While the Philadelphia Eagles made headlines with their early selections in the 2020 NFL Draft, the franchise also found promising players in the later rounds. Considering the organization's history of finding steals, especially at wide receiver, the Eagles might get more out of their 2020 draft class than expected.
Even with rewarding picks like Trent Cole, Wilbert Montgomery, Brian Westbrook, and Al Wistert scattered throughout the team's past, the following five players stand out as the best steals in Eagles history.
5. Clyde Simmons, DE
The Eagles took Simmons out of Western Carolina with the 233rd overall pick in the 1986 NFL Draft. At the time, the draft spanned 12 rounds, and Simmons heard his name called in the ninth. He spent eight years of his 15-year career with the Eagles.
Simmons did not receive much playing time as a rookie, but he quickly became a contributor in his second season. However, Simmons really broke onto the NFL scene in 1989, when he posted 15.5 sacks.
The defensive end made Pro Bowls in 1991 and 1992. He also earned First-Team All-Pro selections in both seasons and led the NFL with 19 sacks in 1992.
During his time with the Eagles, Simmons amassed 76 sacks, 12 forced fumbles, ten fumble recoveries, and three defensive touchdowns. While tackle data did not become official until 2001, Pro Football Reference suggests Simmons totaled 720 tackles with Philadelphia.
4. Tommy McDonald, WR
In 1957, the Eagles selected McDonald in the third round of the draft. Forty-one years later, the NFL enshrined McDonald in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
McDonald spent the seven best years of his 12-year career in Philadelphia. During that time, he went to five Pro Bowls and won the 1960 season's NFL Championship. McDonald also led the league in receiving yards and receiving touchdowns during the 1961 season.
The Oklahoma product amassed 287 receptions, 5,499 receiving yards, and 66 receiving touchdowns with the Eagles.
3. Jason Kelce, C
The Eagles landed Kelce in the sixth round of the 2011 NFL Draft. As a rookie, Kelce competed with Mike McGlynn for the starting center job and won. The team cut McGlynn, and Kelce started all 16 games for Philadelphia.
Kelce reached his first Pro Bowl in 2014, despite only playing in 12 games that year. He's made two more appearances since then, in 2016 and 2019. However, the past three seasons set the benchmark for Kelce's career and could provide the foundation for a Hall of Fame case someday.
Kelce began a streak of First-Team All-Pro selections in 2017, and he could earn his fourth consecutive bid this coming season. His success, combined with Philadelphia winning its first Super Bowl title during the 2017-18 season, arguably makes Kelce the most decorated lineman in team history.
2. Pete Pihos, End
In 1945, less than a decade after the first NFL Draft, the Eagles selected Pihos in the fifth round. The Indiana product played the end position, which filled the role of a modern day wide receiver before the Super Bowl era. He spent his entire nine-year career with the Eagles.
Pihos began stacking his trophy case early in his career. He won NFL Championships with the Eagles in 1948 and 1949. Pihos also earned his first First-Team All-Pro selection in 1949.
The end finished his career by making six consecutive Pro Bowls and earning five consecutive First-Team All-Pro selections. During the final three years of his career, Pihos led the NFL in receptions three times, receiving yards twice, and receiving touchdowns once.
Pihos retired with 373 receptions, 5,619 receiving yards, and 61 receiving touchdowns. Sixty-five years later, Pihos still ranks sixth in franchise history in receptions and receiving yards, and he's tied for the third-most receiving touchdowns in Eagles history.
Pihos entered the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1970.
1. Harold Carmichael, WR
In 1971, the Eagles drafted Carmichael in the seventh round, with the 161st overall pick. The 6-8, 225-pound wide receiver spent 13 years in Philadelphia and became a local icon.
Carmichael saw limited playing time during his first two seasons with the Eagles. However, he exploded onto the NFL scene in 1973, leading the league in receptions and receiving yards. Carmichael never did lead the NFL in a significant statistical category again, but he established himself as a pillar of Philadelphia's offense.
By the time Carmichael left Philadelphia in 1984, he held franchise records with 589 receptions, 8,978 receiving yards, and 79 receiving touchdowns. While Zach Ertz could surpass Carmichael's receptions mark this coming season, his other franchise records remain safe.
During this past voting cycle, Carmichael earned admittance to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
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