The Eagles' best undrafted stars
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The Eagles' best undrafted stars
The buzz surrounding several of the Eagles' rookie free agents in training camp brings up a relevant question (certainly for them): Is it realistic that they'll either make the team or have any long-term impact?
Defensive back Cliff Harris, running back Chris Polk, and wide receiver Damaris Johnson top the list of undrafted rookie free agents with the best hopes to stick around this season. But it's not easy.
Historically, several Eagles have completed the hard route from forgotten to unforgettable, but it's not common. Here are the top five from recent Eagles history.
1. Chad Lewis: He joined the Eagles in 1997 as an undrafted player, was cut in 1999, and then went on to reach the Pro Bowl in three straight seasons. He played nine years with the team.
2. Andre Waters: "Dirty Waters" was signed out of Cheyney University in 1984 and the strong safety played 10 years with the team, making his impact on and off the field as a fan favorite. He made the All-Pro team in 1991.
3. Herman Edwards: He tops the list of several rankings of the Eagles' best undrafted stars. He joined the team in 1977 and started every game during his nine-year career with the team.
4. Hollis Thomas: Thomas joined the Eagles in 1996 out of Northern Illinois and spent 10 years with the team, including five as a starter at defensive tackle.
5. Jamaal Jackson: Undrafted out of tiny Delaware State, Jackson was initially a practice squad member who went on to be regarded as one of the league's best centers.
Chad Lewis over Andre Waters and Herm Edwards... Andre Waters presence alone is more value than the 3 probowls he went to because he was the only guy Mcnabb had. I like Chad alot but come on man. Over Andre Waters?!?! Dirty Waters?!?! Only reason he wasnt invited to the probowl was because nobody wanted to get hurt playing a useless vacation game.— Zeru- Yes, they should keep a stat for the most "short-arms" caused. I have to believe Waters would have been among the all-time leaders.
- I think Quintin Mikell deserves a mention here.— Laika33
you also have to include former DE Greg Brown 1981-86 is ranked on the all time birds sack records— chalton harley- How about that Vince Papale. They even made a movie about him.— watsonmr
- There is now way this writer is a lifelong Eagles fan. He has to be a hired hand from somewhere else.— UncleStosh
- Yeah, add Mikell. How about Jason Peters? Wasn't he undrafted?— armchairGM
- John, How could u miss K Davis Akers? Akers is a six-time ProBowler. NT Ken Clarke, DT Cullen Jenkins and not so recent DT Bucko Kilroy (Francis Joseph Kilroy) who played on the 1948 & 1949 World Championship Teams and was named to the 1940 NFL All-Decade Team.— DADGERRY
- Q. Mikell has been best undrafted guy of Andy Reid Era in my opinion and Akers is also there. How could either be left off list?— mcalabrese
- what is it with the love fest for jason peters. He was drafted as a TIGHT END. by another team. The writer seems to be talking about guys that started out with the Eagles as undrafted guys right out of college. They werent smart enough to convert a TE to OL themsevles, only to throw gobs of money at the guy after he was already established as the best OT in football. All the hard work was already done for them. It would be like building your own bike with a new inovative idea vs buying a new bike already fixed up by someone else, paying 10x more for it, it even breaks on you, and you claim you built it yourself. The Eagles inovative ideas are STUPID. Other teams ideas actually WORK.— CharlieGarner25
typo: UNdrafted as a TE...eagles passed on him just like everyone else...and werent smart enough to pick him up as an undrafted free agent.
