It's "Listicle'' time in the NFL, when media outlets - yes, us included - occupy our football-loving time by creating lists.
"Top 100'' and "Top 10'' and "Best Ever'' and "All-Time Worst.'' ... You know the drill.
Here, let's do the exercise with a twist: We'll rank the Philadelphia Eagles' top prospects under 25 ... The idea is all about Philly's top five candidates for stardom - with a glance at how that compares to the rest of the NFC East.
5. Nolan Smith Smith improved his sack total in 2024, but was even better in the postseason. His 4.5 sacks during Philadelphia's run to Super Bowl LIX showed how dominant he can be when the lights are brightest.
He's Philly's best edge rusher going into the 2025 season and beyond. ... and no, there are no plans to trade him for Steelers holdout T.J. Watt. (See below.)
4. Jihaad Campbell This is a projection - a big one - but if he were healthy, Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell would have been a top 10 pick in April's draft. Those injuries shouldn't be ignored, but Campbell's entrance to the team brings one of the best college defenders into an already young and elite unit in 2025.
3. Cooper DeJean DeJean quickly became arguably the best slot corner in the game in 2024 and is expected to be used as a Swiss Army Knife moving forward. He is growing into one of the more versatile players in this secondary and has shown play-making star potential.
2. Quinyon Mitchell While DeJean's Super Bowl heroics will have him ranked higher than Philadelphia's first-round corner from the same draft, Mitchell is the better prospect. The Toledo prospect has become an excellent starting corner in his own right and seems only to be getting better.
1. Jalen Carter And this is where Philly can boast that in the NFC East, it's as good as it gets. There is a great argument for Dallas Cowboys lineman Tyler Smith (age 24) and an even better one for Washington Commanders QB Jayden Daniels (also age 24) as being the best of the "kids'' in the division.
But let's make sure Carter - yes, he's also 24 - is part of the conversation ... and let's make sure to acknowledge that he's already got a ring as a result of his immense talent.
We bet soon he will be not just Philadelphia's top prospect but fully seen one of the best defensive players in the league. The All-Pro defensive tackle was a key reason the Eagles won Super Bowl LIX and is only getting better. ...
Which helps Philly be the best.