaluators around the league considered Campbell to be among the top-10 prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft, and the only reason why he was going later in the first round was because of concerns about a shoulder injury and the devaluing of off-ball linebackers by teams around the league.

The NFL is a passing-driven league, so for a linebacker to get selected in the first round of the NFL Draft, they must be an asset in defending aerial offenses. Campbell is definitely that, and he is a versatile chess piece that can be used in a variety of ways. Campbell reads plays quickly and covers a lot of ground in zone. His height and length make him valuable to interrupt passing lanes, and that could be seen in his interception of Carson Beck last year (see below). With his length and quickness, Campbell can run down the middle seam and functions well as a Tampa 2 coverage linebacker. On dump-off passes to the flat, Campbell is quick enough to get to the ball carrier and is good at making tackles in space. His size and athleticism allow him to have the potential to play some man coverage on tight ends and backs out of the backfield.

Along with being able to cover, Campbell is a dangerous speed rusher off the edge. He is fast and explosive to get upfield to run around offensive tackles. Campbell is agile and athletic to dip underneath blockers with the ability to sink his hips to get pointed to the quarterback. Campbell could be utilized as a subpackage edge rusher, along with being a pass coverage linebacker.

In run defense, Campbell is big and physical in the tackle box. He is instinctive and fast to read his keys to get in position to make tackles. Campbell is strong enough to take on and shed blocks with a quick burst to fire at the ball carrier. With his strength and physical attitude, Campbell will hit hard and put ball carriers into the turf with violence. Campbell is fast, instinctive, big, and could be a three-down middle linebacker in the NFL.

Campbell will probably start out as a backup to veteran Nakobe Dean, but Dean has had durability issues in his career going back to his time at Georgia, and Dean is in the last year of his contract with Philadelphia. With his instincts and speed, Campbell will be an asset for defending Washington quarterback Jayden Daniels and taking on ground attacks from conference rivals like the Lions, Packers, 49ers, Rams, and Buccaneers. Campbell could prove to be a real boom pick for the Eagles.

2024: Cooper DeJean, CB
2023: Jalen Carter, DT
2022: Jordan Davis, DT
2021: DeVonta Smith, WR
2020: Jalen Reagor, WR
2019: Andre Dillard, OT
2018: Dallas Goedert, TE
2017: Sidney Jones, CB
2016: Carson Wentz, QB
2015: Eric Rowe, CB
2014: Jordan Matthews, WR
2013: Lane Johnson, OT

Future Depth Player

Ty Robinson, DT, Nebraska – Round 4

The Eagles lost some veteran defensive linemen in free agency, and they drew on a deep class of defensive tackles to fortify their depth. Robinson was an excellent selection on day three of the draft as he would have been a day-two pick in other years that are not as strong at tackle. The 6-foot-5, 288-pound Robinson was an underrated prospect as he is disruptive at the point of attack. He is strong and physical as a run defender that can hold up on the inside, or be a power end to set the edge. While he won’t be a prolific sack artist, Robinson can generate a push in the pass rush and help eat up space in the pocket to make it tough for quarterbacks to step up. Robinson could be an excellent rotational defensive lineman who can help at a few spots and keep starters fresh by providing quality snaps off the bench. I think he could be a fantastic depth player for Philadelphia.

2024: Jeremiah Trotter Jr., LB
2023: Tanner McKee, QB
2022: Grant Calcaterra, TE
2021: Kenny Gainwell, RB
2020: John Hightower, WR
2019: Clayton Thorson, QB
2018: Matt Pryor, OT
2017: Donnel Pumphrey, RB
2016: Alex McCalister, LB
2015: JaCorey Shepherd, CB
2014: Jaylen Watkins, CB
2013: Matt Barkley, QB