Eagles history: The 5 greatest NFL Draft steals since 1970
. . . Clyde Simmons. 96. player. 54
The Eagles hit another home run in 1986 by selecting Clyde Simmons.
Philadelphia continued their defensive upgrade after the aforementioned 1986 selections of linebackers Byron Lee (seventh round) and Seth Joyner (eighth round). Clyde Simmons was their ninth-round selection, a defensive end that cut his teeth at Western Carolina University.
His rookie season didn’t lead to any fireworks. Three tackles and two sacks in 16 games aren’t going to move the needle. Then, the light switch came on.
Clyde became a phenomenal professional and a defender opponents would fear during the next seven seasons, tallying 720 tackles, 76 sacks, 12 forced fumbles, and ten fumble recoveries.
He scored two TDs thanks to scoop and score fumble recoveries, and another TD by way of a pick-six interception. He’s a two-time First-Team All-Pro that was voted to the Pro Bowl twice. He led the NFL in sacks with 19 quarterback takedowns in 1992.
Following the 1993 season, Clyde left Philly to play for the Cardinals, Jacksonville Jaguars, Cincinnati Bengals, and Chicago Bears between 1994 and 2000. He’s the owner of the third most sacks in Eagles history (76).