Greatest Eagles Draft Picks of All-Time
The Philadelphia Eagles have had a ton of success during the NFL Draft in recent years. Yet Philadelphia’s greatest draft picks in franchise history have stretched far beyond the last few years in the City of Brotherly Love.
In the first installment of my G.O.A.T series for The Philly Special Show, I’m going to rank the top five greatest draft picks in franchise history. While it’s easy to confuse this category with the greatest players in franchise history, there’s much more that goes into this exercise than just simply listing the best players of all-time.
It’s significantly easier to “hit” on a draft pick in the first round of the NFL Draft, especially if a team is selecting in the top five picks or so. As the event progresses into the later rounds, the talent pool dries up and it becomes increasingly harder to land an impact player.
Therefore, I’ll be taking that into account for my rankings. Pick value, accolades and a player’s impact both on and off the field in Philadelphia were all major factors when finalizing my list. Here are my top five greatest Eagles draft picks of all-time:
5) Harold Carmichael
After walking on and playing three sports at Southern University, Carmichael was selected by the Eagles with the 161st overall pick in the seventh round of the 1971 NFL Draft. At 6’8”, 225 lbs., Carmichael played tight end during his rookie season in Philadelphia. He started six games and led the team’s tight end group with 20 receptions.
Carmichael moved back to his natural position at wide receiver the following season and the rest is history, literally. He currently holds several all-time franchise receiving records including receptions (589), receiving yards (8,978) and receiving touchdowns (79).
In 1987, Carmichael was inducted into the Eagles Hall of Fame, although his jersey number has yet to be retired. In 2020, the legendary former Eagles wide receiver was finally elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. It’s safe to say that Carmichael did pretty well for himself, despite being a seventh-round pick.
4) Brian Dawkins
The Eagles somehow made two picks in the 1996 NFL Draft before selecting Dawkins with the 61st overall pick in the second round. Yet he made an immediate impact in Philadelphia, starting 13 games during his rookie season and recording three interceptions.
Dawkins would eventually earn the nickname “Weapon X,” due to resembling Wolverine with the way that he ferociously maneuvered all over the football field. He truly embodied what the City of Brotherly Love is all about with his aggressive nature on the field and caring spirit off the field.
While he ended his career by playing three seasons with the Denver Broncos, Dawkins will always be remembered as a member of the Eagles. In 2012, Dawkins was inducted into the Eagles Hall of Fame and had his jersey number (#20) retired. In 2018, Dawkins was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame and is regarded as one of the best safeties in NFL history.
3) Jalen Hurts
On June 6th, 2019, the Eagles signed franchise quarterback Carson Wentz to a $128 million extension. Yet less than one year later, Philadelphia selected Jalen Hurts with the 53rd overall pick in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft. While many rightfully questioned the decision at the time, it has since proven to be one of the greatest draft picks in franchise history.
After showing flashes during his rookie season, Hurts eventually took the reins as Philadelphia’s starting quarterback in 2021. In four seasons as QB1 in the City of Brotherly Love, Hurts has led the Eagles to the postseason every year, including two trips to the Super Bowl and one victory in the big game.
Hurts likely cemented himself as the best quarterback in franchise history after earning Super Bowl MVP in Super Bowl LIX. At just 26-years old, Hurts has already racked up six playoff wins and a championship ring. While the pick didn’t make much sense back in 2020, it’s now clear that Hurts was the right choice all along.
2) Reggie White
Following a dominant career at the University of Tennessee, White elected to stay close to home and play for the Memphis Showboats in the USFL. Yet the Eagles selected White with the fourth overall pick in the 1984 NFL Supplemental Draft, which included players signed to the USFL and CFL.
Once the USFL folded, it was time for White to head to the City of Brotherly Love in 1985. “The Minister of Defense” had an immediate impact, as he recorded 13 sacks in 13 games during his rookie season. He was named to the Pro Bowl and an All-Pro in seven of his eight seasons with the Eagles. White recorded 125 sacks in 121 career games with the Eagles, which remains the all-time franchise sack record.
White tragically passed away at just 43-years old in 2004, yet his legacy will always live on as one of the greatest defensive players in NFL history. In 2005, White was inducted into the Eagles Hall of Fame and had his jersey number (#92) retired. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2006.
1) Jason Kelce
No player on this list was picked later in the NFL Draft than Kelce was. The Eagles selected Kelce with the 191st overall pick in the sixth round of the 2011 NFL Draft. As an undersized yet athletic center, expectations weren’t high for the Ohio native making the move to Pennsylvania.
Yet regardless of the seemingly low expectations, it’s safe to say that Kelce had an unforgettable career with the Eagles. He started 193 games in Philadelphia, most all-time in franchise history. Kelce was named a First-Team All-Pro in six seasons, while also being named to the Pro Bowl seven times.
Kelce helped lead the Eagles to the first Super Bowl victory in franchise history and is regarded as one of the best centers in NFL history. He’ll eventually be inducted into the Eagles Hall of Fame and the Pro Football Hall of Fame, while also having his jersey number (#62) retired.
While Kelce was an elite player on the field, his impact off the field was just as important. He was the definition of a leader that wore his heart on his sleeve. Despite retiring, the Kelce family is still connected to Philadelphia and continues to contribute to the franchise through the Eagles Autism Foundation.