The Eagles have had plenty of success in the last 25 years. They’ve made three Super Bowls, winning one, as well as making eight conference championships through that time. Eagles fans have been lucky to see a plethora of awesome NFL players over the last quarter century, and this ranking should bring back fond memories. The current Eagles team has some players who can surely make a claim to be on this list in the future. Players like A.J. Brown and Devonta Smith haven’t played quite enough for the Eagles yet, and other players like Jordan Mailata, Landon Dickerson, and Jalen Hurts among others, can work their way onto this list in the future. However, here are the Eagles’ Best Players in the last 25 years, accounting for their peaks, consistency, and the moments they have created.
Philadephia Eagles Best Players Since 1999
Honorable Mentions
There are a few players it was hard to leave off this list. Brandon Graham is the one who just couldn’t quite make the cut. He’s been a really good player for the Eagles for a long time and will undoubtedly go into the Eagles Hall of Fame and be a legendary figure for Eagles fans. Malcolm Jenkins is another player who just missed the cut. Jenkins started his career with the New Orleans Saints, but once the Eagles signed him in 2016, he took a huge step. He made three Pro Bowls in five years with the Eagles and was a vital part of the Eagles’ defense that won the Super Bowl in 2017-2018.
Desean Jackson might go down as one of the most iconic Eagles for fans growing up in the 2000s and 2010s. He had many special moments including the punt return touchdown against the New York Giants, or the 88-yard passing touchdown on Monday night against the Washington Commanders. However, through no fault of his own, he did not quite have the consistency and longevity strictly with the Eagles throughout his career.
Eagles Best Players: 11-8
- Trent Cole, Edge, 2005-2014
Trent Cole’s nine-year stint with the Eagles saw him make two pro bowls but be a consistent force on the Eagles’ defense. With four double-digit sack seasons, he was a good pass rusher but also very stout against the run. Picking between him and Brandon Graham was a close call, but Cole’s higher sack and pressure output gave him a slight edge.
- Brian Westbrook, RB, 2002-2009
Brian Westbrook has been a little too undervalued as the years have passed. Westbrook was an electric playmaker with the ball in his hands and was one of the first runningbacks to show the NFL the impact that position can have as a receiver. In 2006 and 2007, he had over 2,000 yards from scrimmage in each season. He was a versatile threat who was a huge factor in the success of the early 2000s Eagles offense.
- Tra Thomas, OT, 1999-2008
Thomas was drafted in 1998, making his rookie year not in consideration. However, Thomas was an awesome steady player for the Eagles for ten seasons. He was one of the best pass blockers in the league at that time and was a huge reason for the Eagles’ success in the early 2000s protecting Donovan McNabb.
- Jeremiah Trotter, LB, 1999-2001, 2004-2006
Another 1998 draft pick, Jeremiah Trotter, found his potential in the 2000’s. He is a four-time Pro Bowler and one-time All-Pro in his two stints with the Eagles and was a difference-maker throughout his career. He was an ‘attitude player’ who let offenses know it was going to be a rough day with him on the field. It will be awesome to see how his son grows into the NFL after being drafted this past year by the Eagles.
Eagles Players 7-4
- Donovan McNabb, QB, 1999-2009
McNabb is widely considered the greatest Eagles quarterback of all time. Upon becoming the full-time starter in 2000, the Eagles started a very successful run by making three straight conference championships from 2001 to 2003. He was a Pro Bowler from 2000 to 2004 and was considered one of the better quarterbacks in the league. While he never got the championship, he was a really good player who put the Eagles back on the map.
- Lesean McCoy, RB, 2009-2014
This might be a surprise because McCoy has the least amount of time spent with the Eagles than anyone else on this list. However, McCoy’s tenure with the Eagles was extraordinary. He was one of the best runningbacks in the league from 2010-2014 and was selected to the All-Pro team in 2011 and 2013. Even though his time was short with the Eagles, he had the unique ability to make a highlight any time he touched the ball.
- Lane Johnson, OT, 2013-Current
Lane Johnson has been one of the best tackles in the league for the better part of the last seven seasons in the NFL. When Johnson is healthy, he’s a dominant force on the right side of the Eagles offensive line and possibly the best right tackle in the league. With already so much prestige, he can only go up as his career continues and he will be a hall of famer one day.
- Jason Peters, OT, 2009-2020
Peters is in the same regard as Johnson, as being one of the best tackles while he was in the league and a future hall of famer. Peters was dominant with the Eagles making seven Pro Bowls and two All-Pro teams. At this point, he stands at the pinnacle of Eagles offensive tackles.
The Top 3
- Jason Kelce, Center, 2011-2023
Any of these three players have an argument to be the Eagles best player of the last 25 years, and Kelce is one of them. When he retired in 2023, many experts and analysts believed he was the greatest center of all time. With a slighter stature than the prototypical center, Kelce’s athleticism paved the way for other smaller centers to get into the league. He also embodied the city of Philadelphia and made himself an Eagles icon.
- Fletcher Cox, DT, 2012-2023
Possibly another bit of a surprise, but Fletcher Cox may go down as one of the most underrated players in NFL history. The stats don’t tell the full picture with Cox, as he was one of the most disruptive players the NFL has seen in the last 25 years. Not everything resulted in a sack or tackle for Cox, but he would routinely destroy plays that would result in teammates getting the credited stats. There weren’t very many teams that would’ve ever let Cox be single-blocked, especially in his prime.
- Brain Dawkins, Safety, 1999-2008
With there being arguments now for other players as the top Eagles player, it’s hard to unseat Dawkins from the throne. Dawkins is an iconic player, who is also one of the best safeties to ever play the game. From 1999 to 2008 Dawkins made the All-Pro team four times and the Pro Bowl seven times with the Eagles. Describing him as a hard hitter is an understatement. Offenses were in constant panic when lining up against him. Outside of the big hits, he was an excellent tackler, blitzer and was good at coverage as well. He was all over the field and he was possibly the biggest difference-makers in Eagles history.
Main Photo: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
