2010s Philadelphia Eagles All-Decade Team: Defense & Special Teams

2010s Philadelphia Eagles All-Decade Team: Defense & Special Teams

Another decade of football has concluded for the Eagles, but unlike the last several, this one saw the Eagles capture that ever-elusive Super Bowl title. Over the last ten years, several players have come and gone, but which ones made the biggest mark on the franchise?

EDGE: Brandon Graham, 2010-present

Even though he didn’t become a regular starter until Doug Pederson and Jim Schwartz took over, it wasn’t hard to put the franchise’s leading sacker this decade on the team. Graham’s numbers in that category have never been gaudy, but his ability to consistently pressure the quarterback and also be elite in the run game can’t be measured in a box score. Graham hasn’t missed a meaningful game since 2011 and was selected as a second-team All-Pro in 2016. He’s also responsible for the single biggest defensive play in Eagles history with his timely strip-sack of Tom Brady in Super Bowl LII. 

EDGE: Trent Cole, 2010-2014

The franchise’s second all-time leading sacker, Cole totaled 38.5 of his 90.5 career sacks during his five-year stint with Philadelphia in the 2010s. His best years may have come before the beginning of the decade, but he remained productive until his departure and was an important piece of the Eagles lone playoff team in the Chip Kelly era. 

INTERIOR: Fletcher Cox, 2012-present

Who else? One of the most dominant interior defenders of this decade, Cox has been selected to five consecutive Pro Bowls and received an All-Pro nod four times. He is one of the very few interior defensive linemen who can single-handedly take over a game (see Week 17, 2018). Even in a down year this past season where he dealt with a nagging injury, Cox still tied his career-high with three forced fumbles. He is right behind Graham on the franchise list for sacks this decade. With all of his accomplishments since being drafted in 2012, Cox may very well contend for a spot on the NFL’s All-Decade team as well.

INTERIOR: Bennie Logan, 2013-2016

The task of finding a second interior defender to pair with Fletcher Cox wasn’t an easy one, but Logan takes the spot thanks to a number of solid seasons in midnight green. From 2013-2016, Logan was one of the better run defenders in the league, recording 164 tackles during his tenure in Philadelphia.

LB: Nigel Bradham, 2016-present

Since arriving with Jim Schwartz in 2016, Bradham has started every game he’s played in with Philadelphia. With 348 tackles in midnight green, Bradham ranks fifth this decade for Philadelphia. Everyone ahead of him made this team as well. He was rewarded with a $40 million contract in 2018 after becoming an important presence in the middle for a Super Bowl defense. 

LB: DeMeco Ryans, 2012-2015

Right behind Bradham in tackles for Philadelphia this decade, Ryans was a solid linebacker for Philadelphia during his four-year tenure. Although injuries contributed to his falling off during the last half of his time here, he still accomplished enough in 2012 and 2013 to earn a spot on this list. 

LB: Mychal Kendricks, 2012-2017

The older brother of Vikings All-Pro linebacker Eric Kendricks, Mychal was a solid linebacker in his own right while playing for the Eagles. His playing time was always shaky as a result of coaching decisions, but he made an impact whenever he was on the field. He ranks second among Eagles in tackles this decade behind the iron-man further down this list. 

CB: Asante Samuel, 2010-2011

He only played two seasons for the Eagles this decade, but that was enough for him to stand out at a barren position. Samuel’s lone Pro Bowl selection this decade came in 2010, already placing him above every other Philadelphia cornerback. That year he led the NFC in interceptions.

CB: Jalen Mills, 2016-present

Jalen Mills as a starter on your All-Decade team? Not ideal. He’s had his moments, most notably the 2017 Divisional Playoffs, but he makes this team because of being a starter for the past few seasons and starting in the Super Bowl. 

S: Malcolm Jenkins, 2014-present

One of the best free-agent signings in Eagles history, Jenkins has been an iron man since he arrived from New Orleans in 2014. In six seasons, he’s played more than 99% of defensive snaps five times (per PFR). He’s been selected to three well-deserved Pro Bowls and captured his second Super Bowl ring in 2009. Although age is starting to catch up, he remains a valuable contributor in the secondary. 

S: Rodney McLeod, 2016-present

While not as decorated as Jenkins, McLeod has also been a steady presence in the Eagles defensive backfield since his arrival. There isn’t much competition for this second safety spot, but after starting for nearly half of the decade, it’s well-deserved for McLeod. 

K: Jake Elliott, 2017-present

After the Eagles picked him up in relief of the injured Caleb Sturgis, Elliott kicked his way into the hearts of Eagles fans with a 61-yard game-winning field goal in 2017 that really pushed that Super Bowl season into the next gear. Elliott was recently handed a new contract for his efforts over the last three seasons. 

P: Donnie Jones, 2013-2017

In five seasons with the Eagles, Jones totaled nearly 17,000 punting yards. 

ST: Jon Dorenbos, 2010-2016

The hybrid long snapper and magician, Dorenbos was a core part of the special teams unit from 2006 to 2016. Even though he was off of the team before their championship season, he received a Super Bowl ring from the team. 

HC: Doug Pederson, 2016-present

Robbed of Coach of the Year in 2017, Pederson brought the Eagles their first Super Bowl title in franchise history. He’s led them to postseason appearances in three consecutive seasons.

-By: Micah Jimoh