3 Draft Picks the Eagles Gave up on Too Early

Putting their widely-criticized 2020 class aside, the Philadelphia Eagles have enjoyed tremendous success in the NFL Draft throughout the years. Most of the players that contributed to their Super Bowl win in 2018 were former draftees. From the likes of Fletcher Cox, Lane Johnson, Jason Kelce and Brandon Graham, there's no shortage of players that qualify for that list.

Like any franchise, however, there are some players that got away for the Eagles. Here are three former draft picks that Philly gave up on far too soon.

3. Jordan Hicks

Hicks' inclusion in this list might not resonate with Eagles fans yet because the organization let him walk following the 2018 campaign after declining to give him what he was owed on the open market. However, there's no doubting that Philly regrets that decision considering the breakout campaign its former third-round pick enjoyed with Arizona last year. Hicks registered 150 tackles (which ranked third in the NFL), seven quarterback hits, six pass deflections and three interceptions, which ranked third among all linebackers. At 27 years old, the former Buckeye looks poised to be a key cog of an up-and-coming Cardinals team while the Eagles are scrambling for linebacker help.

2. Kurt Coleman

It's not often that teams find sound NFL players in the seventh round of the draft, but that's exactly what the Eagles did with Coleman back in 2010. After a solid four-year stretch, however, Philly let him walk after his rookie contract expired and the franchise would quickly come to regret it. Between 2014-2017, the Ohio State product compiled 298 tackles, 14 interceptions, 22 pass deflections and two defensive touchdowns. He even appeared in Super Bowl 50 with the Carolina Panthers in 2015.

1. Jordan Poyer

If there are any Eagles fans out there that don't remember Poyer that's probably because he only appeared in three games for the team. The former seventh-round pick was claimed off waivers by the Cleveland Browns in the middle of the 2013 season. He has since established himself as a regular starter on a stout Buffalo Bills defense. Poyer has started all 47 games he's appeared in for Buffalo, producing 304 tackles, 11 interceptions, 22 pass deflections, 4 forced fumbles and 5 fumble recoveries. The Oregon State product's rise to stardom was unforeseen, but that doesn't mean Philly shouldn't regret giving up on him as early as it did.