Best Philadelphia Eagles third-day draft steals dating from 2002-2021
54. . . . Brent Celek (2007). 3. player
Here’s a look at two of the most productive Eagles late-rounders ever.
Tight end Brent Celek was so good, if you didn’t know better, you might be duped into thinking he was a top-tier prospect from one of college football’s best programs and Philly found him in Round 2 or something. None of that was true. He wasn’t.
Celek was a fifth-rounder Philly drafted in 2007 out of the University of Cincinnati. He played 11 seasons, all of which were with the Philadelphia Eagles. The result? Well, it wasn’t too shabby. Try 425 receptions, 5,255 receiving yards, and 34 touchdowns in 184 games with 139 starts. That includes nine playoff games. He’s played for Andy Reid, Chip Kelly, and Doug Pederson, and he retired as a Super Bowl Champion.
Again, if you didn’t know any better you’d think he was a former five-star recruit that played for an NCAA powerhouse.
. Trent Cole (2005). 2. player. 54. .
This list isn’t a list at all if Trent Cole‘s name isn’t on it. He isn’t just the second-best third-day draftee the Eagles took between 2002 and 2021. You can make successful arguments for him being one of the ten best late-rounders the Philadelphia Eagles have ever taken.
Guess what? He’s a former Cincinnati Bearcat as well. Philly drafted him in 2005 with the 146th selection, and Cole rewarded that confidence with ten years, 163 games with 153 starts (that includes eight playoff games), two Pro Bowl nods (2007,2009), a Second-Team All-Pro nomination in 2009, 614 tackles, 88 sacks, 154 additional QB hits, an interception, 18 pass breakups, 19 forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, and two defensive touchdowns.
Seriously, what else needs to be said?