Eagles draft former Oredigger, Helena product James-Newby

The Philadelphia Eagles drafted outside linebacker Keyshawn James-Newby with the No. 252 overall pick in Saturday’s seventh and final round of the nFL draft.

James-Newby played college football for six years, starting at Montana Tech, then playing at Idaho (2023-24) and finishing his career at New Mexico.

He had nine sacks last year and 10.5 the season before. Including his time at Montana Tech, the Helena High product made 37.5 sacks 

“He can rush. I think that when you turn on the tape and you see him in must-pass situations, is he able to get off the ball,” Eagles general manager Howie Roseman told Philadelphiaeagles.com. “He can bend. He’s got production as a rusher. Obviously, you’re looking for traits late in the draft, and that was one of the reasons we wanted to get a bunch of picks there at the end.

“I mean, even at the end, we were sitting there going, can we try to get a couple more picks because there were some guys that we wanted. He’s going to have to show it here, but that’s why we liked him.”