The best picks the Eagles have ever made in each round of the draft.
The aim is not to draft as if I'm adding to a roster, but merely selecting the best player the Eagles have acquired in each round.
1st Round: Chuck Bednarik LB
Picked first in the 1949 draft, Bednarik is the most fearsome tackler to ever wear an Eagles jersey. Chuck met and surpassed all expectations for a number one draft pick, and is comfortably the best eagles player to ever be drafted by the organisation.
Honorable mentions: Steve van Buren RB, Donovan McNabb QB, Bob Brown OT
2nd Round: Brian Dawkins S
Entering the league in 1996 Dawkins had a prolific career as the QB of the Eagles defence for more than a decade. Quite possibly one of the most loved players in eagles history, no. 20 played his heart out week in week out for the franchise. One of only a handful of players in the NFL 20/20 club for sacks and interceptions, Dawkins represents the ultimate versatility for the safety position.
Honorable mentions: LeSean McCoy RB, Randall Cunningham QB, Eric Allen CB
3rd Round: Brian Westbrook RB
The second Brian to feature on this list was the 91st pick of the 2002 draft from Villanova. Whilst injuries blighted the tail end of his Eagles career, the early years more than made up for it. A two-time all-pro in Eagles green Westbrook never averaged less than 4 yards per carry in a season for the Eagles. Like current Eagles, McCoy and Sproles, Westbrook was also a threat in the passing game, totalling 30 receiving touchdowns to add to his 40 on the ground.
Honorable mention: Tommy McDonald WR
4th Round: William Thomas LB
With the 4th round being a weaker area of draft history for the Eagles, linebacker William Thomas makes the list. Another member of the 10-strong 20/20 club, Thomas was an outstanding LB in coverage racking up 27 interceptions over his career to go with two Pro-bowls.
Honorable mention: Todd Herremanns OG
5th Round: Pete Pihos DE/TE
WWII veteran Pihos was a two-way player in the 1948 and 1949 championship winning Eagles. Playing DE in college, Pihos also played at TE for the Eagles. Pihos only joined the Eagles 2 years after he was drafted due to military service, but he more than made up for the lost time, becoming a 6 time All-Pro and entering the Pro Football Hall of Fame, to go along with his two championships.
Honorable mention: Trent Cole DE/OLB
6th Round: Wilbert Montgomery RB
Drafted in 1977, running back Montgomery was an instant impact offensive player for the Eagles. The two time All-Pro selection held/holds 7 rushing records for the Eagles including career attempts and yards.
7th Round: Harold Carmichael WR
A steal with the 161st pick in 1971, 6 ft 8 in receiver Carmichael struggled at the beginning of his career but went on to make four Pro Bowls and the 1970s NFL All-Decade team. His size was clearly his biggest threat on his way to 8985 receiving yards and 79 touchdowns over a career spanning 12 years with the Eagles and one with the Cowboys (boo).
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