The Top 10 First-Round Picks in Philadelphia Eagles History

There is nothing better than a homegrown player. You know, the player who is drafted by the same team that he becomes a great player with over the next decade. 

Over the history of the Philadelphia Eagles, the team has whiffed on quite a few first-round picks.But they've also had their share of absolute gems. 

The following 10 slides will highlight the 10 best first-round draft picks in Philadelphia Eagles history. (It doesn't matter if the player was drafted with the first overall pick or the last pick in the first round. Only the round is important.)

10. Jerome Brown, Defensive Tackle, 1987-1991

Jerome Brown beats out cornerback Lito Sheppard for the final spot on this list. Selected with the ninth overall pick in the 1992 draft, Brown played just five seasons before his tragic death after the 1991 season. 

The vocal leader of the Gang Green defense in the late 1980s and early 1990s, Brown earned two Pro Bowl selections and was twice named a first-team All-Pro. 

He recorded 29.5 sacks and recovered 10 fumbles in his career.

9. Tra Thomas, Offensive Tackle, 1998-2008

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - JANUARY 11: Tra Thomas #72 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on during the NFC Divisional Playoff Game against the New York Giants on January 11, 2009 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Eagles defeated the Giants 2

Taken with the 11th pick in the first round, the massive tackle protected quarterback Donovan McNabb for 10 seasons (as well as the combination of Bobby Hoying and Koy Detmer in his first season). 

Tra earned three Pro Bowl selections and was once named a first-team All-Pro. He started 15 or more games in 10 of his 11 seasons with the team, missing six games due to injury in the 2005 season. 

His approximate value (a Pro-Football-Reference statistic) ranks him as the second best offensive linemen in Eagles' history.  

8. Jerry Robinson, Linebacker, 1979-1984

Not since Jerry Robinson was selected with the 21st pick of the first round in the 1979 NFL draft have the Eagles used a first round pick on a linebacker. 

Robinson lived up to the hype, appearing in one Pro Bowl (1981). He earned two first-team All-Pro selections and one second-team All-Pro selection. 

Robinson joined the Los Angeles Raiders after six highly successful seasons with the Eagles.  

7. Keith Jackson, Tight End, 1988-1991

Jackson was picked with the 13th selection in the 1988 NFL draft. He became Randall Cunningham's favorite target, catching 81 passes for 869 yards and six touchdowns in his rookie season. 

He earned a Pro Bowl selection, as well as first-team All-Pro honors, in each of his first three seasons.

Jackson left the Eagles via free agency after four brilliant seasons, earning two more Pro Bowl selections and retiring on a Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers team.

6. Jerry Sisemore, Offensive Tackle, 1973-1984

Sisemore was picked third overall in the 1973 draft. Starting in 1974, the right tackle didn't miss a start for eight seasons, a streak of 127 consecutive games. 

The Eagles offense drastically improved under Sisemore's blocking, and running back Wilbert Montgomery flourished into a star. 

Sisemore earned two Pro Bowl selections throughout his career and retired as the Eagles' all-time leader in approximate value.

5. Bob Brown, Offensive Tackle, 1964-1968

Brown received a $100,000 signing bonus after he was drafted as the second pick in the 1964 draft. He was named the 1964 NFL Rookie of the Year. 

He became arguably the most dominant offensive lineman in team history, appearing in three Pro Bowls in five seasons with the team. Twice he was named the NFC Offensive Lineman of the Year. 

He was traded to the Los Angeles Rams before the 1969 season. Brown retired after the 1973 season and was inducted in the pro football Hall of Fame in 2004.

4. Mike Quick, Wide Receiver, 1982-1990

The 20th pick in the 1982 draft became one of the best homegrown receivers in team history. 

Quick appeared in five consecutive Pro Bowls and was twice named a first-team All-Pro. His best season came in 1983 when he caught 69 passes for a league-leading 1409 yards (20.4 yards per catch) and 13 touchdowns. 

His speed helped him average 17.8 yards per catch throughout his career, including a 99-yard game winning touchdown to beat the Atlanta Falcons in overtime of a 1985 game.  

3. Donovan McNabb, Quarterback, 1999-2009

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PHILADELPHIA - DECEMBER 27: Donovan McNabb #5 of the Philadelphia Eagles is pressured by Elvis Dumervil #92 of the Denver Broncos on December 27, 2009 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the Broncos 30-27. (Phot

The greatest quarterback in franchise history was actually booed when he was selected as the No. 2 pick in the 1999 draft. 

Eagles fans weren't booing when he was selected to six Pro Bowls and led the team to five conference championship games, including an appearance in Super Bowl XXXIX, over the next decade. 

He holds franchise records in every statistical category, including attempts, completions, yards, and touchdowns. His touchdown-to-interception percentage is second best in history among quarterbacks who have started for at least five seasons.  

2. Steve Van Buren, Running Back, 1944-1951

One of the most underrated running backs in league history, Steve Van Buren is probably the greatest offensive weapon the Philadelphia Eagles have ever had. 

He was chosen with the fifth pick in the 1944 draft. In eight seasons, he was named an All-Pro seven times. He became the first running back in history to win three consecutive rushing titles. 

One of the fastest players in the league, Van Buren helped the Eagles win two NFL championships, in 1948 and 1949. In the first game, Van Buren scored the game's only touchdown. In the second game, he rushed 31 times for a league record 196 yards. 

He retired as the NFL's all-time leader in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns. He also scored three times returning kicks and twice on punt returns.  

1. Chuck Bednarik, Linebacker/Center, 1949-1962

Bednarik is arguably the greatest player in Philadelphia Eagles history. 

He was selected with the first pick in the 1949 draft and played his entire 14-year career with the franchise. 

Bednarik is known for being the last NFL player to play both ways, as he played center on offense and middle linebacker on defense. Incredibly he missed just three games in his career. He helped the Eagles win the 1960 NFL championship, and provided a game-saving tackle of future Hall of Fame running back Jim Taylor in the closing seconds. 

Bednarik was selected to eight Pro Bowls and was named an All-Pro 10 times.