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4 Philadelphia Eagles make Pro Football Focus’ Top 101 players of 2018

By Geoffrey Knox

PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 23: Tight end Zach Ertz #86 of the Philadelphia Eagles makes a touchdown reception against cornerback Aaron Colvin #22 of the Houston Texans during the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 23: Tight end Zach Ertz #86 of the Philadelphia Eagles makes a touchdown reception against cornerback Aaron Colvin #22 of the Houston Texans during the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /
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Four Philadelphia Eagles show up on Pro Football Focus’ list of the Top 100 players of 2018. Don’t act as though you’re not interested.

Let’s be honest. We love lists. We love power rankings. We love mock drafts. Anything involving a countdown or a ranking just grabs the interest of any Philadelphia Eagles fan, or any sports fan in general.

Hey, it’s the era of fantasy football. Why should we be surprised with our stat-obsessed selves?

Pro Football Focus recently released their rankings of the top 100 players of the 2018 NFL season. Come on. You knew something like that was on the way. Eagles fans will, no doubt, want to know which ‘Birds’ made the cut. If you’re like us, you can probably already guess, but just for kicks, let’s go through the names anyway.

91. Zach Ertz, tight end

"Ertz finished his record-setting 2018 season with the most ever receptions by a tight end, with 116 on 154 total targets. In his sixth season, he finished as the sixth-highest graded player at the position with an overall grade of 76.0 and a 79.5 receiving grade."

64. Jason Kelce. center

This is Kelce’s third appearance on this list. Here’s what PFF had to say:

"Kelce may very well be the best all-around center in the NFL, and his 2018 season further proved that point. The Cincinnati grad turned Philadelphia legend led all centers in run-blocking grade (80.6) while ranking second behind Oakland’s Rodney Hudson in pass-blocking grade (88.0)."

50. Brandon Graham, defensive end

Graham figures to be one of the more sought after free agents this offseason. We’ve learned, thanks to a brief era in Eagles history that featured Chip Kelly at the helm, that Graham can also play outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme.

You already know what happens when he plays defensive end in the traditional 4-3. Here’s PFF’s take. It’s his fifth time making this list:

"Brandon Graham had yet another great year as the Eagles’ premier pass-rusher. He earned an overall grade of 88.1 last season, tying for ninth out of 113 edge defenders, while his 70 total pressures (56 hurries, nine hits, five sacks) were the fourth-most for an edge defender in 2018."

5. Fletcher Cox, defensive tackle

Come on. You already knew this was the highest rated Eagles player on the list. Didn’t you? It’s also his fifth time making the list. Here’s the skinny:

"There’s an argument to be made for Fletcher Cox having the very best second-best season of all time, and more people would be talking about his 2018 campaign if it weren’t for the sheer domination of Aaron Donald. Cox ended the year ranked second among interior defenders with an overall grade of 92.5, and his 101 quarterback pressures were the most we’ve ever seen from a defensive tackle not named Donald."

Philly will continue to build around Cox, Ertz and Kelce in 2019. Graham, as mentioned, will test out free agency. He shouldn’t have any issues finding a suitor.

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