Time For An Encore

The 2025 Eagles draft class will factor prominently into the team’s 2026 outlook. At the forefront are a pair of defensive starters at linebacker and safety, respectively, both positions of significance in a Vic Fangio defense.

Their development will be an essential component to the expected defensive surge. The class also produced a heap of key depth pieces, some of whom will be tasked with undertaking larger roles. The early returns reveal a mixed bag, though, as you’ll find, there’s plenty of reason for optimism.

GETTY IMAGES/Terence Lewis: Jihaad Campbell will look to build off a good rookie season, stepping into a starting ILB role.

Below, I revisited the Eagles’ 2025 class and forecasted their respective outlooks heading into training camp:

LB Jihaad Campbell (Round 1, No. 31)

Returning ahead of schedule from a post-combine shoulder surgery, Campbell started the first eight games of last season. Nakobe Dean replaced him in the starting lineup coming out of the bye week, though the pivot shouldn’t be viewed as a slight against Campbell. Dean, when healthy, served as the quarterback of the Eagles’ defense. Campbell, 22, combined for 80 tackles (two for loss), three passes defended, an interception and a quarterback hit across 710 snaps.

Campbell reclaims the role previously held by Dean, who departed in free agency. He’ll team with All-Pro Zack Baun, supplying the Eagles with an athletic and rangy second-level tandem. Campbell’s coverage ability and matchup potential should arm coordinator Vic Fangio with more optionality. It’s worth noting that Campbell was sidelined for successive springs while recovering from shoulder surgeries, something to keep an eye on this summer.

S Drew Mukuba (Round 2, No. 64)

Mukuba was a 10-game starter for the Eagles last season at safety, opposite veteran Reed Blankenship. Sure, there were some early hiccups, but Mukuba eventually settled into his role, playing faster and more disciplined. A fractured ankle suffered in Week 12 shortened his rookie season, but Mukuba provided plenty of optimism over an 11-game sample size. He finished with 46 tackles (two for loss), three passes defended, a pair of interceptions and a half-sack across 672 snaps.

With Blankenship departing in free agency, Mukuba now headlines the position. It’s a tall task for a second-year player with a limited resume, to be sure, but the cerebral Mukuba is a player the Eagles are excited about. The 23-year-old appeared spry during team drills this spring and his progression suggests a second-year surge.

GETTY IMAGES/Mitchell Leff: Can the Eagles get more from DT Ty Robinson in his second season?

DT Ty Robinson (Round 4, No. 111)

The selection of Robinson was met with considerable fanfare, but the Nebraska standout encountered growing pains in his first training camp – hardly uncommon for rookies – resulting in a generally quiet summer. Unable to leapfrog Byron Young on the depth chart before the season, Robinson slotted in as the Eagles’ fifth defensive tackle. He played sparingly as a rookie, logging 104 defensive snaps over 11 appearances. In total, Robinson registered five tackles and a quarterback hit.

With Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis and Moro Ojomo leading the way in 2026, it’s tough to envision Robinson undertaking a much heftier workload this season. What you should be looking for from Robinson this training camp, however, is growth. And with Ojomo and Young entering the final year of their rookie deals, Robinson’s development becomes especially key for future depth purposes.

CB Mac McWilliams (Round 5, No. 145)

If you recall, McWilliams generated mild buzz early in camp, though it was ultimately short-lived. A nickelback by trade, McWilliams cross-trained at cornerback, sparking curiosity. A quad injury sidelined him for a brief period last summer, but McWilliams quickly returned to action, performing well enough in his opportunities to earn a spot on the Eagles’ 53-man roster. The UCF product never managed to crack the defensive back rotation and was largely a weekly inactive on game days, appearing in only five games. McWilliams, 24, finished with 28 defensive snaps and another 21 on special teams.

McWilliams will again be in contention for a depth spot, competing against the likes of Jakorian Bennett, among others. I’m curious to see if the cross-training continues, and how McWilliams returns after a year mostly spent honing his craft behind the scenes. It’s a big summer for him.

LB Smael Mondon Jr. (Round 5, No. 161)

A pleasant surprise in his first training camp, Mondon Jr. consistently flashed playmaking ability. His instincts for the position are apparent. The Eagles, of course, are brimming with talent at his position, so there were never going to be many available snaps for a deep reserve. Mondon Jr. instead made his presence felt on special teams, where he finished fifth on the unit in snaps (289). He was credited with 11 stops, tying TE/FB Cameron Latu.

Not much has changed for Mondon Jr., with the three players ahead of him in the pecking order (Zack Baun, Jihaad Campbell, Jeremiah Trotter Jr.) all returning. Barring injury, his role figures to remain unchanged in 2026. With key third phase contributors Kylen Granson and Sydney Brown departing this offseason, look for Mondon Jr.’s role to increase there. That said, with a year of experience under his belt, I’ll be interested to see if the 23-year-old can build on his previous summer success.

GETTY IMAGES: Second-year interior OL Drew Kendall, a center by trade, is getting some work at guard.

OL Drew Kendall (Round 5, No. 168)

Kendall, 24, appeared in seven games as a rookie, logging 89 offensive snaps. His most meaningful snaps were absorbed in the season finale, where Kendall, in his first NFL start at center, accounted for 64 snaps. The Boston College product handled himself well in his first extensive action at the controls, capping an otherwise uneventful rookie campaign with a promising showing.

Kendall, an understudy last season to versatile veteran Brett Toth, steps into a critical reserve role in 2026. With Toth, who last season started games at center and guard a season, now a member of the San Francisco 49ers, Kendall is positioned to serve as his replacement. And it seems the Eagles, who this spring cross-trained Kendall at guard, are moving forward with that approach.

QB Kyle McCord (Round 6, No. 181)

The Mount Laurel native struggled to find his foothold in the offense fairly early last summer and was never able to salvage his opportunity. McCord spent the entire 2025 season on the Eagles’ practice squad, and in January, signed a reserve/future contract with the Green Bay Packers.

OT Myles Hinton (Round 6 No. 191)

A back injury landed Hinton on injured reserve when the Eagles unveiled their initial 53-man roster. In November, the Eagles opened Hinton’s 21-day practice window, though it would ultimately expire, effectively ending his rookie campaign.

Hinton, 24, finds himself vying for a depth role this summer amongst a relatively crowded field. Something that could differentiate Hinton from other contenders, however, is versatility. During spring practices, the Eagles cross-trained Hinton – a tackle by trade – at guard, which could potentially increase his chances of seizing a backup spot.

GETTY IMAGES/Cooper Neill: In his second season, OT Cameron Williams will try to showcase more development and make a roster push.

OT Cameron Williams (Round 6, No. 207)

When the Eagles selected the intriguing, albeit unpolished, Williams, it was widely viewed as a swing for upside. Willimas would require the benefit of time. Still, Williams made the Eagles’ 53-man roster as the final offensive lineman. A shoulder injury sent the Texas product to injured reserve following Week 1, and the Eagles opened his practice window in early December. Williams was activated in time to appear in the Eagles’ Week 18 tilt with the Washington Commanders, where he logged 51 offensive snaps. And for what it’s worth, in his first NFL action, Williams delivered an encouraging performance.

I’m interested to see where Williams is at this stage of his development. As of now, his reps have come exclusively at tackle, a position in which the Eagles would appear to be well-stocked after re-signing veteran Fred Johnson and drafting Markel Bell in the third-round. Williams has showcased developmental qualities, but unless he can provide positional versatility, is there a path to sneak onto the roster for another season?

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

Powell-Ryland, who in two seasons at Virginia Tech combined for 25.5 sacks and 33.5 tackles for loss, generated a bit of intrigue last offseason. Although reps in training camp were at a premium, Powell-Ryland did little to distinguish himself and ultimately came up short in his roster bid. After multiple stints on the Eagles’ practice squad, Powell-Ryland signed on with the Bengals’ practice squad in November, remaining there for the final stretch of the season. After the season, the Bengals signed Powell–Ryland to a reserve/future deal.

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