Philadelphia Eagles Best Player Of All Time By Jersey Number
The Philadelphia Eagles have been in existence since 1933 and we have seen some high’s and lows… Mostly lows… Let’s not worry about that though. 2017 was the greatest year ever and nobody can take that from us! 2022 was an amazing year as well but it didn’t end up with the Lombardi Trophy. Darn you Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes! Let’s hope the 2023 season ends differently and the boys are holding the Lombardi Trophy and a nice big parade going down Broad Stree.
I wanted to do a little experiment and see if I could come up the best players in Eagles history by jersey number. I was born in 1985 so I might not know a lot about guys in the 30’s, 40’s, 50’s, and 60’s but bear with me. I do have to shout out Eagles.1rmg.com because they did most of the leg work. They have every Eagle ever and their jersey number.
What would you change in this list?
#1 - Jalen Hurts
I will go with Tony Franklin, the barefooted kicker as an honorable mention but it has to be Jalen Hurts who takes #1.
#2 - David Akers
Darius Slay is my favorite Eagle right now and by the time his tenure with the Birds is done, he will most likely be number 1…. You can’t put him above David Akers who was nearly automatic for a decade for the Eagles.
#3 - Mark Sanchez
Before you blast this selection, there are not many #3’s in franchise history and there are just about none who made an impact. At least Sanchez won a few games for the Birds. He will also be remembered for the “butt fumble” but that was not with the Eagles. A few honorable mentions: Steven Nelson. He played one year with the Birds and was lack-luster. Mike Kafka was a backup QB who was not really good.
#4 - Jake Elliott
Jake Elliott has the franchise record for longest field goal and he has been the Birds kicker for the past 4 seasons. He also was the kicker during the Super Bowl win. An honorable mention choice would be Kevin Kolb who never panned out after getting injured. Kolb was supposed to be the heir apparent to McNabb but he ended up falling flat.
#5 - Donovan McNabb
Say what you want about #5… He led the Eagles to 5 NFC Championships winning 1 but he holds basically every Eagles QB record. He took a really bad Eagles franchise and turned it around along with new head coach Andy Reid and Defensive Coordinator Jim Johnson. #5 is the best Eagles QB ever in my opinion even though he annoyed me most of the time.
#6 - Devonta Smith
This one is very fresh. Receivers have recently been allowed to wear single digit numbers… Devonta Smith is one of the best receivers on the team right now and he also won the Heisman Trophy a few years ago as a receiver.
2 Honorable Mentions could be Caleb Sturgis and Sav Rocca.
#7 - Ron Jaworski
Lots of Eagles fans will say Jaws is the best QB in franchise history. I still think it’s McNabb just due to the fact that he took the Eagles to 5 NFC Championships only winning 1. Honorable Mention has to be Michael Vick.
#8 - Donnie Jones
He was the punter on the Super Bowl winning team in 2017. Birds fans gave him 2 awesome nicknames as well.. Donnie “Bag of Bones” Jones and also Donnie “Long Ball.”
#9 - Sonny Jurgensen/Nick Foles
This one was super tough so I had to pick 2. I was not alive when Sonny was doing his thing. He was the backup QB on the team that brought a championship to Philly in 1960 beating Vince Lombardi and the Green Bay Packers, and he led the league in passing for multiple seasons. He left the Eagles to play for the Redskins but he was dominant with the Birds.
I could not just stop there… Nick Foles has to be on the list. He went head-to-head with Tom Brady and beat him bringing Philly our first Super Bowl. He also threw 7 td’s in one game. Sonny Jurgensen had the better career by far but my greatest sports moment in my life involved Nick Foles so I will put them both for #9.
#10 - DeSean Jackson
This was a very easy choice. By far one of the fastest players to ever put on the midnight green and one of the best deep threats the league has ever seen. Of course we can’t forget the punt return against the Giants in “The Miracle at the New Meadowlands” in 2010.
#11 - Norm Van Brocklin
I’m not sure why his jersey isn’t retired but oh well. Norm Van Brocklin led the Eagles to a championship in 1960 over Vince Lombardi and the Green Bay Packers. Carson Wentz had a shot at being the greatest #11 but we all know how that ended. I still have a soft spot for Carson because of his lights out play in 2017 and helping the Birds win a Super Bowl. Also, newly acquired received AJ Brown dons the #11. So far, so good. Keep it going AJ.
#12 - Randall Cunningham
This required no research. “The Ultimate Weapon” a.k.a. “Starship 12” a.k.a. “Rocketman” is one of the most beloved Eagles of all time and one of the greatest athletes the NFL has ever seen. Before McNabb, Michael Vick, Steve Young, Cam Newton, & Lamar Jackson… There was Randall! I still believe if he didn’t tear his ACL in 91, the Eagles win the Super Bowl.
#13 - Nelson Agholor
ho else can I put here? Travis Fulgham? He did have an amazing 4 games a couple years back. Josh Huff? Yeah, right?
With all his faults, he still was very clutch in the Super Bowl. The lack of Eagles who wore #13 is crazy that it has to go to Agholor.
#14 - A.J. Feeley
You gotta give it up to AJ for what he did in 2002 as the 3rd string QB. The Eagles had Super Bowl aspirations in 2002 then McNabb got hurt. Then, backup qb Koy Detmer got hurt against the 49ers. The Eagles were 8-3 and now the season relied on 3rd string QB AJ Feeley. He won the last 4 games of the season and the Birds were the #1 seed heading into the playoffs. Thank you AJ!
#15 - Steve Van Buren
This is a unanimous choice for a guy who won two NFL Championships with the Eagles, six First-team All-Pro nods, and four NFL rushing titles. He also led the NFL in rushing touchdowns four times and his #15 is retired by the organization.
#16 - Norm Snead
I did not see him play so I can only look at stats and he was a heck of a quarterback. He was selected to a Pro Bowl during his stint with the Birds.
#17 - Harold Carmichael
He is arguably one of the greatest receivers the Eagles ever had. The guy was super tall and could catch everything. His stats and awards and honors make the perfect choice. He was just named to the Hall of Fame in 2020.
#18 - Jeremy Maclin
Maclin was never the breakout player we thought he would be but he was still very solid with the Birds. Maclin and Desean Jackson were great receiving duo and we haven’t had a good duo until now with Devonta Smith & AJ Brown.
#19 - Tom Dempsey
Not many come to mind when you think of the #19 on the Eagles. Tom Dempsey kicked for the birds in the 70’s and was pretty reliable. He is more known for being a New Orleans Saint but we will claim him for this poll. Golden Tate had a great career but not with the Eagles, Miles Austin had some great seasons with Dallas but not with the Eagles.
#20 - Brian Dawkins
He could be the greatest Eagle of all-time, well at least one of them. Of course you have Reggie White so he may take the #2 spot. Weapon X was the leader of the Eagles defense for the greatest era in Eagles history. He was known for his pre-game antics, his spirituality, and his intensity. Everyone in Philly loves Brian Dawkins and this was a no-brainer.
#21 - Eric Allen
EA might be the greatest corner the Eagles have ever had. Troy Vincent is up there but he was #23… Bobby Taylor was a great corner for the Birds and he was #21 as well. I have to stick with Eric Allen as the best #21.
#22 - Duce Staley
This is where my age (36) will probably be a factor in this decision. I never saw Timmy Brown play but I only heard great things. Asante Samuel was also another great Eagle who wore 22 but Duce Staley carried the team for a while when the team wasn’t that great. He was a workhorse back until we drafted Brian Westbrook. DUUUUUUUCEEEEE!!!
#23 - Troy Vincent
This is my(Donnie) favorite Eagle of all time. He along with Eric Allen are the best 2 corners in Eagles history in my opinion. He was born and raised in the town right next to me and I was so happy when the Birds signed him in the mid-90s.
#24 - Sheldon Brown
After Bobby Taylor and Troy Vincent departed the Eagles, 2 new faces stepped in to fill those big shoes. One was Lito Sheppard and the other was Sheldon Brown. They were both fantastic and we all remember Sheldon’s huge hit on Reggie Bush back in 2007.
#25 - Tommy McDonald
A member of the Hall of Fame, the Eagles Hall of Fame, and he was a part of the 1960 Championship team. This is where my age didn’t deter me from selecting the correct pick. I loved LeSean McCoy while he was on the team. He is the all-time leading rusher in Eagles history but I was told Tommy McDonald is an all-timer in general.
#26 - Lito Sheppard
This guy had to replace Troy Vincent. Very tough to do but he did a fantastic job. He and Sheldon Brown manned the cornerback positions for a number of years and did a phenomenal job!
#27 - Malcolm Jenkins
One of the many reasons the Eagles won the Super Bowl in 2017. This dude was the heart and soul of the defense that year and his play on the field was spectacular.
#28 - Bill Bradley
I don’t know much about Bill Bradley but I do know that he played safety and also was the punter. That is amazing! He made 3 Pro Bowls at safety for the Eagles as well. I wanted to pick Correll Buckhalter just because I was such a fan but he’s just not there.
New Orleans Saints’ quarterback Archie Manning eludes Philadelphia Eagles’ defensive tackles, picking up a first down during a game at Tulane Stadium in New Orleans. Manning led the Saints to a fourth quarter touchdown, upsetting Philadelphia 14-10. Defensive end Bill Bradley (28) approaches the scrambling quarterback.
#30 - Brian Mitchell
He was one of the best kick returners we have ever had. He is probably better known as a member of Washington but he stood out here for years. Other choices were Charlie Garner or Corey Clement. Had to go with B Mitch.
#31 - Wilbert Montgomery
I didn’t get to see him play but I’ve so many stories about Wilbert from my grandfather. He is probably the greatest Eagles running back ever.
#32 - Ricky Watters
Ricky Watters will go down as one of the best Eagles backs of all-time but almost one of the most selfish. He will always be remembered for not laying out to catch a pass from Randall Cunningham against the Bucs and his comment “For Who, For What?”
#33 - Russ Craft
One of the more dominant defensive backs during his era. He helped the Birds win 2 NFL Championships in the 40’s.
#34 - Herschel Walker
He was only an Eagle for 3 seasons but he was a monster for those 3 years. He had better moments on other teams but he was dominant with the Birds until we got Ricky Watters.
#35 - Pete Pihos
What I heard is that Pete Pihos was an absolute beast with the ball in his hands. I did some research and found out these things… He was the fullback on 2 NFL Championship teams. He was a 6-time Probowler and 6 time All-Pro. and is a Pro Football Hall of Famer. Pretty good career!.
#36 - Brian Westbrook
A 3rd round draft pick from Villanova, he bursted onto the scene with his cutting ability and pass catching ability. He is still one of the most beloved Eagles of all time. We love you B West!
#37 - Tom Woodeshick
Not many #37’s worn by star Eagles players. Tom Woodeshick spent 9 seasons as an Eagles running back so that made him the most worthy player.
#38 - Cecil Martin
Another number that is not worn by star players for the Birds. Cecil Martin was a very good fullback for the Eagles blocking for Duce Staley for a few seasons.
#39 - Quinton Demps
Another number not worn by many.. Quinton Demps was a pretty good kick returner for the Birds and also played safety. He was an average player and he was always one of my favorite players during his years.
#40 - Tom Brookshier
Don’t know a ton about this guy. He was a DB for the Eagles during their 1960 Championship run. That’s about all I got.
#41 - Randy Logan
A phenomenal free safety for the Birds. He also played in 159 straight games at one point.
#42 - Keith Byars
Arguably the greatest fullback in Eagles history. He was a major fan-favorite during his tenure with the Birds.
#43 - Darren Sproles
A monster fan-favorite! He was so little but was so explosive. Punt returns, kick returns, running back, blocker, pass catcher. He was a Swiss Army Knife.
#44 - Pete Retzlaff
This guy did it all for the Eagles and his #44 has been retired by the team.
#45 - Don Burroughs
A fantastic DB during his time with the Eagles.
#46 - Jon Dorenbos
It probably should be Herm Edwards but this other guy stands out because not only was he a great long-snapper. He was also famous for being a magician!
#47 - Greg Jackson
Another number that has not been worn by many. Greg Jackson played 2 seasons with the Eagles racking up 151 tackles (121 were solo) and 7 INT’s.
#48 - Wes Hopkins
A very good safety for the Eagles. He spent his entire career in the Green & White and was even named a First Team All Pro.
#49 - Todd Bell
Better known as a Chicago Bear. Todd Bell is the only #49 worthy of this list. I couldn’t find a picture of him wearing 49… He also wore 52 for the Birds
#50 - Gary Cobb
A very good defender on an amazing Buddy Ryan coached defense.
# 51 - William Thomas
720 tackles (595 were solo), 27 interceptions, and 33 sacks makes him the only #51.
# 52 - Barry Gardner
He didn’t pan out to be exactly the Eagles were hoping he would be when he was taken in the 2nd round. He is till the best player to wear the 52.
#53 - Hugh Douglas
An absolute beast! One of my favorite players during his era. Alex Wojciechowicz has 2 championships but this is my list and I’m picking HUGE DOUGLAS!
#54 - Jeremiah Trotter
The Axe Man! Enough said
#55 - Brandon Graham
BG! He is the man. The strip-sack on Tom Brady in the Super Bowl. Love this dude!
#56 - Byron Evans
What a great defensive player. #56 goes to Byron Evans.
#57 - T.J. Edwards
Who else could we pick Chris Gocong? Nope, I’m going super recent with TJ Edwards!
#58 - Trent Cole
He would be successful in any defensive scheme. Trent was a complete player and was a beast!
# 59 - Seth Joyner
Football IQ off the charts. Just like Trent Cole, he could fit in any defensive scheme.
#60 - Chuck Bednarik
One of the greatest football players ever! Let’s look at some stats… 8 Pro Bowls, 10 First-team All-Pro nods, member of the NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team, NFL 1950’s All Decade Team, an Eagles Hall of Famer, a Pro Football Hall Of Famer, and his jersey is retired by the Eagles. I think he gets the spot.
#61 - Stefen Wisniewski
I will always choose a Super Bowl champion over anyone else.
#62 - Jason Kelce
LEGEND!
#63 - Hank Fraley
A very good center. He is the best #63!
#64 - Matt Tobin
He was a decent player and he’s the best to wear the #64.
#65 - Lane Johnson
One of the best offensive lineman in Eagles history and one of the best in the league right now.
#66 - Bill Bergey
He’s an Eagle Hall Of Famer so this puts him at the top of the list.
#67 - Jamaal Jackson
A very good center during his time with the Eagles so that makes him at the top of this list.
#69 - Jon Runyan
He was one of the best at his position during his time with the Eagles. Who didn’t love watching the Runyan-Strahan battles?
#70 - Al Wistert
Way before my time… He won 2 championships with the Eagles, his number is retired and he has many more accolades!
#71 - Jason Peters
He was arguably the best tackle in the league during his time with the Eagles. He was annoying at the end of his tenure but man was he great!
#72 - Tra Thomas
This guy was stout on the offensive line. You always knew he was going to protect McNabb and didn’t have to worry about him.
#73 - Shawn Andrews
I thought he was going to go down as all-timer. He was still very good and makes the list! It could be Isaac Seumalo but I went with Shawn Andrews!
#74 - Mike Pitts
I googled this one and found out Mike Pitts was a pretty darn good player!
#75 - Stan Walters
He’s an Eagles Hall of Famer so he makes the list!
#76 - Jerry Sisemore
An excellent O-lineman and an Eagles Hall of Famer!
#77 - Artis Hicks
Artis Hicks was a decent player with the Birds but not many other #77’s in the franchise.
#78 - Hollis Thomas
This could go in another direction but this is my recency bias.
#79 - Brandon Brooks
A fantastic player when not injured. He is a really good football player!
#80 - Irving Fryar
One of the best Eagles receivers of all time. Cris Carter was considered but his best days were with the Vikings.
#81 - Terrell Owens
The guy was must-see TV. Probably the greatest Eagles receiver to wear the green and white. He was a walking headline!
#82 - Mike Quick
Another Eagles receiver great and still a local radio guy!
#83 - Vince Papale
I mean they made a movie about his life and it starred Mark Wahlberg.
#84 - Freddie Mitchell
The man of many nicknames. Fred-Ex, First Down Freddie, Mr. 4th & 26. He gets the nod!
#85 - Charlie Smith
It was tough to find a good #85. He had some good seasons with the Eagles and had some great hands!
#86 - Zac Ertz
The most catches in a season in Eagles history. Caught the game winning TD in the Superbowl. Not much else to say about this guy!
#87 - Brent Celek
A very solid Tight End. He could block, run, catch… He was a leader in the locker room!
#88 - Dallas Goeddert
What an amazing talent. He does it all at the Tight End position.
#89 - Chad Lewis
A spectacular Tight End who could catch anything.
#90 - Corey Simon
He held down the Defensive Tackle position and was a stout run stopper.
#91 - Fletcher Cox
Will be a hall of famer? Maybe. An Eagles hall of famer? Definitely. He is a team leader and team captain!
#92 - Reggie White
The Minister of Defense could be the greatest football player ever and by far the Best Eagle of all time.
#93 - Jevon Kearse
The FREAK! This guy had a great stint with the Eagles. More known for his time with the Titans but still was amazing here in Philly!
#94 - N.D. Kalu
Not many #94’s in Eagles history so ND takes it!
#95 - William Fuller
Back to back 13 sack seasons earns a place on this list.
#96 - Clyde Simmons
An absolute beast. He should definitely be in the Hall.
#97 - Darwin Walker
Not many number 97’s in Birds history… Darwin Walker was a solid D Tackle.
#98 - Connor Barwin
A fantastic D End for the Eagles and an overall great person.
#99 - Jerome Brown
We lost this guy wayyy too soon. He was definitely on his way to be a 1st ballot hall of famer.
