The clock is ticking, Eagles fans.
On April 30th, the NFL Draft will kick off from Chicago, as NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announces the latest class of NFL talent. To make sure that you're all set for when the Eagles are on the clock for the first time, we're counting down each day with look at each number from 100-1 and the significance that the number holds in Eagles history.
Without further ado, let's continue the countdown…
The Eagles have had a good amount of success when drafting with the 31st pick.
In 1957, the Eagles used the pick on a flanker receiver out of the University of Oklahoma named Tommy McDonald. McDonald went on to become one of the best players in Eagles history, a six-time Pro Bowler and a member of the 1998 Pro Football Hall of Fame class.
More recently, the Eagles used the 31st pick in 2005 to select defensive tackle Mike Patterson, who had a very successful stint in Philadelphia, serving as a key piece of the Eagles' defensive line during the late 2000s.
First Eagle To Wear No. 31: E Joe Carter (1933-40)
Current Eagle Wearing No. 31: CB Byron Maxwell (2015-present)
RB Wilbert Montgomery (1977-84)
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Wilbert Montgomery ran for 6,538 yards as a Philadelphia Eagle, but his 42 most important yards aren't even included in that tally.
Originally a sixth-round draft pick out of Abilene Christian, Montgomery end his career as the Eagles' all-time leading rusher (passing the great Steve Van Buren), but his 42-yard touchdown scamper in the 1980 NFC Championship Game is the play for which he will always be remembered.
On a frigidly cold day at Veterans Stadium, Montgomery took the handoff from Ron Jaworski, made one quick cut and was off to the races. The score put the Eagles up 7-0, and they never looked back. Montgomery had electrified the Philadelphia crowd and had virtually taken the rival Cowboys completely out of the game.
After a successful playing career, Montgomery moved in to coaching. He won a Super Bowl ring as the Baltimore Ravens running backs coach and currently holds the same position for the Cleveland Browns.
