In the first decade of the new millennium, Eagles' fans witnessed five NFC East titles, four-straight NFC Championship appearances and a trip to the Super Bowl. While the team found more success on the field, the draft picks in the 2000's fell a little short of their 1990's counterparts. In the second of four articles, we take a look back at the best draft picks by round of the 2000's.
7th Round - Moise Fokou (LB) 230th overall in 2009
Fokou only spent three seasons with the Eagles. He started 22 games and finished with 112 tackles, one forced fumble, and one sack. Not the most impressive resume, but he most certainly was the best choice out of the 11 picks the team made in the 2000's.
6th Round - Joe Mays (LB) 200th overall in 2008
Another linebacker with an unimpressive list of stats makes the list. Out of 14 draft picks, only five players played a regular-season snap with the Eagles. He played just two seasons with the team and finished with 18 tackles. In other words, management did not have an impressive run in the sixth round.
5th Round - Trent Cole (DE) 146th overall in 2005
Finally, a name casual fans will remember. The fifth round is also where the Eagles drafted Brent Celek, so this was a difficult choice. Celek's Super Bowl ring is nice, but in the end Cole's two Pro Bowl appearances, 85.5 sacks, 569 tackles and 10 years with the team pushed him ahead.
4th Round - Todd Herremans (OL) 126th overall in 2005
Herremans was a familiar face on the Eagles' offensive line the second half of the 2000's. He played left guard the majority of the time, but also spent time at right tackle and right guard for the team. The Saginaw Valley State University product also has two career touchdown receptions to add to his resume.
3rd Round - Brian Westbrook (RB) 91st in 2002
Eagles' management struck gold when they drafted Westbrook in 2002. He spent eight seasons with the team with nearly 6,000 rushing yards and 3,940 receiving yards. He was named an All-Pro once and had two Pro Bowl appearances. He's also infamous for taking a knee in the fourth quarter to seal the game against the Cowboys in 2007.
2nd Round - LeSean McCoy (RB) 53rd overall in 2009
It's hard to believe that a player so loved by Eagles' fans only spent six seasons with the team. In that time, "Shady" became the all-time leading rusher in Eagles' history while earning three Pro Bowl appearances. Rumors are circling around his No. 25 being retired by the team in the near future.
1st Round - Lito Sheppard (DB) 26th overall in 2002
The eight picks the Eagles used in the 2000's weren't exactly home runs. Most of the picks were strong role players for the team and not anyone we'll see enshrined in Canton, Ohio anytime soon. Sheppard spent seven seasons with the birds, and in 2006, became the first player in NFL history with two interception returns of more than 100 yards.
Check back next week as we look at the next decade of picks!
