It's often said that determining just how strong a respective NFL draft class is can take three, perhaps four, years down the line, as full potential is, of course, a slow reveal. For the Philadelphia Eagles, though, a team laser-focused on getting back to the Super Bowl, the time is now for the 2025 rookie class to show and prove.
Looking back at last season and how the recent OTAs played out as the organization preps for training camp, a general sense of how this group of second-year players is coming along can be assessed.
We'll hone in on the top three selections, while providing an overview of the later rounds as well.
Regrading the Eagles' 2025 NFL Draft class
First Round - Jihaad Campbell - LB - Grade B
While it was by no means a luxury pick by general manager Howie Roseman, the selection of Campbell was, in fact, done without designs on him immediately starting as a rookie last season. Heading into the 2025 draft, hardly anyone projected the Eagles going linebacker in Round 1, but when the highly decorated Alabama product slid down draft boards, Roseman swiftly pounced.
Now, with Nakobe Dean gone to Vegas, it's showtime for the former Bama star in the middle.
Widely viewed as a fast-ascending talent on the verge of breaking out, Campbell has been hampered by ongoing shoulder woes, missing some time last year, and finding himself relegated to the sidelines once more in OTA's. In duty across 10 starts as a rookie, he flashed plenty with 80 tackles, but full health is paramount if his selection by Roseman in the first round is to be fully justifiable down the road.
Second Round - Andrew Mukuba - Safety - Grade C+
Injuries struck the Birds' second-round selection as well, as Mukuba was knocked out for the rest of the regular season in Week 12 action with that tough fractured ankle and fibula suffered in Dallas. When healthy, Mukuba exhibited elite athleticism, but he also exhibited concerning bouts of erratic play.
With a pair of interceptions, including a beautiful pick against Patrick Mahomes on the road, the pure talent of the former Texas Longhorn cannot be questioned. But with a PFF grade that saw him grade out as the second-lowest of all rookie safeties, Mukuba must dial in and clean up those costly mental lapses in year 2.
Fourth Round - Ty Robinson - DL - Grade D -
Dubbed 'The Vanilla Gorilla', Robinson arrived with plenty of fanfare and high hopes. Yet it didn't translate over to training camp, and he was limited to just five total tackles in his rookie campaign. Robinson suited up for 11 games, offering minimal impact in the trenches. And as he prepares for a training camp that could very well determine his job security in Philadelphia, Robinson absolutely has to step things up to show he belongs.
Later selections
With the first three selections dedicated to defense, Roseman continued his run on defenders into the fifth round, landing cornerback Mac McWilliams (Grade D) and linebacker Smael Mondon Jr. (Grade B-)
Similar to Robinson, McWilliams also enjoyed a strong training camp as a rookie, but it just didn't resonate in regular season action, as he was relegated to backup duties when active. He certainly has his work cut out for him this August.
Meanwhile, Mondon Jr. offers plenty of long-term intrigue given his capabilities in pass coverage, coupled with his special teams prowess. Out of the later selections in this class, Mondon Jr. has shown the most thus far.
Fellow fifth-rounder Drew Kendall joins sixth-rounders Myles Hinton and Cameron Williams in the incomplete category for me grade-wise, with the trio of offensive linemen facing a critical upcoming training camp to remain in the mix long-term. As it stands, they'll need to show something this coming camp to avoid a D grade.
Read more: Even Howie Roseman has had some first-round blunders in his career
Meanwhile, Kyle McCord (sixth round- Grade F) and Antwaun Powell-Ryland (sixth round - Grade F) were long gone before we even got to know them.
Add us as a preferred source on Google