The Philadelphia Eagles selected an off-ball linebacker in the first-round of the NFL Draft on Thursday the first time since 1979 when they picked Jerry Robinson out of UCLA.

After trading up one spot with the Kansas City Chiefs, the Eagles selected Jihaad Campbell, a linebacker from Alabama University.

The Eagles gave the Chiefs a fifth-round pick in the trade.

“Really excited to have him,” Eagles general manager Howie Rosemsn said.

“Wasn’t really something we anticipated. Understand some of the other teams may have reasons for taking other players, but for us, this is a really easy pick. He’s a really explosive player. He can play inside. He can be an edge rusher. I just really feel fortunate to bring him home back to Philly.”

Campbell, 21, was a two-year starter at Alabama. He also played some snaps on the edge. However, he is primarily a linebacker.

Campbell had 117 tackles, 11 1/2 tackles for loss, five sacks and two forced fumbles last season. He was an All-SEC player for the Crimson Tide.

Campbell played football at Timber Creek High School in Gloucester Township, New Jersey. The South Jersey native played his final high school season at nationally-ranked IMG Academy in Florida.

The 6-foot-3, 235-pound Campbell possesses a lot of athleticism and coverage ability. Vic Fangio has a desire for quality linebacker play, which most likely factored into the decision.

It also may say something about Nakobe Dean and his health. He tore is patellar tendon during the Eagles’ Super Bowl run. The injury is very serious and it could keep the linebacker out most of, if not all of, next season. Recovery time for that type of knee injury could be nine-plus months.

The selection also shows the Eagles FINALLY value the linebacker position.

The Eagles re-signed linebacker Zack Baun to a three-year, $51 million contract extension last month. Let’s not forget 2024 fifth-round pick Jeremiah Trotter Jr., who had been only the 12th linebacker selected by Roseman in his previous 14 drafts.

Before Thursday, Trotter had been the second-highest linebacker Roseman selected. The highest had been Mychal Kendricks, who was the 46th overall pick in 2012. However, the selection of Campbell changed that, and it’s great to see Roseman value the position more than previous years.

So, even if Dean misses next season, Baun, Trotter and Campbell should be a great trio at linebacker.

Baun is a veteran and will help Campbell grow and develop, which will already happen playing in Fangio’s system. Just look at last season with rookies like Cooper DeJean and Quinyon Mitchell. They quickly developed, and that is an understatement. That is a testament to not only Howie Roseman and his recent ability to draft studs, but also to Fangio.

Also, when Dean does return (whether its late next season or in 2026), the mix of Dean, Campbell and Baun may just be electric.

Campbell was considered to be the best off-ball linebacker in this year’s draft, but he suffered a small tear in his labrum in December and underwent surgery in March, which is most likely the reason he fell.

As long as he can stay healthy, the Eagles got a steal.

“Again, this was a top-10 player on our board. We do not have any long-term concerns with his health. We look at the draft as a long-term opportunity for our team,” Roseman said.

“We have a lot of confidence this guy’s going to be here and play at a really high level for a long time. When you’re in a draft and you’re picking at the end of the first round, you don’t have an opportunity to get a top-10 player on your board. A guy who can affect the quarterback, a guy who can affect the passing game. For us, it was a no brainer. Local kid, great character. So we were really excited to add him.”