Let’s see your lists.
Today’s Eagles Question of the Day is inspired by SportsRadio 94WIP’s ongoing theme week where they’re ranking the current top 11 Philly sports athletes.
Since we’re a Philadelphia Eagles blog, let’s narrow the focus to the Birds: how are you ranking this team’s top 11 players?
Here’s my list:
1) Saquon Barkley
2) A.J. Brown
3) Lane Johnson
4) Jalen Carter
5) Jordan Mailata
6) Jalen Hurts
7) Zack Baun
8) DeVonta Smith
9) Landon Dickerson
10) Cooper DeJean
11) Quinyon Mitchell
This list isn’t just about indispensability. If it was, Hurts would clearly be No. 1. It’s a subjective mix of positional importance, longevity, high-water mark performance, and other factors.
Some thoughts:
- With the Eagles having such a loaded roster, this isn’t an easy activity.
- Barkley was just so unstoppable for almost the entirety of last year. He turned in the best running back season in NFL history.
- Brown has a compelling case for the top stop since he’s also very unstoppable and has a stronger body of work than Barkley over the last five seasons. Tough call.
- Johnson is also deserving of the top spot. Again, not easy!
- I debated between flipping Carter and Mailata. Mailata was not just Pro Football Focus’s highest-graded offensive lineman last year; he was their highest-graded offensive player. Then again, the team was able to stay afloat when he missed some time and Fred Johnson filled in last season. Carter is just so dominant and can take over games. He could be the highest-paid defender in NFL history next year at this time.
- Hurts wasn’t sensational throughout the entirety of the 2024 season but he aided the Eagles’ winning formula by taking care of the football. The reigning Super Bowl MVP also really stepped up when it counted most.
- Baun was an All-Pro who received Defensive Player of the Year votes. That’s a really strong high-water mark … but the lack of track record is a knock against him.
- If it weren’t for playing in a run-heavy offense that already features an elite wide receiver in Brown, DeVonta would be posting even better numbers. He’s a top-notch 1B to Brown’s 1A.
- Dickerson, a three-time Pro Bowler in four seasons played, is arguably underrated here.
- DeJean over Q is like splitting hairs. The former allowed a lower passer rating in 2024 and it’s hard to ignore how the defense really took off once he took over at nickel corner.
Now it’s your turn.
How would you rank the Eagles’ top 11 players?
Scroll down to the comment section below and let us know!
