1. Claude Giroux, Flyers C
If this list had been compiled several seasons ago, when local sports teams were riding (relatively) high, there would have been tight competition at the top. For now, the best athlete in the city is the Flyers’ lone All-Star Giroux, who leads the team in points and has been their physical and emotionalleader for nearly a decade now. 2.Fletcher Cox, Eagles DE
It’s hard to argue that Cox is not the best asset the Eagles currently boast, and as one of the Birds’ three Pro Bowl selection, he is finally getting the national praise he deserves. The feisty edge-rusher posted career bests in sacks (9.5) and tackles (71), while making an impact in nearly every play from scrimmage. He’s got one year left before hemakes a splash on the free agent market in 2017. 3. Malcolm Jenkins, Eagles SS
Malcolm Jenkins doesn’t fly off the page as the third best athlete in Philadelphia, but look at the numbers. The safety was a defensive leader for the lowly 7-9 Eagles, compiling 109 tackles. He also had two big interceptions including a 99-yard pick six against the Patriots. He was the lone anchor for the Birds secondary this season and, from a power rankings perspective, clocks in at No. 3. 4. Jakub Voracek, Flyers RW
The Czech had a breakout season in 2014-15 and earned a giant contract after posting 81 points (59 assists) last season. He’s had a slow start to 2015-16 but still distributes the puck as good as anyone in the NHL, leading the Flyers in assists again. 5.Jordan Matthews, Eagles WR
Matthews fell just shy of a 1,000 yard season with 997 yards, but through two years in the NFL he’s been one of the best young Eagles wide receivers in team history. A big body out of the slot, he will surely be one of the next Eagles’ head coach’s favorite weapons. 6. Wayne Simmonds, Flyers RW
The third member of the Flyers’ Big 3, Simmonds is always a game-breaker offensively, using his big body to create space in the offensive zone and working as a master in front of the net. If a defense loses sight of Simmonds, it usually results in a Philly goal. 7.Zach Ertz, Eagles TE
A healthyErtzcan make a case for being one of the best tight ends in football. In 2015, after starting the season injured and playing in a lackluster Eagles’ offense, the big, 6-foot-6 athlete posted 853 yards on 75 receptions. 8.Brayden Schenn, Fyers C
Now in his seventh season of pro hockey, Flyers fans forget that the former fifth overall pick is still just 24-years-old. Schennhas become the best of Philly’s secondary scoring options, and is on the cusp of finallybreaking out. 9.Jahlil Okafor, Sixers C
The Sixers No. 3 pick, Okafor has become Philly’s No. 1 scoring option, and has solidified himself as the team’s best player. He is a viable candidate for NBA Rookie of the Year.
10.Jordan Hicks, Eagles ILB
Hicks, had he not gotten hurt midway through the 2015 season, would likely have been a top 3 Philly athlete. In just half a season he tallied 50 tackles, two interceptions (including a pick-six), a forced fumble and fumble recovery and sack. Not bad for a third-round pick. 11. Shayne Gostisbehere, Flyers D
Ghost burst onto the scene this season as one of the most threatening men from the point on any power play unit in the NHL. He has three-overtime game-winners and a ferocious slap shot.
12. Connor Barwin, Eagles OLB
Barwin had a quiet season, by his standards, in 2015but still had seven sacks and 54 tackles.
13. Maikel Franco, Phillies 3B
The first Phillie on our list, Franco showed the makings of a middle-of-the-order bat for Philly last season before getting hurt and will try to show he’s up to the hype in 2016.
14.Nerlens Noel, Sixers PF
Noel is a shot-blocking, rebounding machine — leading the 76ers in both categories. If he can get used to playing power forward (or is not traded) he has All-Star potential.
15.Darren Sproles, Eagles RB
Sprolesmay be the most exciting Eagle of the last two seasons, proving to be one of the best punt-returners in the NFL (he is a Pro Bowler). He’s also been able to work his way onto the field as a viable change of pace back. 16.Aaron Nola, Phillies SP
Nola broke onto the Big League level in just his second as a pro last season, going 6-2 with a 3.59 ERA. He has top of the rotation potential.
17. Sam Bradford, Eagles QB
The second half of the season showed Bradford break out and post stellar numbers, prompting Eagles fans to ask–which is the real Sam Bradford?
18. Ryan Mathews, Eagles RB
Mathews was banged up in 2015, but when his number was called he found ways to become the Eagles’ featured back ahead of DeMarco Murray.
19.Jason Peters, Eagles T
Peters had an injury-rattled season but still earned a Pro Bowl nod. Questions remain on how much he has left in the tank.
20. Lane Johnson, Eagles T
Johnson became the anchor on the Eagles offensive line, and could replace Peters on the left side when he retires.
21.Sean Couturier, Flyers C
22. Michal Neuvirth, Flyers G
23.Steve Mason, Flyers G
The Flyers have a pair of fairly potent goaltenders, but Neuvirthhas posted very impressive numbers as Mason’s back up and narrowly gets a higher ranking.
24. Bennie Logan, Eagles NT
25. Mychal Kendricks, Eagles ILB
26. Matt Read, Flyers RW
27. DeMarco Murray, Eagles RB
Murray did not live up to the preseason hype or to his past performance. We’ll get a better sense of whether it was his fault or Chip Kelly’s when he returns in 2016.
28. Brent Celek, Eagles TE
29. Jason Kelce, Eagles C
30. Donnie Jones, Eagles P
Jones got snubbed when he was not a Pro Bowl pick. He was a key cog in the Eagles very potent special teams unit.
31. Matt Harrison, Phillies SP
32. Jerami Grant, Sixers SF
33. Joel Embiid, 76ers C
Emibiid has yet to play a game for the Sixers, but his potential alone (as the third overall pick) makes him an asset Philly is still highly invested in.
34. Scott Laughton, Flyers C
35. Vincent Velasquez, Phillies RP
36. Brandon Graham, Eagles OLB
37. Cedric Thornton, Eagles DE
38. Vinny Curry, Eagles DE
39. Odubel Herrera, Phillies OF
40. Michael Raffl, Flyers LW
41. Byron Maxwell, Eagles CB
Maxwell was not as good as many expected him to be and he was inconsistent in man-to-man coverage. He could become more valuable if the next Eagles coach plays a zone scheme.
42. Kiko Alonso, ILB
43. Michael Del Zotto, Flyers D
44. Mark Streit, Flyers D
45. Freddy Galvis, Phillies SS
46. Altherr, Phillies OF
47. Walter Thurmond, Eagles FS
48. Eickhoff, Phillies SP
49. Charlie Morton, Phillies SP
50.Nelson Agholor, Eagles WR
51. Ish Smith, Sixers PG
The 76ers made the right choice in bringing back Smith. He’s already leading the team in assists and second in scoring.
52. Ryan Howard, Phillies 1B
53. Evgeny Medvedev, Flyers D
54. Ryan White, Flyers C
55. Jeremy Hellickson, Phillies SP
56. Darin Ruf, Phillies OF
57.Eric Rowe, Eagles CB
One can’t help but wonder how Rowe would have fared as a safety (his college position) instead of at corner his rookie year.
58. Josh Huff, Eagles WR
59. Cody Asche, Phillies OF
60. Chris VandeVelde, Flyers C
61. Carl Landry, Sixers PF
62. R.J. Umberger, Flyers C
63. Cesar Hernandez, Phillies 2B
64. DeMeco Ryans, Eagles ILB
65. Matt Tobin, Eagles T
66. Peter Bourjos, Phillies OF
67. Robert Covington, Sixers SF
68. Darnell Sweeney, Phillies OF
69. Nick Schultz, Flyers D
The defender is eclipsing the 1,000 games played mark–a milestone for any NHL player.
70.Brett Oberholtzer, Phillies SP
71. Alec Ashe, Phillies SP
72. Radko Gudas, Flyers D
73. Jorge Alfaro, Phillies C
74. Pierre-Edouard Bellemare, Flyers LW
75. Carlos Ruiz, Phillies C
76. Beau Allen, Eagles NT
77. Allen Barbre, Eagles G
78. Isaiah Canaan, Sixers PG
79. Sam Gagner, Flyers C
80. Andres Blanco, Phillies 2B
81. Riley Cooper, Eagles WR
Cooper caught 21 passes for 327 yards and two touchdowns in 2015. He was paid $4 million dollars for his effort, or just under $200,000 per catch.
82. Elton Brand, Sixers PF
83. Brandon Manning, Flyers D
84. E. J. Biggers, Eagles CB
85. Adam Morgan, Phillies SP
86. Ed Reynolds, Eagles SS
87. David Buchanan, Phillies RP
88. Richaun Holmes, Sixers PF
89. Travis Long, Eagles OLB
90. Taylor Hart, Eagles DE
91. David Hernandez, Phillies RP
92. Nick Cousins, Flyers C
93. Josh Andrews, Eagles G
94. Andrew Gardner, Eagles G
95. Colin McDonald, Flyers RW
96. Jon Dorenbos, Eagles LS
The Eagles have one of the best — if not the best — long-snappers in football. Not a lot of fanfare for this position unless he screws up.
97. Nolan Carroll, Eagles CB
98. JaCorey Shepherd, Eagles CB
99. Caleb Sturgis, Eagles K
100. Hector Neris, Phillies RP
101. Mark Sanchez, Eagles QB
102. Cameron Rupp, Phillies C
103. Chris Maragos, Eagles FS
104. Nik Stauskas, Sixers SG
105. David Molk, Eagles C
106. Severino Gonzalez, Phillies SP
107. Bryan Braman, Eagles OLB
107. Elvis Araujo, Phillies RP
109. Jaylen Watkins, Eagles CB
110. Luis Garcia, Phillies RP
111. JaKarr Sampson, Sixers SG
112. Cody Parkey, Eagles K
Parkeywas on track to be one of the league’s best kickers before getting injured in training camp. He should return to form in 2016.
113. Najee Goode, Eagles ILB
114. Randall Evans, Eagles CB
115. T.J. McConnell, Sixers PG
116. Jerome Couplin, Eagles SS
117. Brandon Bair, Eagles DE
118. Trey Burton, Eagles TE
119. Kendall Marshall, Sixers PG
120. Denzel Rice, Eagles CB
121. Kenjon Barner, Eagles RB
122. Marcus Smith II, Eagles OLB
He was a first round pick in 2014. Last year he had zero tackles. This year he had seven.
123. Hollis Thompson, Sixers SF
124. Jeanmar Gomez, Phillies RP
125. Tanner Hawkinson, Eagles T
126. Seyi Ajirotutu, Eagles WR
127. Jonathan Krause, Eagles WR
128. Dennis Kelly, Eagles T
129. Thad Lewis, Eagles QB
130. Barrett Jones, Eagles C
131. Steven Means, Eagles OLB
Someone has to be last, and right now it’s Steven Means. He didn’t see the field in 2015 but is better known as the player who replaced Miles Austin on the Eagles’ roster.
Philly all-sport power rankings: Claude Giroux is best of 131 athletes
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