Eagles Duo Appears on ‘Top 25 NFL Players 25 and Under’

A pair of Philadelphia Eagles checked in on a countdown of the best players 25 years old and younger.

The Philadelphia Eagles had perhaps the perfect mix of young players and veterans during a 14-3 campaign a season ago, a formula that general manager Howie Roseman plans to run back in 2023 as the team attempts to return to the Super Bowl. 

Earlier this offseason, four Eagles -- center Jason Kelce, right tackle Lane Johnson, defensive end Brandon Graham and cornerback Darius Slay -- all checked in on Pro Football Focus' countdown of the top 30 players 30 years and older.

The flip side of that is a new countdown from CBS Sports, which ranked the top 25 players in the NFL that are 25 years old or younger, a list that features two current Eagles. 

Receiver DeVonta Smith checked in at No. 21, after the former first-round pick hauled in 95 passes for 1,196 receiving yards in his second season. 

"In a stacked group of young wideouts, 'Slim Reaper' might be the most underrated," CBS Sports writes. "A.J. Brown is the imposing No. 1 in Philly, but Smith often plays just as physical despite his slender frame, putting his body on the line for sideline and jump balls." 

The aforementioned Brown perhaps had a more memorable performance in Super Bowl LVII, but Smith was the Eagles' leading receiver, with seven receptions for 100 yards in a 38-35 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. The Eagles will certainly exercise Smith's fifth-year option following the 2023 season, and Roseman would be wise to start planning for a way that he and Brown can co-exist on major contracts one day. 

Speaking of players who are well-compensated, quarterback Jalen Hurts received a five-year, $255 million extension from the Eagles this offseason. After finishing runner-up in NFL MVP voting last year, Hurts -- who will turn 25 in August -- was given the No. 2 spot on this countdown. The only player above him is Minnesota Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson, who has turned in staggering production in his first three seasons. In another reality, Hurts and Jefferson could have been teammates. 

Regardless of that missed possibility, Roseman and the Eagles have two players on this year's list, and the potential for more next season. While Hurts and Smith will graduate from being eligible for this list, linebacker Nakobe Dean, pass rusher Nolan Smith and defensive tackles Jordan Davis and Jalen Carter are all candidates to land on this list next year. 

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