Contrary to some beliefs, I did not cover the Philadelphia Eagles’ first draft.
That was in 1936, when the Birds selected University of Chicago halfback Jay Berwanger – the 1935 Heisman Trophy winner – with first overall pick.
My first draft as the Eagles’ beat writer for a local newspaper came in 1993, when Eagles coach Rich Kotite and general manager Harry Gamble used their two first-round picks to take Jackson State guard Lester Holmes and Colorado defensive tackle Leonard Renfro.
Holmes and Renfro were among eight players in that draft class. The group also included Missouri wide receiver Victor Bailey (second round) and Texas A&M defensive back Derrick Frazier (third).
None of them panned out. Holmes played eight seasons in the NFL, but only lasted four years with the Birds before moving on to the Oakland Raiders and Arizona Cardinals.
The most successful draft class during my 27-year tenure covering the Birds was 2002. They used their first-round pick on Florida cornerback Lito Sheppard, then took Colorado safety Michael Lewis and South Carolina cornerback Sheldon Brown in the second, followed by Villanova running back Brian Westbrook in the third.
All four players became Pro Bowlers while helping the Eagles reach the Super Bowl in 2004.
Time will tell how this year’s class will rank in Eagles’ lore. Most draft experts felt general manager Howie Roseman and coach Nick Sirianni fared well. Their first three selections – USC wide receiver Makai Lemon, Vanderbilt tight end Eli Stowers, Miami tackle Markel Bell – are predicted to become impact players, though it may take a while. Lemon may get playing time as a slot receiver as a rookie, but Stowers will get limited reps behind tight end Dallas Goedert and Bell will be the heir apparent to right tackle Lane Johnson.
Their most intriguing pick came in the seventh round. Roseman took a (not Harry) gamble by taking Uar Bernard of Nigeria with the 251st overall pick.
Bernard, 6-foot-4 and 306 pounds, wowed scouts at an HBCU Showcase with a 39-inch vertical jump, a 10-feet, 10-inches long jump that was over a foot farther than any other defensive tackle, and a 4.63-second 40-yard dash.
The 21-year-old has never played football before, but has the raw strength and athleticism that prompted the Eagles to take a chance similar to when they drafted Australian rugby player Jordan Mailata in 2018.
But it’s going to take a while for him to develop. The same thing could also be said for the other picks, though their timeline is shorter.
That’s why it’s virtually impossible to rank a draft class before they ever step on the field. Who knows if Bell will be able to take over for Johnson? It’s ridiculous to speculate whether North Dakota State quarterback Cole Payton will pan out before he throws his first pass.
Better to wait two or three years to find out if Lemon will be the next Devonta Smith or the next Jalen Reagor.
Now let’s take a look back at some other drafts in previous years. Here’s one opinion of the best and worst Eagles picks in each round, along with some long shots that panned out and others that didn’t.
First round
Best: QB Donovan McNabb (1999). Honorable mention: T Tra Thomas (1998), CB Lito Sheppard (2002), WR Jeremy Maclin (2009), DE Brandon Graham (2010), DT Fletcher Cox (2012), T Lane Johnson (2013), WR DeVonta Smith (2021), DT Jalen Carter (2023) CB Quinyon Mitchell (2024).
Worst: DE Jon Harris (1997), OL Danny Watkins (2011). HM: WR Freddie Mitchell (2001), DT Brodrick Bunkley (2006), LB Marcus Smith (2014), Carson Wentz (2016), WR Jalen Reagor (2020).
Second round
Best: S Brian Dawkins (1996). HM: CB Sheldon Brown (2002), WR DeSean Jackson (2008), RB LeSean McCoy (2009), TE Zach Ertz (2013), QB Jalen Hurts (2020), G Landon Dickerson (2021), CB Cooper DeJean (2024).
Worst: S Jaiquawn Jarrett (2011): HM: G Bobbie Williams (2000), LB Quinton Caver (2001), T Winston Justice (2006), CB Sidney Jones (2017).
Third round
Best: RB Brian Westbrook (2002): HM: RB Duce Staley (1997), LB Jeremiah Trotter (1998), QB Nick Foles (2012), LB Jordan Hicks (2015), G Isaac Seumalo (2016).
Worst: WR Billy McMullen (2003), LB Bryan Smith (2008); HM: RB Ryan Moats (2005), RB Tony Hunt (2007), WR Josh Huff (2014), WR J.J. Arcega-Whiteside (2019).
Long Shots
Best: C Jason Kelce (6th round 2011). HM: LB Ike Reese (5th 1998), C Jamaal Jackson (FA 2003), S Quintin Mikell (FA 2003), DE Trent Cole (5th 2005), TE Brent Celek (5th 2007), T Jordan Mailata (7th 2018).
Worst: DE John Frank (6th round 2000). HM: P Mitch Berger (6th 1994), TE Tony Stewart (5th 2001), KR Jeremy Bloom (5th 2006), WR Shelton Gibson (5th 2017), QB Clayton Thorson (5th 2019).
David is a nationally recognized sports columnist who has covered Philadelphia and local sports for over 40 years. After 35 years with The Press, he has served as a columnist for 973ESPN.com and created his own Facebook page, Dave Weinberg Extra Points.
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