Class Acts

As the NFL offseason revs up and prepares to shift to the evaluation portion of the draft cycle, much of the focus in the coming months will center on optimal team fits and areas in need of addressing. But before looking into the future, let’s first assess the most recent crop of youngsters the Eagles brought in last spring, and how those components project into the roster equation.

Here’s a look back on the Eagles’ 2025 draft class, as well as their respective outlooks heading into their second season:

GETTY IMAGES: FIrst-round LB Jihaad Campbell could be poised to start in Year 2.

LB Jihaad Campbell (Round 1, No. 31)

Campbell appeared in all 17 regular season games, 10 of which he started, and performed quite well, racking up 80 tackles (two for loss), three passes defended and an interception. He also forced and recovered a fumble. But what stood out most about Campbell was just how quickly he adjusted to the pro game and settled into a role in which communication is paramount. It became evident early on that Campbell brings uniqueness to the position. His length affects throwing windows, while his coverage acumen and instinctiveness enables Campbell to cover running backs and tight ends.

Through no fault of his own, Campbell eventually took a backseat to Nakobe Dean, who returned from a gruesome knee injury in October. Dean, a trusted option, knows how to play the position, has a strong rapport with Zack Baun and defends the run well as any linebacker. Dean played well, and coordinator Vic Fangio typically refrains from rotation at that position, which relegated Campbell to a cameo role. Campbell, to his credit, never sulked. He instead embraced his role, whatever the capacity, and was a consummate professional. His time is coming, and soon. The Eagles drafted Campbell in the first round with the intent of him becoming an impactful mainstay, making the potential offseason departure of Dean — a pending free agent — easier to withstand. Campbell is positioned for a breakout campaign in 2026.

S Drew Mukuba (Round 2, No. 64)

The rangy, cerebral Mukuba overcame some nagging preseason injuries and did enough with his opportunities to stave off third-year pro Sydney Brown, opening the season as the starter at safety opposite Reed Blankenship. Mukuba, who experienced some early growing pains at a position that commands considerable responsibilities under coordinator Vic Fangio, grew into the role and was coming on a bit before suffering a season-ending fractured ankle in late November. The Texas product finished with 46 tackles (two for loss), three passes defended and a pair of interceptions. During locker cleanout, Mukuba expressed optimism to return for spring practices but was still sporting a boot on his right foot. Judging off photos that surfaced this week on social media, when Campbell and Mukuba rang the bell at the Philadelphia 76ers game, it appears that Mukuba has since ditched the boot. The 23-year-old carries immense upside and should be able to pick up where he left off, this time with a better understanding of the intricacies of the defense.

Eagles DT Ty Robinson didn’t play much in 2025 but could be a key rotational piece next season.

DT Ty Robinson (Round 4, No. 111)

Affectionately known as the “Vanilla Gorilla” from his playing days at Nebraska, Robinson was widely expected to make an early impact in a rotational role. Robinson, after all, appeared in 60 games for the Cornhuskers and showed well at the Senior Bowl. The Eagles, at least on paper, also had a need for depth at the position in light of the free agent departure of Milton Williams. This feels like a good time to remind people that not every young player progresses at the same rate, and Robinson did little to distinguish himself in training camp and was ultimately bypassed in the pecking order by third-year pro Byron Young. Robinson, 24, appeared in 11 games last season for the Eagles, registering five tackles, a pass defended and a quarterback hit across 104 defensive snaps. The Eagles could conceivably elect to add to the room this offseason, creating more competition, but Robinson is only a year removed from his fourth-round selection. His opportunities carve out a larger role this summer should still be plentiful.

CB Mac McWilliams (Round 5, No. 145)

The 2025 “Rookie Diary” subject for “Inside The Birds,” McWilliams opened some eyes with his playmaking ability early in camp, but cooled a bit as the summer wore on. He missed a handful of practices with a quad injury but showcased competitiveness and versatility, beginning at nickel and cross-training outside. When the regular season began, McWilliams rarely factored into the gameday equation, appearing in just five games, accounting for 28 defensive snaps and another 21 on special teams. He logged a career-high 21 defensive snaps in the regular season finale. McWilliams, who logged plenty of early mornings with cornerbacks coach Roy Anderson, enters his second season with a leg-up over whatever late-round rookies or undrafted free agents the team might bring into the fold, and will presumably be in contention for a reserve role at multiple positions.

ITB PHOTO/ANDREW DICECCO: Mac McWilliams will be fighting to make the roster next year in his second year as a fourth-round pick.

LB Smael Mondon (Round 5, No. 161)

Based solely on training camp performance, Mondon was consistently among the Eagles’ more impressive defensive players. His physicality was apparent, as was his nose for the football. Mondon even showcased his coverage chops, best supported by the practice in which he carried running back Saquon Barkley down the left sideline and broke up a well-placed wheel route. The preseason games, however, revealed some inevitable growing pains – hardly abnormal for a young player – that served as the annal “pump the breaks” reminder. Plus, coordinator Vic Fangio historically refrains from rotating at off-ball linebacker, and the Eagles already had Zack Baun, Campbell and second-year pro Jeremiah Trotter Jr. ahead in the pecking order, not to mention Dean working his way back. Still, Mondon carved out a meaningful role on special teams, racking up 289 third phase snaps. Barring something unforeseen, Mondon again faces a logjam at the position entering his second season, but the Eagles landed an intriguing developmental prospect.

OL Drew Kendall (Round 5, No. 168)

The son of longtime NFL offensive lineman Pete Kendall, Drew Kendall qualified as an intriguing Day 3 selection, having started 37 games at center for Boston College. Kendall appeared to have the inside track to serve as the immediate backup to starter Cam Jurgens, but the Eagles instead turned to versatile veteran Brett Toth – who developed a friendship with Kendall and mentored the rookie behind the scenes – and impressed when called upon. Kendall appeared in seven games, making his lone start of the season in the regular season finale, totaling 64 snaps in a promising showing. Kendall plays with good technique and boasts a high-level football IQ. He’s also a relatively fluid-mover, making him an appealing fit for the presumed style of offensive lineman coveted under new offensive coordinator Sean Mannion. He’ll have an opportunity to make the leap to primary reserve in 2026.

QB Kyle McCord (Round 6, No. 181)

McCord spent the entirety of the 2025 season on the Eagles’ practice squad and signed a reserve/future deal with the Green Bay Packers. Given the team’s recent track record, look for the Eagles to add another arm in the upcoming draft to develop behind Jalen Hurts as the “Quarterback Factory” continues to churn.

OT Myles Hinton (Round 6, No. 191)

The first of back-to-back tackles taken, Hinton, son of seven-time Pro Bowler Chris Hinton, entered the league regarded as a polished prospect, playing collegiately at Stanford and Michigan. With so much uncertainty along the offensive in terms of depth, Hinton would have a legitimate opportunity to make the roster as a developmental prospect. As it were, Hinton landed on injured reserve with a back injury when the initial 53-man roster was revealed. The Eagles eventually opened his 21-day practice window, but the timeframe to return expired, ending his season before ever appearing in a game.

Hinton, 24, once again figures to compete for a roster spot in what figures to be a crowded room.

Drafted as an OT project, can Cameron Williams make a major jump in Year 2?

OT Cameron Williams (Round 6, No. 207)

An ideal late-round swing for upside, Williams likely would have come off the board earlier this April. But the Eagles, at the time, had perhaps the top offensive line coach in the sport in Jeff Stoutland, whose track record of player development is unparalleled. In a bit of a surprise given Williams’ modest summer and inexperience, the former Longhorn made the Eagles’ 53-man roster but spent most of the season on injured reserve following an early September shoulder injury.

Williams was eventually activated to the 53 in time to appear in the regular season finale against the Washington Commanders, making his NFL debut. The 22-year-old logged 51 snaps and showcased signs of promise. The sample size, albeit brief, showcased the work Williams had put in behind the scenes. It also, once again, highlighted Stoutland’s inherent knack for maximizing talent. While Stoutland no longer holds the role he occupied for 13 seasons, Williams will be a player to watch this summer, as he has the traits — and invaluable experience and perspective — to possibly elevate into a Fred Johnson-like reserve role.

OLB Antwuan Powell-Ryland (Round 6, No. 209)

Powell-Ryland garnered plenty of outside buzz ahead of training camp, coming off two seasons at Virginia Tech in which he combined for 25.5 sacks. Reps were infrequent last summer, sure, but Powell-Ryland hardly flashed in his opportunities in any tangible way (sans the preseason finale) and was among the heap of players waived during roster cutdowns. He was promptly signed to the practice squad. Powell-Ryland finished the 2025 season on the Bengals’ practice squad, signing a reserve/future deal after the season.

— Andrew DiCecco (@AndrewDiCecco) is a Staff Reporter/Content Producer for InsideTheBirds.com