This is all about immediate impact, and the Eagles' 2025 Rookie Class is bringing it. At the top of the Draft Class, No. 1 pick linebacker Jihaad Campbell and No. 2 pick safety Andrew Mukuba have seen a lot of action, while fifth-round draft pick linebacker Smael Mondon and undrafted wide receiver Darius Cooper have contributed on special teams and, in Cooper's case, in specialty situations on offense.
"You do what you can to help, whatever your role is," said Mukuba, who had a game-changing interception in the win over Kansas City on Sunday after recovering a momentum-changing fumble in the win over Dallas the week prior. "We're a team here. That's what you do."
Instant impact from the rookie class is again a positive for the Eagles, who enjoyed the fruits of the 2024 Rookie Class that had such success from the jump. Last year's class featured cornerback Quinyon Mitchell, a starter from the first day; cornerback Cooper DeJean, who earned the starting nickel cornerback job and punt return position and played so well in both roles; edge player Jalyx Hunt, who was part of the rotation at that position; Will Shipley, who became a key player on special teams and had a role in the offense; and linebacker Jeremiah Trotter, Jr, who contributed on defense and on special teams.
As rosters churn from one season to the next, it's important to have the rookies step up. The Eagles are reaping the rewards of moving up one spot in Round 1 to nab Campbell, who in Week 2 was graded by Pro Football Focus as the league's top-performing rookie, and they've coached up Mukuba well enough to have him play such an integral role in the back end of the defense.
The rookies, in short, are off to a flying start.
"Every day you know you're going to be challenged, tested, and the expectation is that you are going to keep getting better and better," Campbell said. "I don't feel like a rookie. I'm just one of the guys here. I'm here to work, to help the team win. So, we aren't treated any different than anybody else. This is my job. I'm here to ball." .
Cooper's rise was a big story in Training Camp as he earned a spot on the 53-man roster by making play after play every day. That's how he rose from the post-draft period to a serious consideration for the roster, and now he has been active each week and has gotten reps – his reps on offense jumped from 2 to 12 in the Week 1 to Week 2 period, and Cooper has played a handful of snaps – 5 and 6, respectively – on special teams in the opening two weeks.
"The guys here have been helpful just telling me to focus on what I can control. You take it day by day. Not getting ahead of myself at all, just working hard and learning and absorbing as much as I can," said Cooper, an All-American at Tarleton State a year ago. "You just go out and play as hard as you can. Every rep means everything. I know how games can change in a hurry."
Age doesn't matter for the Eagles – it's all about what a player can do to win football games. And in the case of the rookies, once again, the kids are alright. They are making plays. They are growing every day and stepping up and contributing to a 2-0 football team that is coming off a World Championship season.
"I'm doing something I love, and that's playing football," Campbell said. "Age and experience have never been a thing with me. I think if you can play, you play. If you can help the team, a coach is going to get you on the field and then it's up to you to play good football."
They're doing just that. The 2025 Rookie Class is up to speed and then some early in this regular season.
