4 legendary Eagles running backs Philadelphia selected after round one
player. 479. . . . Brian Westbrook. 36
The Eagles find a football star at a basketball school, one in their backyard.
Philadelphia approached the 2002 NFL Draft with the crafty duo of Duce Staley and Correll Buckhalter already on the roster. During that year’s draft, they formed arguably one of the most talented trios this franchise has ever seen.
The Eagles selected Brian Westbrook out of Villanova University in the third round with the 91st overall selection. During his rookie season, he awaited his turn behind RB1 (Duce) and RB2 (Buck). He still managed to rush for 193 yards in 15 games.
The takeover began in year two. As the former Villanova Wildcat earned the top spot on the depth chart. During his second and third seasons, he ran for 1,425 yards with ten touchdowns in 28 games. He also hauled in 110 receptions. That resulted in 1,035 receiving yards with ten more trips to the end zone.
In 2006, Westbrook would enjoy his first 1,000-yard season as he notched 1,217 yards with seven touchdowns. Brian would continue to up his game. In 2007, he rushed for 1,333 yards with seven touchdowns. He racked up 771 receiving yards with five touchdowns during that same stretch.
For his efforts, he was named a First-Team AP All-Pro in 2007. He also earned his second Pro Bowl designation.
The former third-rounder would play two more seasons with the Eagles. 1,210 rushing yards, 583 receiving yards, and 16 total touchdowns were the results of his efforts. He finished his career in 2010 as a member of the San Francisco 49ers.
Westbrook currently owns the third-highest rushing yards total in franchise history. He’s a member of the Philadelphia Eagles Hall of Fame and the franchise’s 75th-anniversary team.