Jihaad Campbell's impact in Philadelphia didn't go unnoticed.
Campbell was named to the Pro Football Writers of America All-Rookie Team after playing in all 17 games and making 10 starts for the Eagles. It is the fourth straight season that the Eagles' top draft pick earned the honor.
A first-round pick out of Alabama, Campbell finished his rookie season with 76 total tackles, 11 quarterback pressures, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. His highlight of the season was his fourth-quarter, end zone interception off Baker Mayfield in the Eagles' Week 4 victory over the Buccaneers.
Campbell began the season as Philadelphia's starter next to Zack Baun with Nakobe Dean opening the year on the Physically Unable to Perform list. Dean eventually returned to the starting lineup, but the rookie continued to see playing time in AP Assistant Coach of the Year finalist Vic Fangio's defense.
"I think it's just all about controlling the things that you can control and only that, right?" he said at Eagles locker cleanout day last week. "I make sure that I come in this building every day with a smile on my face, with a getting to work mentality.
"Whatever it is, just having a neutral mindset of not getting too high or not getting too low, but just making sure that I'm coming in this building and I'm ready to work, each and every day. I appreciate all the guys that was among my rookie year journey and helped me and assisted me in the best way possible to be the best version of myself."
It was a successful rookie season for Campbell, who fought through the ebbs and flows that come in the NFL. Now, it's on to Year 2.
"Probably just managing everything," Campbell said when asked what he learned the most. "Everybody pretty much went through this process, but just going from college and to the league and having to understand what that task is, especially for a first-round rookie. It's not like, 'Oh yeah, I got time and just sit the bench and relax.' No, it's time to actually work. It's time to learn. It's time to grow, right now. [There's] no shortcuts to it. It's all about continuous improvement each and every day and just wanting to be better, the best version of yourself each and every day." — Written by Matt Ryan
