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The Philadelphia Eagles have built and constructed several of their greatest eras through first-round draft picks, from Hall of Fame players in the franchise's earliest decades to modern cornerstones who helped deliver Super Bowl championships. The Eagles have also had their share of first-round misses, but the top of their all-time draft history includes some of the most important players ever to wear the uniform.
With training camp set to begin, we're looking at the best first-round pick at every position in the Eagles' franchise history. This list focuses only on players drafted by the Eagles in the first round. That means several franchise legends do not qualify, including Brian Dawkins, Jason Kelce, LeSean McCoy, Harold Carmichael, Brian Westbrook, Trent Cole, DeSean Jackson, and Eric Allen. It also means the list is based on the player's value to Philadelphia, not his entire NFL career if he produced elsewhere.
Here is a position-by-position look at the best first-round picks in Eagles history.
McNabb remains the clear choice at quarterback. The Eagles selected him with the No. 2 overall pick in the 1999 NFL Draft, and he became the face of the Andy Reid era, leading Philadelphia to five NFC Championship Games, one Super Bowl appearance, and the most sustained run of winning in modern franchise history before the team's later championship breakthroughs.
McNabb left Philadelphia as the franchise's all-time leader in passing yards, touchdown passes, and quarterback wins. His career will always be defined by debate over what the Eagles did not finish during that era, but the draft pick itself was a franchise-changing success. Philadelphia used a top-two selection on a quarterback and got a long-term starter, perennial Pro Bowl player, and one of the most important players in team history.
Van Buren was selected in the first round in 1944 and became one of the greatest players in Eagles history. He was the offensive engine for the franchise's first championship era, helping Philadelphia win NFL titles in 1948 and 1949 while establishing himself as one of the premier backs of his generation.
Van Buren led the NFL in rushing four times, was a multiple-time first-team All-Pro, and was later inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. His production came in an entirely different era, but his place in Eagles history remains secure. For this exercise, he is not only the best first-round running back the Eagles have drafted; he is one of the best first-round picks the franchise has ever made.
Quick was selected with the 20th overall pick in the 1982 NFL draft and became one of the most explosive wide receivers in Eagles history. He made five Pro Bowls, earned first-team All-Pro honors, and gave Philadelphia a true No. 1 receiver during the 1980s.
His best season came in 1983, when he led the NFL with 1,409 receiving yards. Quick had the size, speed, and downfield ability to tilt coverage, and his career remains one of the strongest receiving résumés among players drafted by the Eagles. DeVonta Smith has already made a strong case as one of the franchise's best first-round receivers, but Quick's peak and league-wide recognition keep him at the top of this position for now.
Young was selected sixth overall in the 1973 NFL draft and gave the Eagles immediate high-level production at tight end. He earned Pro Bowl honors early in his career and was one of the more gifted receiving tight ends of his era, even though the position was not featured in passing games the way it is today.
The Eagles have had more familiar tight ends across franchise history, including Pete Retzlaff, Keith Jackson, Zach Ertz, and Dallas Goedert, but this list is limited to first-round selections. Young's draft status, production, and impact make him the top choice among Eagles first-round tight ends.
Johnson was selected with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2013 NFL draft and developed into one of the best right tackles of his generation. He became a multiple-time Pro Bowl and All-Pro selection, helped anchor the offensive line for two Super Bowl-winning teams, and gave Philadelphia elite play at one of football's most valuable positions.
Bob Brown, a Hall of Fame tackle selected by the Eagles in the first round in 1964, deserves a major mention here. Tra Thomas also had an excellent career after being selected in the first round in 1998. Johnson gets the edge because of his longevity in Philadelphia, his role in the franchise's championship era, and his sustained performance as one of the NFL’s most dominant offensive linemen.
Andrews was selected with the 16th overall pick in the 2004 NFL draft and became one of the most physically dominant guards in football when healthy. His Eagles career was shorter than it could have been because of injuries and other challenges, but his peak was outstanding.
Andrews earned three Pro Bowl selections and two first-team All-Pro honors, giving Philadelphia elite interior offensive line play during the mid-2000s. He was powerful in the run game, athletic enough to thrive in the Eagles' offense, and capable of overwhelming defensive linemen. Longevity keeps him from ranking higher among all-time Eagles offensive linemen, but at guard, among first-round picks only, his peak makes him the choice.
Bednarik was selected with the No. 1 overall pick in the 1949 NFL draft and remains one of the defining players in Eagles history. He was a two-way force at center and linebacker, helped lead Philadelphia to championships, and became one of the last great full-time two-way players in NFL history.
Modern positional labels make Bednarik difficult to place, but his greatness is not in question. He was an eight-time Pro Bowl selection, a multiple-time first-team All-Pro, and a Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee. Whether viewed as a center, linebacker, or two-way football icon, he is one of the best first-round picks the Eagles have ever made.
Graham was selected with the 13th overall pick in the 2010 NFL draft and authored one of the best career arcs in franchise history. Early in his career, he was often judged against players selected after him, but he developed into a consistent, disruptive edge defender, respected leader, and one of the most beloved players in Eagles history.
His signature moment came in Super Bowl LII, when his strip-sack of Tom Brady helped seal Philadelphia’s first Super Bowl championship. Graham’s sack totals do not fully capture his value because his game was built on pressure, run defense, energy, and reliability. Jerome Brown and Fletcher Cox own the interior defensive line conversation, but among first-round edge players, Graham’s longevity, leadership, and championship impact make him the pick.
Cox was selected with the 12th overall pick in the 2012 NFL draft and became one of the greatest defensive players in Eagles history. He made six Pro Bowls, earned first-team All-Pro honors, and was a centerpiece of the defensive front that helped Philadelphia win Super Bowl LII.
Cox combined power, quickness, and durability, giving the Eagles a game-wrecking interior presence for more than a decade. Jerome Brown’s peak was extraordinary and deserves the strongest possible mention, but Cox’s longevity, production, and championship role give him the edge for this spot. Jalen Carter could eventually enter this conversation, but Cox remains the standard among Eagles first-round defensive tackles.
If Bednarik is listed strictly as a linebacker, this is not a close race. He was one of the most important defensive players in franchise history, a Hall of Famer and a symbol of the Eagles’ championship foundation. His physical style and two-way workload made him one of the most iconic players the sport has produced.
Jerry Robinson, a first-round pick in 1979, deserves mention after becoming a productive linebacker and Pro Bowl player for the Eagles. Jihaad Campbell could become part of the future conversation if he develops into the player Philadelphia envisioned when it selected him in the first round. For now, Bednarik remains the easy answer.
Sheppard was selected with the 26th overall pick in the 2002 NFL draft and developed into one of the Eagles’ top defensive playmakers of the 2000s. He earned two Pro Bowl selections, was named first-team All-Pro in 2004, and became a key part of a secondary that helped Philadelphia remain among the NFC’s top teams.
Sheppard played behind established veterans early in his career before emerging as a ball-hawking cornerback with the confidence and instincts to thrive in Jim Johnson’s aggressive defense. Roynell Young, a first-round pick in 1980, also deserves consideration after becoming a Pro Bowl defensive back and long-term starter. Quinyon Mitchell could eventually challenge for this spot, but Sheppard’s peak gives him the current edge among first-round defensive backs.
This is the position where the first-round-only rule matters most. Dawkins is the greatest defensive back in Eagles history, but he was selected in the second round of the 1996 draft. Wes Hopkins, Malcolm Jenkins, and other important Eagles safeties also do not fit the criteria for this list because they were not drafted by Philadelphia in the first round.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Ranking Eagles’ top first-round picks at each position
Continue reading...
With training camp set to begin, we're looking at the best first-round pick at every position in the Eagles' franchise history. This list focuses only on players drafted by the Eagles in the first round. That means several franchise legends do not qualify, including Brian Dawkins, Jason Kelce, LeSean McCoy, Harold Carmichael, Brian Westbrook, Trent Cole, DeSean Jackson, and Eric Allen. It also means the list is based on the player's value to Philadelphia, not his entire NFL career if he produced elsewhere.
Here is a position-by-position look at the best first-round picks in Eagles history.
Quarterback: Donovan McNabb, 1999
McNabb remains the clear choice at quarterback. The Eagles selected him with the No. 2 overall pick in the 1999 NFL Draft, and he became the face of the Andy Reid era, leading Philadelphia to five NFC Championship Games, one Super Bowl appearance, and the most sustained run of winning in modern franchise history before the team's later championship breakthroughs.
McNabb left Philadelphia as the franchise's all-time leader in passing yards, touchdown passes, and quarterback wins. His career will always be defined by debate over what the Eagles did not finish during that era, but the draft pick itself was a franchise-changing success. Philadelphia used a top-two selection on a quarterback and got a long-term starter, perennial Pro Bowl player, and one of the most important players in team history.
Running back: Steve Van Buren, 1944
Van Buren was selected in the first round in 1944 and became one of the greatest players in Eagles history. He was the offensive engine for the franchise's first championship era, helping Philadelphia win NFL titles in 1948 and 1949 while establishing himself as one of the premier backs of his generation.
Van Buren led the NFL in rushing four times, was a multiple-time first-team All-Pro, and was later inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. His production came in an entirely different era, but his place in Eagles history remains secure. For this exercise, he is not only the best first-round running back the Eagles have drafted; he is one of the best first-round picks the franchise has ever made.
Wide receiver: Mike Quick, 1982
Quick was selected with the 20th overall pick in the 1982 NFL draft and became one of the most explosive wide receivers in Eagles history. He made five Pro Bowls, earned first-team All-Pro honors, and gave Philadelphia a true No. 1 receiver during the 1980s.
His best season came in 1983, when he led the NFL with 1,409 receiving yards. Quick had the size, speed, and downfield ability to tilt coverage, and his career remains one of the strongest receiving résumés among players drafted by the Eagles. DeVonta Smith has already made a strong case as one of the franchise's best first-round receivers, but Quick's peak and league-wide recognition keep him at the top of this position for now.
Tight end: Charle Young, 1973
Young was selected sixth overall in the 1973 NFL draft and gave the Eagles immediate high-level production at tight end. He earned Pro Bowl honors early in his career and was one of the more gifted receiving tight ends of his era, even though the position was not featured in passing games the way it is today.
The Eagles have had more familiar tight ends across franchise history, including Pete Retzlaff, Keith Jackson, Zach Ertz, and Dallas Goedert, but this list is limited to first-round selections. Young's draft status, production, and impact make him the top choice among Eagles first-round tight ends.
Offensive tackle: Lane Johnson, 2013
Johnson was selected with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2013 NFL draft and developed into one of the best right tackles of his generation. He became a multiple-time Pro Bowl and All-Pro selection, helped anchor the offensive line for two Super Bowl-winning teams, and gave Philadelphia elite play at one of football's most valuable positions.
Bob Brown, a Hall of Fame tackle selected by the Eagles in the first round in 1964, deserves a major mention here. Tra Thomas also had an excellent career after being selected in the first round in 1998. Johnson gets the edge because of his longevity in Philadelphia, his role in the franchise's championship era, and his sustained performance as one of the NFL’s most dominant offensive linemen.
Guard: Shawn Andrews, 2004
Andrews was selected with the 16th overall pick in the 2004 NFL draft and became one of the most physically dominant guards in football when healthy. His Eagles career was shorter than it could have been because of injuries and other challenges, but his peak was outstanding.
Andrews earned three Pro Bowl selections and two first-team All-Pro honors, giving Philadelphia elite interior offensive line play during the mid-2000s. He was powerful in the run game, athletic enough to thrive in the Eagles' offense, and capable of overwhelming defensive linemen. Longevity keeps him from ranking higher among all-time Eagles offensive linemen, but at guard, among first-round picks only, his peak makes him the choice.
Center/linebacker: Chuck Bednarik, 1949
Bednarik was selected with the No. 1 overall pick in the 1949 NFL draft and remains one of the defining players in Eagles history. He was a two-way force at center and linebacker, helped lead Philadelphia to championships, and became one of the last great full-time two-way players in NFL history.
Modern positional labels make Bednarik difficult to place, but his greatness is not in question. He was an eight-time Pro Bowl selection, a multiple-time first-team All-Pro, and a Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee. Whether viewed as a center, linebacker, or two-way football icon, he is one of the best first-round picks the Eagles have ever made.
Defensive end/edge rusher: Brandon Graham, 2010
Graham was selected with the 13th overall pick in the 2010 NFL draft and authored one of the best career arcs in franchise history. Early in his career, he was often judged against players selected after him, but he developed into a consistent, disruptive edge defender, respected leader, and one of the most beloved players in Eagles history.
His signature moment came in Super Bowl LII, when his strip-sack of Tom Brady helped seal Philadelphia’s first Super Bowl championship. Graham’s sack totals do not fully capture his value because his game was built on pressure, run defense, energy, and reliability. Jerome Brown and Fletcher Cox own the interior defensive line conversation, but among first-round edge players, Graham’s longevity, leadership, and championship impact make him the pick.
Defensive tackle: Fletcher Cox, 2012
Cox was selected with the 12th overall pick in the 2012 NFL draft and became one of the greatest defensive players in Eagles history. He made six Pro Bowls, earned first-team All-Pro honors, and was a centerpiece of the defensive front that helped Philadelphia win Super Bowl LII.
Cox combined power, quickness, and durability, giving the Eagles a game-wrecking interior presence for more than a decade. Jerome Brown’s peak was extraordinary and deserves the strongest possible mention, but Cox’s longevity, production, and championship role give him the edge for this spot. Jalen Carter could eventually enter this conversation, but Cox remains the standard among Eagles first-round defensive tackles.
Linebacker: Chuck Bednarik, 1949
If Bednarik is listed strictly as a linebacker, this is not a close race. He was one of the most important defensive players in franchise history, a Hall of Famer and a symbol of the Eagles’ championship foundation. His physical style and two-way workload made him one of the most iconic players the sport has produced.
Jerry Robinson, a first-round pick in 1979, deserves mention after becoming a productive linebacker and Pro Bowl player for the Eagles. Jihaad Campbell could become part of the future conversation if he develops into the player Philadelphia envisioned when it selected him in the first round. For now, Bednarik remains the easy answer.
Cornerback/defensive back: Lito Sheppard, 2002
Sheppard was selected with the 26th overall pick in the 2002 NFL draft and developed into one of the Eagles’ top defensive playmakers of the 2000s. He earned two Pro Bowl selections, was named first-team All-Pro in 2004, and became a key part of a secondary that helped Philadelphia remain among the NFC’s top teams.
Sheppard played behind established veterans early in his career before emerging as a ball-hawking cornerback with the confidence and instincts to thrive in Jim Johnson’s aggressive defense. Roynell Young, a first-round pick in 1980, also deserves consideration after becoming a Pro Bowl defensive back and long-term starter. Quinyon Mitchell could eventually challenge for this spot, but Sheppard’s peak gives him the current edge among first-round defensive backs.
Safety: None selected high enough to qualify cleanly
This is the position where the first-round-only rule matters most. Dawkins is the greatest defensive back in Eagles history, but he was selected in the second round of the 1996 draft. Wes Hopkins, Malcolm Jenkins, and other important Eagles safeties also do not fit the criteria for this list because they were not drafted by Philadelphia in the first round.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Ranking Eagles’ top first-round picks at each position
Continue reading...
