Eagles lead the charge in 2025 (a Local breakdown)
The 2025 NFL Draft is in the books, and the NFC East just got a whole lot more interesting. The Eagles doubled down on defense, the Giants scrambled to fix their identity crisis, the Cowboys played it safe (again), and the Commanders opted for quiet consistency. Meanwhile, big swings and head-scratchers echoed across the rest of the league. One local fan breaks it all down — starting with the Birds, of course.
We’ve reached the first major checkpoint of the NFL offseason: the draft. And for Eagles fans, there’s plenty to talk about — beginning with the Birds themselves and a division that’s only getting more competitive.
🦅 Fly, Eagles, Fly: Defense Reloaded 🏈
With key departures during free agency, the Eagles headed into the 2025 Draft looking to fill immediate holes, and they wasted no time making moves. In the first round, they traded up with the Chiefs to land Jihaad Campbell (LB, Alabama), a playmaker with high football IQ and the instincts to make a real difference alongside Nakobe Dean and Zach Baun. Dean, a breakout star last season, is coming off a torn patellar tendon, so Campbell’s arrival couldn’t be better timed for Vic Fangio’s defense. Campbell, a 6’3″, 244-pound linebacker, is lauded for his sideline-to-sideline speed and impressive coverage skills. He also flourished as a quality pass rusher, registering five sacks in his final season at Alabama.
In the second round, the Eagles turned to their secondary, selecting Andrew Mukuba (S, Clemson) to help patch the gap left by C.J. Gardner-Johnson’s move to Houston. Mukuba, who transferred from Clemson and impressed during his senior year at Texas with five interceptions and seven pass breakups, is viewed as a versatile defensive back capable of playing both safety and slot positions. Analysts highlighted his strong instincts, physicality, and ball skills. Despite concerns over his size (6’0”, 190 pounds) and third-round draft projection, many believe his fit in Vic Fangio’s defense and immediate role potential justifies the second-round selection.
In the fourth round, they added Ty Robinson (DT, Nebraska) to bolster the defensive line, addressing depth concerns with a tough, disruptive presence up front. And in the sixth, they grabbed Kyle McCord (QB, Syracuse) — a sign that Howie Roseman is keeping an eye on the future beyond Jalen Hurts, even while building to win now.
Overall, it was a draft focused on immediate needs and longer-term stability. Classic Howie: balancing today’s goals with tomorrow’s insurance.
Giants Try to Regroup
You hate to say it, but the Giants deserve a little credit this year. After watching Saquon Barkley defect to the Eagles — and promptly rush for over 2,000 yards and win a Super Bowl — New York finally showed some urgency. They took Abdul Carter (LB, Penn State) with the 3rd overall pick and traded up to grab Jaxson Dart (QB, Ole Miss) at No. 25.
Pair that with their signings of Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston in free agency, and the Giants’ QB room now looks… crowded, at the very least. It’s a bold strategy. Whether it pays off remains to be seen.
Cowboys: All Hat, No Star?
The Cowboys’ 2025 draft strategy looked more reactive than proactive. They used their first-round pick on Alabama guard Tyler Booker — a solid addition to the offensive line, but hardly the most urgent need for a roster showing cracks elsewhere. Analysts pointed out that Dallas passed over more pressing concerns, like bolstering their wide receiver corps or shoring up an aging, vulnerable secondary.
During his introductory press conference, Booker said all the right things about Dallas being his “dream destination,” but what really caught attention was who he’s most excited to face: Eagles star Jalen Carter.
“You only get better by going against guys like that,” Booker said, which sounds nice, but he might want to brace himself. Carter has made a habit of steamrolling even seasoned NFL veterans.
Later rounds didn’t inspire much more confidence. Dallas grabbed Shavon Revel Jr. (CB, East Carolina) in the third round — a talented prospect, but one coming off an ACL tear. Betting on an injured rookie to anchor a struggling secondary feels more like a roll of the dice than a real plan.
Bottom line: once again, the Cowboys drafted like a team trying to patch holes instead of build something lasting. In other words, more reactive than proactive.
Commanders: Quiet but Calculated
After last season’s playoff breakthrough, Washington kept things steady at the 2025 draft. They used their first pick on Josh Conerly Jr. (OT, Oregon). Known for his athleticism and quick feet, he was a two-year starter at Oregon and earned First-Team All-Big Ten honors. Conerly allowed just one sack in his junior year and is expected to bolster the offensive line alongside veteran Laremy Tunsil.
In the second round, they grabbed Trey Amos (CB, Ole Miss), a physical corner with experience at multiple schools who should add depth to a secondary that showed flashes last season. Amos excels in press coverage and has impressive ball skills, making him a strong addition to Washington’s secondary.
Overall, Washington played it safe — betting on raw talent and development rather than quick fixes. In a division that’s only getting nastier, time will tell if patience pays off.
Elsewhere in the NFL: Big Swings and Bigger Questions
Zooming out to the rest of the league, the Titans made the expected move by drafting Cam Ward (QB, Miami) after Will Levis’ rocky rookie season, which was, frankly, more meme-worthy than highlight-worthy.
Meanwhile, the Jaguars traded up for two-way star Travis Hunter (CB/WR, Colorado), sparking plenty of questions about whether he’ll play both sides of the ball. While Hunter’s versatility is intriguing, injury risks — particularly for defensive players — might make Jacksonville cautious about pushing him too hard in both roles.
Cleveland fans had a rollercoaster of emotions. After missing out on top-tier prospects early, the Browns later selected Dillon Gabriel (QB, Oregon) and Shedeur Sanders (QB, Colorado). Projected to go in the first round, Sanders slipped all the way to 144th overall. Big personalities, ego questions, and other social factors definitely played a role — but honestly, I couldn’t help but root for him. This probably isn’t the outcome Shedeur expected. Still, in a twist of fate, he finally gets the underdog story the Sanders camp was pushing from the start.
WHAT DO YOU THINK? Throw down your comments below — or email Joe via editor@nwlocalpaper.com. If you liked this article, check out Joe’s other piece on how Rite Aid removed shopping cards in their Germantown store years before declaring bankruptcy and closing all their Philly stores. And feel free to reach out anytime with story ideas!
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