The Philadelphia Eagles have been one of the lucky NFL teams that have been stellar when it comes down to drafting impactful players over the last 25 years.
Whether it was Tom Modrak, Andy Reid, Tom Heckert Jr., Chip Kelly, or Howie Roseman, they all have been able to bring in top talent through the draft and help the Eagles have only five losing seasons since 2000.
Roseman played a considerable role in bringing in Eagles' starting quarterback Jalen Hurts and future Hall of Fame center Jason Kelce. Hurts and Kelce were included in Bleacher Report writer Brad Gagnon's ranking of the top 25 best draft picks in the last 25 years.
Hurts and Kelce truly are Philadelphia's most valuable draft picks
Hurts showed up on the list for the Eagles first as he was ranked 14th.
"Anytime you can land a bona fide franchise quarterback without using a top-50 pick, you’re winning big. That’s what Hurts has done in helping the Eagles get to two Super Bowls in four seasons as a starter, winning MVP in the last one."
The Eagles selected him in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft, despite some initial criticism, as Carson Wentz was the starter. Roseman ended up with the last laugh as Hurts has made two Pro Bowls, been selected to an All-Pro team, taken the Eagles to two Super Bowls, won the Super Bowl in 2024, and was named Super Bowl MVP.
Safe to say Hurts ended up being one of the franchise's best non-first-round picks.
Kelce enters the rankings next at 11 after the Eagles selected him in the sixth round of the 2011 NFL Draft.
"Taken three rounds later than his younger brother two years earlier, Jason was a stalwart six-time first-team All-Pro for the usually competitive Eagles."
Kelce was also a seven-time Pro Bowl selection and the catalyst for one of the best plays in NFL history, nearly making the Tush Push unstoppable. He has become a staple in Philadelphia and a fan favorite that will live on for a long time.
Hurts and Kelce are easily two of the most essential Eagles in the last 25 years for the impact they have made. The Eagles had a franchise quarterback they could rely on to stay on the field and a center who embodied what Philadelphia is all about.
Roseman took chances on both guys, and because of the homework he and the scouting department did, it paid off. He made and won Super Bowls because of those guys.
Kelce will eventually ride off into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and Hurts will continue to lead the Eagles in the future over the next 10 to 15 years (hopefully). Those picks alone should also include Roseman in the Hall of Fame conversation when the time comes.
