16. Fletcher Cox

Team: Philadelphia Eagles

Position: DT

Experience: 7 Years

With all of the rule changes in the NFL lately it isn’t often that we get to talk about a player like Fletcher Cox. A throwback to an era of football where physicality was championed above all, the 6’4, 310-pound defensive lineman has plenty of strength. His presence in the middle of the Philadelphia Eagles line has made their defense one of the stingiest units against the run and still remained effective rushing the passer too. Cox isn’t just on the field to take up space, he has shown the ability to disrupt the passing game too. Whether it’s batting down throws or getting to the quarterback, he does it all.

A Pro Bowl selection in each of the last four years, Cox’s dominance at the defensive tackle position is among the best in the game today. Few others share his abilities to be a menace no matter what the game situation is. Need a goal line stand? Fletcher Cox is your man. Need a third and short run stuffed? Fletcher Cox is your man. Need pressure on the quarterback between the guards? Fletcher Cox is your man. He is the keystone of the Eagles defensive line.

Last year, Cox set a career-high with 10.5 sacks. The uptick in knockdowns saw him make First-Team All-Pro for the first time a season ago. He has 44.5 total in seven seasons. But it isn’t all about sacks with Cox. He has played in six postseason games—winning Super Bowl LII in 2017–and in each of the four playoff games Philadelphia has won with him on the roster, Cox has recorded at least one QB hit during the game. For the Eagles, just having the monstrous DT just in their vicinity is enough to rattle opposing quarterbacks.

Big things are expected out of this team in this upcoming year. With Carson Wentz healthy and handsomely paid, the team believes that they have a shot of making it to another Super Bowl. On top of that, the belief is that if they did make it to Miami for Super Bowl LIV, they’d be entering as favorites and not underdogs. All the pieces are in place for a great season. Now the team just has to get on the field and measure up to expectations. One player who certainly won’t let them down is Coz. He’s played in 109 of a possible 112 games since being drafted in 2012.

The former Mississippi State Bulldog is also still in the prime of his career. He won’t turn 29 until after the midway point of this year, and he’s found his groove on the field as the consecutive Pro Bowl selections can attest to. Speedy edge rushers might be all the rage nowadays but there’s a reason that the Eagles selected Cox 12th overall in the 2012 NFL Draft. The move is paying dividends for the franchise now and it only seems like Cox is getting better with age. Philadelphia has its eyes on the prize this season and in order for them to take it home once more they’re going to need the best they can get from number 91.