PFF lists two Philadelphia Eagles as a Top-50 player in 2019

Pro Football Focus put together a list of the Top-50 players heading into the 2019 season. Two Philadelphia Eagles players made the list.

Just a few seasons ago, it was tough to decide whether the Philadelphia Eagles really had a player on their roster, who could be considered a Top-50 contributor in the league. Nowadays, we might get upset at the fact that the Eagles only had two guys listed as a Top-50 contributor in the NFL. Crazy how that works. Recently, Pro Football Focus made its annual list titled ‘PFF50′. There, they listed the Top-50 players heading into the 2019 season.

While the Eagles might be one of the more talented teams all around in the NFL, they will only find two of their players on this list. One on offense and one on defense. No need to get upset about it, though. Just remember, becoming a Top-50 player as a whole in the NFL is a ridiculous feat as it is. So there’s no surprise that the Eagles didn’t have five or so guys listed.

Also, at this point in time, the list is not complete. Later on this week, PFF will list the top ten, which we expect to see at least one Eagles’ player on (Fletcher Cox). However, we wouldn’t be shocked to see two crack the list as well (Zach Ertz). So excluding the top ten, let’s take a look at who PFF views as Top-50 guys so far on the Philadelphia Eagles.

Who’s on the list so far?

DE Brandon Graham, No. 41

"Sacks don’t tell the whole story for any player in the NFL, and no player epitomizes that more than Graham. He’s only recorded double-digit sacks in PFF’s system once (2017) but has been as consistent as they come from an overall pressure and pass-rush grade standpoint. He has recorded 45 or more pressures in six of his last seven seasons in the NFL and has earned 81.0-plus pass-rush grades in five of them."

I’m not going to lie — I did not see this coming. Brandon Graham is a stellar pass rusher, who the Eagles were fortunate enough to get back on somewhat of a discount. But to think he’s viewed as a Top-50 player in the league would be a bit questionable considering that Graham wasn’t even the best defensive end on his own team last year. While I agree that sacks don’t tell the whole story, it seems as though PFF continues to remain a bit biased towards Graham.

C Jason Kelce, No. 24

"“Kelce’s four-year overall grade (91.1) ranks fourth among the 94 interior offensive linemen with at least 2,000 offensive snaps played since 2015, and his 93.4 run-block grade ranks first among the same group of qualifiers. Most recently, Kelce earned a career-high 88.0 pass-blocking grade in addition to his 80.7 run-blocking grade in 2018. He also earned a 94.6 run-blocking grade throughout the Eagles’ Super Bowl run in 2017, a single-season mark that ranks first in the PFF era (2006-18) among qualifying centers and one that landed him PFF’s top run-blocker award in 2017.”"

Jason Kelce is hands down, the best center in the NFL. That’s not up for debate. He’s got the Pro Bowl, and the All-Pro honors to defend that claim. And now PFF lists him in their database as a top player as well. Around the league, there’s a notion that Jason Kelce is underappreciated, but that’s just a view from the outside looking in. At the Nova Care Complex, Kelce is very much appreciated, and the Eagles showed that when they offered him an extension just a few months ago. Nobody wants to see Kelce leave Philly anytime soon.