Eagles enjoying soaring stock who are not named Saquon Barkley and Zack Baun

There are times when our excitement gets the best of us. As media members and fans, we're allowed that. We try to adopt an NFL star's mentality. Sure, we coach ourselves with the 'one game at a time' approach, but the fact is that's the Philadelphia Eagles' job, not ours.

We talk about football for a living, so we can dissect losses and celebrate wins for as long as we please. We aren't playing a game next week, so even if we place a cap on things, that isn't because we have to. Sometimes, the fan living inside of us takes over the conversation.

That said, you have no idea how often we've rewatched Saquon Barkley's highlights on repeat. If we aren't doing that, we're bragging to everyone we can about Zack Baun.

Their stock is soaring. Barkley is an MVP favorite. Baun has been so good that he may force Howie Roseman to rethink his theories about paying linebackers. But, hey... This time last season, we didn't think the Eagles would pay a running back.

Here are a half-dozen Eagles whose stock is soaring with the home stretch of the NFL season upon us.

We could gush over Saquon Barkley and Zack Baun until we're blue in the face, but we won't. We'll spread the love around here.

For a few moments, two guys we discuss as often as we can take a backseat to guys we don't discuss enough.

And, since we're thinking in this vein, as good as Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean have been, we'll also take a break from beating their drums to spread the love to other Eagles. Their stock is also rising. The Birds have won eight straight games since the bye, but they may not have had it not been for these guys.

Jordan Mailata, left tackle

Jordan Mailata missed four games this season because of injury but has continued his rise to being one of the game's top left tackles whenever he has been on the field. Pro Football Focus credits him with 524 offensive snaps played. He has committed three penalties and allowed one sack.

Let that sink in for a second.

Often, he is overshadowed because of the guys who play around him, but with one of Philly's legends, Jason Kelce, now retired, Jordan's chances at making the Pro Bowl roster increase.

We'd also love to give a shot out to Fred Johnson. He filled in during Mailata's absence and was often left on an island. For the most part, the veteran but inexperienced backup played about as well as you can ask.

Jalen Carter, interior defensive linemen

Jalen Carter's value can't be measured simply in stats alone. Watch this guy on Sunday. He is double-teamed constantly and still wrecks damn near everything. He is already beyond 43 pressures on 406 pass rush snaps.

He's a headache for opposing offenses, and he has played 619 snaps, roughly 83% of the defense's total. So much for those questions about his motor and endurance, right?

Carter, again, must be measured by more than tackles and sacks. He has 34 of the former. That eclipses his total as a rookie, and after registering six sacks in 2023, he has notched 4.5 this season with five games remaining.

Mekhi Becton, right guard

Everything we heard about Mekhi Becton from our friends who were NY Jets fans revolved around theories that he was lazy and refused to work hard. But, again, those were our Jets friends. Maybe he just didn't want to play for the Jets. Can you blame him?

Jeff Stoutland asked for the opportunity to coach this young man, and with the second chance, he has flourished. Let's hear it for Stoutland U.

Per PFF, the former first-rounder has committed three penalties and has allowed three sacks on 640 offensive snaps. He has certainly been better than advertised and is continuing to improve.

Nakobe Dean, middle linebacker

There's a phrase we've been thinking about... 'Run through a wall'... We truly believe Nakobe Dean would try to do that if given the opportunity.

Some guys won't ask to be the defensive signal-caller. Dean wants to do the job and enjoys it.

In 12 starts this season, he has added 94 tackles and three sacks to the Eagles' bottom line. He hauled in a game-ending interception vs. the Jacksonville Jaguars to preserve a Week 9 home victory.

Saying his stock is 'soaring' might be a slight stretch, but it's only a slight one. He is headed in the right direction and continues to make the most of his opportunities.

He and Zack Baun have hopefully thrown a wedge in the Eagles' revolving door at linebacker. If Dean becomes better at coverage, the sky is truly the limit.

Nolan Smith Jr., EDGE/Outside Linebacker

We warned you about labeling Nolan Smith as a 'bust' too quickly. All he needed is reps and a coach who could maximize his talent. He has found both as Vic Fangio has helped in his improvement.

Smith produced the Eagles' second-highest tackle total vs. the Baltimore Ravens. He notched eight stops. Three were solo. He also helped pressure Lamar Jackson to the tune of a sack and a QB hit.

Since the Week 5 bye week, he has tallied 4.5 sacks which ties him with the aforementioned Jalen Carter.