The Eagles weren’t very well represented on the NFL Network’s list of top 100 players, which was voted on by the players.

Carson Wentz was ranked all the way down at #96 by his peers, with Jason Kelce at #72, Zach Ertz at #40, and Fletcher Cox at #28. Lane Johnson, Brandon Brooks, and Malcolm Jenkins didn’t make the list at all.

Not to be outdone, ESPN also compiles their own list, with the criteria as follows:

We asked a panel of more than 40 ESPN NFL experts to rate players based on how good they will be in the 2019 season in comparison to their peers. Emphasis was entirely on predicting potential greatness for the upcoming season, rather than past performance or positional value. From those ratings, we were able to rank the best of the best.

…

For each player, our NFL Nation reporters weighed in on his 2019 outlook, ESPN Stats & Information provided a signature stat, and fantasy analyst Mike Clay projected a stat line for this season.

Right, so this is a media poll. An expert poll.

Here’s where the Birds landed:

  • #23 – Zach Ertz
  • #29 – Fletcher Cox
  • #31 – Carson Wentz
  • #95 – Lane Johnson
  • #98 – Jason Kelce

It’s interesting to me that the Eagles do not have a top-20 player in either poll. I think the takeaway there is that this is a balanced squad with a lot of solid players on both sides of the ball. No one player is going to steal the show necessarily, but it looks to be an incredibly deep group on paper.

I also find the media vs. player ranking disparity to be compelling. Zach Ertz is ranked 23rd by ESPN’s experts, yet the players have him on the very fringe of the top-40. Those same insiders view Carson Wentz as the 31st best player in the league while the players ranked him waaaaaay down at #96.

Here’s the Carson blurb on ESPN:

Wentz was coming off an ACL injury and played most of the season with an injured back but still put up respectable numbers (69.6 completion percentage, 21 TDs, 7 INT) in 2018. He comes into this season in good health and with a host of playmakers at his side. It wouldn’t be a surprise if he returns to the MVP conversation. — Tim McManus

Signature stat: Wentz has 18 passing TDs and one interception against the blitz in the past two seasons, the best ratio in the NFL.

2019 projection: 4,044 passing yards, 31 TDs, 10 INTs

For what it’s worth, here’s how the top ten turned out:

  1. Aaron Donald
  2. Pat Mahomes
  3. Khalil Mack
  4. Tom Brady
  5. DeAndre Hopkins
  6. Aaron Rodgers
  7. Julio Jones
  8. Von Miller
  9. Russell Wilson
  10. Michael Thomas

Thoughts?