Which Eagles defensive players were ranked high by NFL insiders?

Eagles
PHILADELPHIA, PA – SEPTEMBER 19: Philadelphia Eagles Cornerback Darius Slay (2) reacts after making an interception in the fourth quarter during the game between the Minnesota Vikings and Philadelphia Eagles on September 19, 2022 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA. (Photo by Kyle Ross/Icon Sportswire)

Unsurprisingly, a team that sets franchise records in wins and league highs in most defensive categories will be seen amongst the best of the NFL.

Over the last week, ESPN has unveiled a ranking system of top players at each position on defense as voted on by league players, coaches, executives, and scouts. To no one’s surprise, the Eagles have had several current and former players make up most of the list.

Darius Slay (5th)

Eagles
LANDOVER, MD – JANUARY 02: Eagles cornerback Darius Slay (2) waits for the game to start during the Philadelphia Eagles versus Washington Football Team National Football League game at FedEx Field on January 2, 2022 in Landover, MD. (Photo by Randy Litzinger/Icon Sportswire)

Slay finished as the fifth-best corner in votes and for good reason. The 32-year-old made his second straight Pro Bowl last season while totaling three picks. He shut down the likes of Justin Jefferson, CeeDee Lamb, and Terry McLaurin while helping Philadelphia’s defense rank as the top secondary in football last season. Slay is back for another season with the Birds and should continue to anchor a lethal cornerback group.

Javon Hargrave (5th)

Eagles
PHILADELPHIA, PA – OCTOBER 18: Philadelphia Eagles Defensive Tackle Javon Hargrave (93) heads to the locker room after the first half during the game between the Baltimore Ravens and Philadelphia Eagles on October 18, 2020 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA. (Photo by Kyle Ross/Icon Sportswire)

Hargrave may have signed elsewhere this past season but that doesn’t take away from the dominance he displayed with the Eagles over the last few seasons. Hargrave tallied 11 sacks last season en route to a Super Bowl berth and a franchise record for team sacks in a year. Hargrave signed a long-term extension with the 49ers during the offseason, but his 23 total sacks in three years in Philly show how good a signing he had become.

Haason Reddick (5th)

Eagles
PHILADELPHIA, PA – AUGUST 12: Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Haason Reddick (7) prepares to rush during pre-season game between the New York Jets and the Philadelphia Eagles on August 12, 2022 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia PA. (Photo by Andy Lewis/Icon Sportswire)

While Hargrave’s free agent signing a while back was good, there wasn’t a single player who has had a more significant free agent impact than Haason Reddick in 2022. Reddick was a finalist for Defensive Player of the Year with a career-high 16 sacks. Reddick anchored a ferocious pass rush for Philadelphia and is easily considered as one of the best pass rushers in all of football.

CJ Gardner Johnson (8th)

Chauncey Gardner-johnson
GLENDALE, AZ – FEBRUARY 12: Philadelphia Eagles safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson (23) flexes during Super Bowl LVII between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles on February 12, 2023 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, AZ. (Photo by Andy Lewis/Icon Sportswire)

Like Hargrave, Gardner-Johnson is no longer with the Eagles, but that doesn’t take away from how good he was in his lone year with the team. CJGJ tied the league lead in interceptions and helped transform the Eagles’ secondary into an elite group. Considering it was also just his first full-year playing safety in the NFL, Gardner-Johnson’s 2022 season was extremely impressive and will be a loss away from Philadelphia.

Eagles Receiving Votes: James Bradberry, Josh Sweat

Eagles
GLENDALE, AZ – FEBRUARY 12: Philadelphia Eagles cornerback James Bradberry (24) warms up during Super Bowl LVII between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles on February 12, 2023 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, AZ. (Photo by Andy Lewis/Icon Sportswire)

Bradberry and Sweat both had superb seasons with the Eagles in 2022 – it just wasn’t enough to put them in the rankings of each position. Bradberry helped Darius Slay make the Eagles’ secondary one of the best in football while setting career highs in most coverage categories. Sweat, meanwhile, has continued his career trajectory and reached 10+ sacks for the first time in his career. Both players are back and are expected to be even better in 2023.

Photo by Kyle Ross/Icon Sportswire