Franchise Team

Since it’s still in the midst of the off-season, I thought I’d post something a little different. If you could assemble a team that would play a single season for the title of greatest franchise to date. Comprised of any player ever drafted by the Eagles (who would perform at their prime); what would that team look like? Below I’ve assembled my list. Now you’ll notice that there will be a few names missing. Players like Al Wistert (’43) or Jerry Sisemore (’73), who at 6’4" and 265 lbs wouldn’t be an effective OT in today’s NFL (no matter how hard he tried). But there are other names that still possessed the size and strength to still warrant consideration.

The challenge now is, would the team need to be altered, and with who (and more importantly why) My hope is that some younger fans will get a chance to see a few names that they might not have none. And give older fans a chance to reminisce. Also please realize how much better some players might have been if they were surrounded with supporting talent.

I have also added an "Honorable Mention" for each position that I believe identifies the best player ever brought in from another team to play that position for the Eagles.

So, ladies and gentlemen; I give you the Franchise Roster.

Offense

QB

1. Randell Cunningham (‘85) 6’4"/ 212

2. Donovan McNabb (‘99) 6’2"/ 240

3. Jalen Hurts (‘20) 6’1"/ 223

(Honorable Mention: Michael Vick (‘01) 6'/ 210 Falcons)

RB

4. Brain Westbrook (02) 5’10"/203

5. LeSean "Shady" McCoy (09) 5’11"/ 210

6. Steve Van Buren (44) 6’/ 200

7. Wilbert Montgomery (77) 5’10"/ 196

(Honorable Mention: LeGarrette Blount (‘10) 6'/ 247 Titans)

WR

8. Harold Carmichael (‘71) 6’8"/ 225

9. DeSean Jackson (‘08) 5’10"/ 175

10. Mike Quick (‘82) 6’2"/ 190

11. Chris Carter (‘87) 6’3"/ 202

12. Tommy McDonald (‘57) 5’9"/ 178

(Honorable Mention: A.J. Brown (‘19) 6'1"/ 226 Titans)

TE

13. Zach Ertz (‘13) 6’5"/ 250

14. Brent Celek (‘07) 6’4"/ 261

15. Chad Lewis (‘97) 6’6"/ 252

(Honorable Mention: Keith Jackson (‘88) 6' 2"/ 258 Eagles) - Sorry we never really needed another team for this position.

C

16. Jason Kelce (’11) 6’3"/ 300

(Honorable Mention: Hank Fraley (‘00) 6'3"/ 310 Steelers)

OG

17. Jermane Mayberry (‘96) 6’4"/325

18. Todd Herremans (’05) 6’6"/ 323

19. Landon Dickerson (‘21) 6’6"/ 333 (Backup Center)

20. John Welbourn (’99) 6’5"/ 310

(Honorable Mention: Brandon Brooks (‘12) 6’5"/ 335 Texans)

OT

21. Lane Johnson (‘13) 6’6"/325

22. Tra Thomas (‘98) 6’7"/349

23. Jordan Mailata (‘20) 6’8"/ 365

24. Halapoulivaati Vaitai (’16) 6’6"/ 325

(Honorable Mentions: LT: Jason Peters (04) Bills / RT: Jon Runyan (96) Oilers)

Defense (23)

DE

25. Reggie White (‘85) 6’5"/ 291

26. Clyde Simmons (‘86) 6’5"/ 292

27. Trent Cole (‘05) 6’3"/ 270

28. Brandon Graham (‘10) 6’2"/ 262

29. Derrick Burgess (‘01) 6’2"/ 260

(Honorable Mention: Hugh Douglas (‘95) 6’2"/ 281 Jets)

DT

30. Jerome Brown (‘87) 6’2"/ 292

31. Fletcher Cox (‘12) 6’4"/ 310

32. Corey Simon (‘00) 6’2"/ 300

33. Hollis Thomas (‘96) 6’/ 306

(Honorable Mention: Darwin Walker (‘00) 6’3"/ 294 Cardinals)

LB

34. Chuck Bednarik (’49) 6’3"/ 233

35. Seth Joyner (‘86) 6’2"/ 241

36. Jeremiah Trotter (‘98) 6’1"/ 262

37. William Thomas (‘91) 6’2"/ 223

38. Maxie Baughan (’60) 6’1"/ 227

39. Byron Evans (‘87) 6’2"/ 235

(Honorable Mention: Haason Reddick (‘17) 6’1"/ 235)

CB

41. Eric Allen (‘88) 5’10"/ 184

42. Bobby Taylor (‘95) 6’3"/ 216

43. Herman Edwards (’77) 6’/ 194

44. Sheldon Brown (‘02) 5’10"/200

45. Lito Sheppard (‘02) 5’10"/194

46. Mark McMillian (’92) 5’7"/ 154

(Honorable Mentions: Troy Vincent (‘92) 6’1"/ 200 Dolphins)

Saf

47. Brian Dawkins (‘96) 6’/210

48. Wes Hopkins (83) 6’1"/ 213

49. Bill Bradley (’69) 6’/ 190

50. Andre "Dirty" Waters (‘84) 5’11"/ 200

(Honorable Mention: Malcolm Jenkins (’09) 6’/ 204 Saints)

K

51. Jake Elliott (17) 5’9"/ 167

(Honorable Mention: David Akers (‘98) Redskins)

P

52. Sav Rocca (’07) 6’5"/ 263

(Honorable Mention: Dirk Johnson (‘02) Saints)

(Back-up Punter would be Norm Van Brocklin. The man could kick!)

LS

53. Jamaal Jackson (’03) 6’4" / 325

(Honorable Mention: John Dorenbos (’03) 6’/ 250 Bills)

*Note: We’ve never really drafted anyone for LS, so John Dorenbos, Rick Lovato, and Mike Bartrum, have all come from other teams. So, I simply utilized another center option.

So now the question remains. Would this team be complete?