Which sixth-round picks provided the best value? After evaluating the first 12 drafts of the Reid era, here is a comprehensive look at the sixth-round picks who delivered the most.
3. Linebacker Joe Mays, 2008The Headbuster was a fan favorite for the way he recklessly threw his body around punishing ball carriers. Mays garnered attention at training camp his rookie season for his hard hits, but was equally impressive on the field in the final preseason game with a team-best 12 tackles. He earned a spot on the team as the backup middle linebacker and earned some playing time on special teams. In his second season, Mays rose to the top of the depth chart after the season-ending injury to Stewart Bradley. Mays was in and out of the first-team lineup, but found his niche as an impact player on special teams. A good box linebacker against the run, Mays had some limitations in coverage. The emergence of rookie Jamar Chaney last year allowed the Eagles to trade Mays to Denver for a 2012 conditional pick. In Denver, Mays started in five games for the Broncos and notched 40 tackles.
2. CB Dexter Wynn, 2004The venerable Wynn was a reserve cornerback who made his biggest contribution to the team as a return specialist. Inserted as both a punt and kickoff returner his rookie season, Wynn had 53 career punt returns and averaged 8.2 yards per return. On kickoffs, Wynn had 35 in his three seasons with the Eagles and averaged 19.0 yards per return. With Lito Sheppard and Sheldon Brown in midnight, Wynn was never going to crack the starting lineup but was a valuable resource with his ability to play on defense and special teams. After three seasons with the Eagles, Wynn caught on with the Texans for two more seasons and another with the Lions.
1. FB Cecil Martin, 1999Selected in Reid's first draft, Martin played in 60 games for the Eagles from 1999-2002. Along the way, Martin earned the Ed Block Courage Award after at one point living in a homeless shelter prior to his senior year of high school. The former Wisconsin Badger took the starting fullback job midway through his rookie season and carried it all the way through until the end of his Eagles tenure. Martin had 103 yards on 26 carries with the Eagles and showed his proficiency at being able to catch the ball out of the backfield with 81 catches for 491 yards and two touchdowns. The Eagles signed Jon Ritchie prior to the 2003 season to provide more of a spark offensively. Martin would play one more NFL game with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
