The Philadelphia Eagles had a 10-player 2025 rookie draft class, where they were able to bring in some young talent for the present and the future. Following the draft, many fans and experts were thrilled with who the Eagles were, especially as many of them made a positive impact early on in their first taste of the NFL experience.
But as Week 12 is here, things have taken a turn for the worse in the City of Brotherly Love. Guys like Jihaad Campbell, Andrew Mukuba, and Ty Robinson haven't played to the level fans expected, highlighting how the Eagles' once-wins have turned into noticeable concerns.
Eagles' Rookies Aren't Living Up to Expectations
Campbell started off the season playing at such a high level next to Zack Baun, as Nakobe Dean was rehabbing from a knee injury. His absence allowed more snaps and opportunity to begin the season, in which he answered the bell.
Yet Dean's return has impacted Campbell's playing time. From Week 8 on, Campbell has played in less than 50% of the snaps, while Dean has leapfrogged him on the depth chart. And based on how the defense has looked, it isn't a surprise. In the past four games with Dean in the fold, the Eagles have allowed 14.5 points (h/t @AATBirds).
Philadelphia's defense is playing at an elite level, and Dean's presence has impacted Campbell. In the past two games, Campbell has logged a 56.4 or lower overall grade on Pro Football Focus, which is a drop from eight straight weeks of an overall grade of 67.6 or better. It's certainly a sacrifice that the Eagles are making with Campbell.
In addition, Mukuba was selected in the second round, and many believed he was going to be the answer for them at safety after they shipped out C.J. Gardner-Johnson. While Mukuba has started in nine games for the Eagles, he has a 57.5 overall grade (65th among 93 graded safeties) and a 46.8 coverage grade (81st among 93 graded safeties) on PFF.
Mukuba leaves a ton to be desired in coverage, as he's given up 15 receptions for 304 receiving yards and two touchdowns in 2025.
As for defensive tackle Ty Robinson, he hasn't been able to crack the defensive line rotation. The Eagles nabbed him with the 111th pick in the fourth round. There was an expectation that he would be a run stuffer along the interior, but he hasn't done much of anything. In six games, he has just one total tackle and has been a healthy scratch for several games this season.
Philly has Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Moro Ojomo, and Byron Young as their top four players at DT, which shows that Robinson isn't ready to contribute. Hopefully, he finds a way to prove his worth sooner rather than later.
The Eagles are still among the NFL's top Super Bowl threats, but it's hard not to imagine their outlook would be much better if the above rookies were doing their part. It'll be up to head coach Nick Sirianni and his staff to figure out how to get the first-year disappointments rolling again before the season reaches the point of no return.