Campbell projects to be a starting off-ball linebacker or edge rusher in the Eagles’ defensive scheme. He was originally recruited by Alabama to be an edge rusher, then he switched to linebacker when got stuck behind some of Alabama’s pass rushers.

Former Alabama standout Jihaad Campbell became the first off-ball linebacker taken by the team since Jerry Robinson in 1979, but it’s not quite that simple. He may have a clear pathway to starting alongside Eagles do-it-all linebacker Zack Baun as a rookie early next year, but could also have pathways to much more based off his college tape.

The Eagles routinely put on clinics when navigating the NFL draft board. Thursday night was no different after the team waited and eventually traded up one spot with the Chiefs to select Jihaad Campbell out of Alabama.