One of the more unique lists of all-time draft greats is a celebration of Eagles excellence.
Looking at the NFL Draft now makes it hard to believe it was once a quiet selection meeting hosted in the City of Brotherly Love. The Ritz-Carlton Hotel was the backdrop for an idea concocted by Philadelphia Eagles owner and head coach Bert Bell on February 8, 1936.
Bell was upset that his team wasn’t able to compete, so he organized an event that is now known as pro football’s annual selection meeting. Through the years, Philadelphia has added some icons. Many of which were recently named on one of the more unique draft lists ever created.
Eagles, both old and new, find their way onto ESPN’s unique list of NFL Draft greats.
Perhaps this has been done before, but if so, it’s difficult to recall when it occurred. If it isn’t an original idea, pardon our error. In the meantime, we’d like to credit Ben Solak for his recent draft take.
The best NFL Draft pick ever at every slot from No. 1 to 262 is the name of this one. Naturally, once discovering this one, step number two was identifying all the Eagles that were on the list.
Eric Allen (30), Brian Dawkins (61), Jeremiah Trotter (72), Nick Foles (88), and Harold Carmichael (161) were all named as the representatives for their respective draft positions. So were Charlie Johnson (175), Jason Kelce (191), Seth Joyner (208), and Clyde Simmons. All are deserving of their nods.
A.J. Brown receives an honorable mention but doesn’t crack the list. Rickey Jackson instead owns the 51st slot. Most can probably live with that. Jackson was a baller. One of Philadelphia’s favorite players, DeSean Jackson, with the same last name, sees the 49th spot handed, deservingly, to Roger Craig.
The list also mentions former Eagles that the organization didn’t draft. Art Monk (18), DeMarco Murray (71), Terrell Owens (89), Herschel Walker (114), and Darren Sproles (130) are all a part of that number.
Yes, kids, many of these guys won’t be remembered as Eagles. Monk, for instance, is forever immortalized for what he did in Washington, but he also spent the 1995 NFL season in Philadelphia. So, he’s among the honorable mentions here.
Dorsey Levens (149), Al Harris (169), Gardner Minshew (178), and Richard Dent (203) are other former Eagles who round out the list of former Birds drafted by other franchises. Jalen Hurts is another absence that is hard to ignore. Maybe he will end up on the list one day.
For now, his slot, the 53rd overall selection, is currently occupied by Mel Blount. It’s hard to argue with that theory. All in all, even with that said, this is a nice list and a nice idea. Here’s a tip of the cap to all of the Birds that were mentioned.