April 23, 2009
Depending on what year that you actually paid attention to it, the NFL draft for Philadelphia Eagles could either have been good, bad or disastrous. Considering their recent draft history of trading out of the first-round and drafting defensive lineman who never seemed to “pan out,” it would be easy to think that their draft history couldn’t get any worse, right?
Wrong.
Sadly, most of the Philadelphia Eagles’ drafts have been downright awful, especially when it comes to first-round picks. Here are the ten worst first-round draft picks in Philadelphia Eagles history:
10. Michael Haddix, RB (Mississippi State, 1983) - In the 1983 NFL Draft, the Eagles were looking for a talented, big, bruising running-back. Instead, they got Mississippi State running back Michael Haddix with the eighth pick. Haddix was so bad as a running back, that he never averaged more than 3.5 yards a carry and was eventually moved to fullback after only his second year at running back.
9. Kevin Allen, T (Indiana University, 1985) - Drafted with the ninth pick overall, Allen only played one season with the Eagles, his rookie season in 1985. That’s where it all went downhill for Allen. In 1986, he tested positive for cocaine when he reported to Eagles training camp, spent nearly three years in prison for sexual assault and was eventually banned from the NFL. When asked about Allen, former Eagles coach Buddy Ryan once said “"Kevin Allen was a good football player... if you want someone to stand around and kill the grass." [1]
8. Antone Davis, T (Tennessee, 1991) – Hoping to finally get a left tackle who could consistently block for All-Pro quarterback, Randall Cunningham, the Philadelphia Eagles moved up and picked Davis with the eighth pick in the draft. Davis’ introduction to the NFL came in a Monday Night Football game against the Washington Redskins and Pro-Bowl defensive end Charles Mann. Mann finished the game with two sacks and an assortment of different highlights that seemed to be instructional snippets on how to embarrass the opposing team’s left tackle.
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7. Leroy Keyes, RB (Purdue, 1969) - Considered by many to be the greatest player in Purdue University history and to others as one of the worst in Philadelphia Eagles history. More than that, Keyes will always be known as the “first running-back picked after O.J. Simpson.” Not only did Keyes only play five seasons in the NFL, but he only played one as a running back and gained only 369 yards before finishing his career a strong safety.
6. Jerome McDougle, DE (Miami, 2003) – Moving up 15 spots to get him, the Eagles thought that they had stolen the best player in the draft with pick 15. Instead, what they got was an injury plagued defensive lineman, who at best, only showed flashes of being a good player before being shot in the abdomen during the 2005 offseason. As loudly as he came, with all of the expectations that usually come with a first-round talent, McDougle was quietly released as part of the final cuts in 2008.
5. Bernard Williams, T (Georgia, 1994) – After a season of immense promise, marijuana use led a career destined for greatness down a road of disappointment and eventually, an NFL ban. Williams wasn’t a bad player, but his inability to gain longevity because of his marijuana habit, took a player that most thought would be Randall Cunningham’s “body guard” into obscurity and an eventual XFL and CFL career. Before getting banned by the NFL, Williams failed an unbelievable 15 drug tests.
4. Jon Harris, DE (Virginia, 1997) – Once called “the next Ed too-tall Jones,” by Philadelphia Eagles head coach Ray Rhodes, Jon Harris wasn’t remembered for his good play. In fact, he wasn’t remembered for much of anything, as his disappointing career could only muster up a meager two sacks in two very forgettable seasons.
3. Leonard Renfro, DT (Colorado, 1993) – Yet another in a long line of bad first-round draft picks by then head coach, Ray Rhodes. In 23 games as a Philadelphia Eagle, Renfro compiled a disgusting 19 tackles and zero sacks. Had he been taken in the third round, those statistics would still be considered “bust worthy.”
2. Mike Mamula, DE (Boston College, 1995) – Probably the worst, most embarrassing move of Eagles head coach Ray Rhodes. Rhodes moved up to pick Mamula, whose draft hype, was spurred on by an impressive workout at the NFL Draft Combine. If there was ever a poster boy to represent players that are great football players when the pads are off, it’s Mike Mamula.
1. Freddie Mitchell, WR (UCLA, 2001) – Not only was Mitchell too small and too slow, but he apparently wasn’t smart enough to play in the NFL, as he never seemed to master the Philadelphia Eagles playbook. Known for his “fourth and 26” catch, to many Eagles fans, Freddie Mitchell will also always be known as the wide receiver that Andy Reid drafted while future Pro-Bowl receivers, Reggie Wayne, Chris Chambers, Steve Smith and Chad Johnson were still available. So much for him being “the people’s champ.”|
