Best Philadelphia Eagles third-day draft steals dating from 2002-2021
. . . Omar Gaither (2006). 9. player. 54
Omar Gaither and Kurt Coleman were two very talented Philadelphia Eagles.
A two-time Second-team All-SEC nod (2004, 2005), the Philadelphia Eagles found Omar Gaither while fishing in the Tennessee Volunteers talent pool during Round 5 of the 2006 selection meeting. He rewarded them with 38 starts over a five-year, 73-game stretch. That includes six playoff-game appearances.
The results were favorable: 291 total tackles, five sacks, two interceptions, 19 pass breakups, two forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries. You can’t ask for much more from a fifth-rounder.
He and Chaney edge out six very honorable mentions who aren’t on this list. They include offensive lineman Dennis Kelly, linebacker Moise Fokou, running back Kenneth Gainwell, wide receiver Quez Watkins, defensive lineman Beau Allen, and tight end Clay Harbor.
. . . Kurt Coleman (2010). 8. player. 54
The 2010 NFL Draft was an interesting one, especially for the Eagles. As they did in 2022, they traded up in Round 1, ignored the draft’s best safety (Earl Thomas), and landed a pretty good player in his own right, defensive lineman Brandon Graham.
The Birds would add two safeties later a second-rounder, Nate Allen, and Kurt Coleman in Round 7. Arguments can be made that Coleman was a slightly better player. Unfortunately, for Philadelphia, his best years came during a two-year run from 2015 to 2016 under former Eagles assistant Sean McDermott.
Oh well… You live and you learn, right?