Grading The Eagles’ 2025 Draft

Picking last in the draft is a double-edged sword; on one hand, it means that everyone surrounding the Eagles got to celebrate the highest of highs, but it also means that the Eagles have the last pick in every round, compensatory picks aside.

With the departure of several key players on the Eagles’ roster, the majority on the defensive side of the ball, it seemed a certainty that the Eagles’ draft strategy was clear: retool with an emphasis on fast, tough, and physical players.

The most glaring needs seemed to be going in for an Edge rusher and safety, along with finding a Guard to replace Mekhi Becton.

So even though all of these guys are done with college, it’s time to turn in papers and grade not them but Howie Roseman and the front office on this year’s Eagles draft class:

Round 1, Pick 31: Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama – Grade: A+

Campbell came in as a five-star recruit and developed into a key piece for Alabama’s defense. He’s fast, physical, and doesn’t shy away from the big stage. I honestly had Campbell being off the board by the 20th pick, so he wasn’t even an idea in my head to slide to the Eagles. This guy has the talent to be a real game changer at the NFL level.

Pros:

• Elite sideline-to-sideline speed. Can cover tight ends, running backs, and chase down scrambles.
• Experienced in blitz packages, not just a run-stopper.
• Has experience as an Edge rusher, which the Eagles will surely utilize.

Cons:

• Sometimes bites on play action or misdirection. NFL offenses will test that immediately.
• Needs to improve shedding blocks when bigger linemen get to the second level.

Fit with the Eagles:
Campbell could be a true game-changing linebacker if he develops fast, along with playing on the edge. Personally, I think this is the clear steal of the draft. I can see why Howie moved up a place to get him.

Round 2, Pick 64: Andrew Mukuba, S, Texas – Grade: A

Mukuba was a three-year starter between Clemson and Texas. He’s one of those safeties who flies around like he’s shot out of a cannon. He’s a risk taker, but that has not really hindered him, in the Peach Bowl on the national stage, he picked off Sam Leavitt to secure a win over Arizona State, and the fact that with that tape out there on him, it’s a shock he lasted until the end of the second round. Another absolute steal by the front office.

Pros:

• Can line up in multiple spots: deep zone, nickel corner, even a little box safety.
• Instinctive tackler who rarely lets ball carriers slip away.

Cons:

• Takes risks that sometimes lead to busted coverages.
• Lacks ideal size if asked to cover top-tier TEs like Travis Kelce or George Kittle.

Fit with the Eagles:
Mukuba fits Vic Fangio’s need for versatile DBs. He’ll battle for a starting job immediately, and I’d be surprised if he wasn’t a starter by Week 1.

Round 4, Pick 111: Ty Robinson, DT, Nebraska – Grade: B

Robinson was a team captain at Nebraska, known for being the guy who does all the dirty work inside. Coming to the Eagles, he won’t have to be alongside Jalen Carter. Vic Fangio loves guys like Robinson; he’s reminiscent of one of Fangio’s favorite guys in San Francisco, Justin Smith. A motor guy who never stops, and doesn’t need the glory. This could be an absolute steal because of where they got him.

Pros:

• Great anchor against double teams, keeps linebackers clean.
• High motor, never quits on a play, even if the ball is on the other side of the field.

Cons:

• Minimal pass-rush ability. He’s pretty much a two-down player right now.
• Technique gets sloppy when he tires out, which leads to penalties.

Fit with the Eagles:
Perfect fit as rotational depth behind Jordan Davis and Carter to keep the D-line fresh. Plays like Smith, you’re definitely getting 100% on every play.

Round 5, Pick 145: Mac McWilliams, CB, UCF – Grade: B-

McWilliams was a late bloomer who made a name for himself in 2024 with a breakout season at UCF. Though he’s earned the reputation of someone who holds downfield, his rapid growth proves that there is a ton of growth room for him, especially under Fangio, who seems to always get the most out of his secondary players.

Pros:

• Aggressive at the line of scrimmage, he loves to get physical.
• Ballhawk instincts, with good timing to jump routes.

Cons:

• Can get handsy downfield and will draw flags if he’s not careful.
• Needs to work on tackling technique, especially against bigger receivers.

Fit with the Eagles:
Developmental corner with upside. Might start on special teams and work his way into sub-packages. Very good depth piece pending growth.

Round 5, Pick 161: Smael Mondon Jr., LB, Georgia – Grade C+

Mondon was part of Georgia’s loaded linebacker pipeline. Athletic and rangy, but still putting it all together. I see him as more of a project player than someone who will compete this season. It was a bit of a questionable pick with a need at IOL and several solid options on the board, especially with the home run draft pick of Campbell in Round 1.

Pros:

• Can chase running backs out of the backfield or spy athletic quarterbacks.
• Flashes real playmaking ability when he trusts his reads.

Cons:

• Slow to diagnose plays at times, he relies on athleticism to recover.
• Has missed games due to nagging injuries.

Fit with the Eagles:
Adds speed to the second level and gives the Eagles another coverage linebacker option they needed.

Round 5, Pick 168: Drew Kendall, IOL, Boston College – Grade: B+

Kendall was one of the better technical centers in this class, even though he slipped because of his size. I thought the Eagles were picking him at 161, but this all worked out great when they got him 7 picks later.

Pros:

• Very smart, makes all the protection calls at the line.
• Quick and efficient footwork in pass protection.

Cons:

• Lacks elite power and can get bullied by top-tier defensive tackles.
• Durability has been an issue.

Fit with the Eagles:
Ideal project for Jeff Stoutland. Could eventually take over as a guard or backup center. I wasn’t as concerned with the size issue as many because largely Becton hadn’t been a stud until he put on the Eagles uniform. My thought is that Kendall will work well in the Eagles system if he can bulk up a bit this offseason.

Round 6, Pick 181: Kyle McCord, QB, Syracuse – Grade: C-

McCord had all the five-star hype out of high school but never quite met it at Ohio State or Syracuse. He was largely lackluster in both stops in college football, both in programs that are designed to develop QB talent and let that talent shine. Though he isn’t going to be someone who needs to contribute right now, I still am not sure about this one.

Pros:

• Can push the ball downfield with ease. NFL arm strength.
• Smart enough to learn a pro offense even if he’s not flashy.

Cons:

• Lacks consistent accuracy, especially on the move.
• Pocket presence needs serious work, takes bad sacks.

Fit with the Eagles:
Developmental QB3. This feels like a project that has high upside.

Round 6, Pick 191: Myles Hinton, OT, Michigan – Grade: B

Hinton has NFL bloodlines, as his brother, Chris Hinton, was an NFL DT, and comes from a physical Michigan line. He is another development talent who has a huge upside, and I can see this pick bearing fruit in the future.

Pros:

• Big frame and knows how to use it in the run game.
• Decent feet for his size — doesn’t look stiff in space.

Cons:

• Hand placement issues in pass protection that better rushers will exploit.
• Sometimes plays too tall, losing leverage.

Fit with the Eagles:
Project for Stoutland to mold. Could push for a backup swing tackle spot in a year or two.

Round 6, Pick 207: Cameron Williams, OT, Texas – Grade: C+

Williams is another long, athletic tackle with upside but serious development needs.

Pros:

• Light on his feet for a 6’5″, 320-pounder.
• Tenacious in the run game, finishes blocks with a little nastiness.

Cons:

• Technique needs an overhaul, as he gets off-balance too easily.
• Needs a full NFL strength program.

Fit with the Eagles:
Another swing at finding future depth behind Lane Johnson, who won’t play forever. He is someone that Stoutland can work with, though it was a bit curious to draft 2 project tackles in back-to-back picks.

Round 6, Pick 209: Antwaun Powell-Ryland, EDGE, Virginia Tech – Grade: B+

Powell-Ryland exploded in his final year at VT, finally putting his athletic traits together. Since he was such a late bloomer, he slid to the Eagles for their last pick, but I saw him play in several games this season, and he dominated in stretches, so he has it there. If he had 1 more solid season prior, he would have been a 3rd round pick. He could develop into a star at the NFL level.

Pros:

• Quick first step and natural bend off the edge.
• Good motor, he doesn’t quit on plays. Safe to say Fangio has a type.

Cons:

• Undersized for a 4-3 DE. He could get washed out vs. the run.
• Limited experience dropping into coverage if asked to be a SAM in certain packages.

Fit with the Eagles:
Rotational pass-rush specialist. Will need to add strength to the stick, but the juice is real. He’s a project, but has tremendous upside.

Overall Draft Grade – A-

While they addressed all needs and stayed true to the direction of getting physical, fast, and tough players, I would have liked to see the IOL need filled a little earlier. However, last year proved that defense wins championships. They also got a little project-heavy in the later rounds, which, honestly, if just one of them hits, this is an A+ draft. The fact that they got arguably the best LB in the draft, and the ballhawk safety they need, is enough to earn the grade.

I like how this draft went and the fact that Roseman’s phone number wasn’t blocked, as one anonymous GM said going into the draft. It’s obvious that Fangio had huge input in the early picks, and so far in his time in Philly, this has been proven to be a smart thing to do.

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