In the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, the Philadelphia Eagles selected linebacker Jihaad Campbell with the 31st pick, and everyone asked how other teams keep allowing the Eagles to get away with draft steals. Campbell is considered one of the most talented players in the class, and he went to the defending champs at the end of the first round.
One team that could’ve prevented that from happening was the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who picked with the 19th pick in the first round. The Bucs selected wide receiver Emeka Egbuka but they reportedly loved Campbell. ESPN reporter Jeremy Fowler recently revealed that in a post-draft piece sharing key intel for all 32 teams.
The reason Tampa Bay loved Campbell, but decided not to pick him is because they were concerned with his medical profile.
"The Bucs indeed did love Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell, but like other teams, the overall medical profile was a bit of a concern…Several teams saw him as a top-10 talent but had concerns about his durability after multiple injuries in college."Jeremy Fowler (ESPN)
Buccaneers loved Jihaad Campbell but passed on him because of injury concerns
Fowler explained that several teams considered Campbell one of the 10 best players in the draft, but his medicals kept teams away. Philly, on the other hand, spent most of the first round trying to trade up for him, and ultimately got to 31 to make it happen. So either the Eagles aren’t as concerned with his injury history, or they believe his talent is worth the gamble.
Campbell played at Alabama for three years, dominating in 35 total games over his career. However, he reportedly has issues with both shoulders and knees. The linebacker had surgery shortly after the scouting combine to repair a torn labrum, and that definitely didn’t help his case with teams like the Buccaneers.
Campbell is a versatile defender that can thrive as an off-ball linebacker or as an edge rusher. If he can stay healthy, he’ll be an incredible steal for the Eagles, but the Buccaneers were more comfortable moving forward with their talented young receiver.