Best Eagles Draft Picks Over The Last Decade
Updated: Jul 12, 2023
The NFL Draft is fast approaching. Eagles fans have high expectations that the team should make good picks this year. The Eagles will have three top-20 picks and 10 total selections. This is a pivotal moment that will define the team’s future.
Over the past 10 years, the Eagles have made some great picks, but several have been really disappointing. Here is a list of the best Eagles draft picks over the last decade. The list will look at the five best selections from 2012-2021.
5. Dallas Goedert
Philadelphia selected Dallas Goedert in the second round of the 2018 draft. He was a former walk-on tight end for South Dakota State. Goedert did not get much playing time his first three seasons due to sitting behind Zach Ertz on the depth chart. He played well in his limited opportunities.
In 2021, the Eagles traded Zach Ertz to the Cardinals. This gave Dallas Goedert a chance to be the primary tight end. This past season, he was second on the Eagles for receiving yards and touchdowns behind DeVonta Smith. Goedert gives quarterback Jalen Hurts a reliable option as a pass catcher. Goedert is fresh off signing a four-year contract, so he should be one of the Eagles best offensive players for the next few years.
4. Nick Foles
The Eagles selected Nick Foles in the third round of the 2012 draft. He had one of the most interesting careers in Eagles history. Foles played under coach Andy Reid, Chip Kelly, and Doug Pederson. He was drafted to be the backup quarterback to Michael Vick but was named a starter midway through the 2013 season.
In 2013, Foles had a record-tying seven touchdowns against the Raiders. He went 8-2 as a starter in 2013 including a 27-2 TD to INT ratio. Foles lost his first playoff game but came back as a starter in 2014. He was traded away in March 2015 but came back to the Eagles in 2017.
The Eagles brought Nick Foles back to Philly to be the backup to Carson Wentz. Foles got to finish the season after Wentz tore his ACL. He had a magical playoff run that ended with a dramatic Super Bowl win over Tom Brady and the New England Patriots. The following season, Foles filled in for Wentz again and even got the Eagles another playoff win. Nick Foles never became a franchise quarterback for the Eagles but has some of the team’s most memorable moments.
3. Zach Ertz
The Eagles selected Zach Ertz in the second round of the 2013 draft. He was originally the backup tight end to Brent Celek but became the primary pass catching tight end by his second year.
Ertz had at least 700 receiving yards in six out of his eight seasons in Philadelphia. He set the single season reception record by a tight end in 2018 with 116 catches. Ertz made the Pro Bowl in 2017, 2018, and 2019. He will always be remembered for his go-ahead touchdown in Super Bowl LII against the Patriots.
Zach Ertz was a great draft pick. He became the franchise tight end and Carson Wentz’s primary receiver. Ertz helped the Eagles win a lot of games and get to the playoffs three straight years. He was traded to the Cardinals in October 2021 due to the emergence of Dallas Goedert.
2. Fletcher Cox
Fletcher Cox was drafted in 2012 out of Mississippi State. He was the 12th overall pick and selected to be a defensive tackle. Cox has had an incredible career for the Eagles. He has six Pro-Bowl selections and four All-Pro honors. He was named to the NFL 2010’s all-decade team.
Cox has been reliable and dominant during his time in Philadelphia. He only missed four starts since 2013. Cox has 58 career sacks, 14 forced fumbles, and 443 tackles in his 10 years with the Eagles. The Eagles released Cox after this past season but brought him back for a one-year contract.
1. Lane Johnson
Lane Johnson was drafted with the fourth pick in 2013. Johnson played his college football for Oklahoma at offensive tackle. 2013 marked a new era for the Eagles. Andy Reid was just fired, and the Eagles had a high draft pick in a relatively weak draft class.
The Eagles were fortunate that this pick worked out. He became the starting right tackle his rookie season and has anchored the offensive line ever since. Johnson has three Pro-Bowl selections and two All-Pro honors in his career. This upcoming season will be the last on his current contract, but Johnson has been a huge contributor to the Eagles’ offense the past decade.