Do you remember former Eagle Danny Watkins, and how did his career figure into today’s draft? Or how about Jermane Mayberry?

Does Barry McGuire’s draft-related song, “Eve of Destruction,” trigger a memory?

The NFL draft is upon us, and the Eagles should have a relatively quiet night with the 23rd overall pick in the first round. Most projections have the Birds taking an offensive tackle to help prepare for the eventual replacement of 36-year-old Lane Johnson, who has hinted his days could be numbered.

In this version of my Yesterday column — reminiscing about sports and pop culture from the 1960s, ’70s, ’80s and sometimes before and beyond — I’ll look back at some Eagles draft picks at offensive tackle, a brief history of the draft, and some thoughts about the country’s other “draft.”

Thinking back, who was the Eagles All-Pro tackle who later played with the Rams and Raiders? What former Eagle was booed at the draft? What former Eagle and Giant wrestled at WrestleMania? And what was the song about a college campus tragedy that shook the country?

Walking the Line ... You have to be an Eagles expert to remember the aforementioned Watkins. Ironically, he was the Eagles’ 23rd pick in the 2011 draft and the oldest first-round selection since 1971 at age 26.

Watkins made an immediate impact, starting 12 of 16 games as a rookie, but started only six games the following season. He was released before the 2013 season and signed with the Dolphins, with whom he played one game before retiring.

On the other hand, Mayberry, the 25th pick in the 1996 draft, became an All-Pro and spent nine seasons with the Birds and one with the Saints.

Some old-timers may remember Bucko Kilroy and Jess Richardson, who were among the Eagles’ last All-Pro guards of the 1950s.

One of the Eagles’ most prominent tackles was Jerry Sisemore, the third overall pick in 1973, who was a mainstay at right tackle for 12 seasons.

Tra Thomas, the 11th pick in 1998, was a three-time Pro Bowler who held down left tackle for 10 seasons. Barrett Brooks spent four years with the Birds and two with the Lions before becoming a studio analyst.

Don’t forget Bob Brown, the second overall pick in 1964 and a three-time All-Pro. Brown excelled for five years in Philadelphia on struggling teams before finishing his career with the Rams and Raiders.

Walking the Line ... While Kilroy, Richardson, Mayberry and Sisemore rank among the team’s better protectors, there also were plenty on the other side.

Most notably was Kevin Allen, the team’s top pick in 1985, who flopped as a rookie and later was convicted in a criminal case.

Remember Antone Davis? The Eagles gave up two first-round picks for the 1991 selection, and Davis was gone after five largely disappointing seasons.

With Davis, the Eagles drafted Bernard Williams and envisioned having two young rising tackles. But Williams was released after his rookie year following a suspension for marijuana use and never played again.

Finally, Leonard Mitchell was the top overall pick in 1981 as a defensive end, and spent five years in green and white before being traded to Houston after converting to tackle.

Ringing It In ... Philadelphia was the site of the first NFL draft, and the Eagles held the first overall pick with Heisman Trophy winner Jay Berwanger.

But the Eagles traded Berwanger’s rights to the Bears, who never signed him after he asked for the then-astronomical sum of $25,000 over two years. Ironically, Berwanger never played a down in the NFL.

In the inaugural draft, only 24 of the 81 selected players played in the league.

It Wasn’t a Mistake ... Back in 1999, the Eagles selected Donovan McNabb ahead of high-profile running back Ricky Williams, who was viewed as a franchise player.

McNabb’s selection was loudly booed by the “Dirty 30,” a group organized by then-WIP morning host Angelo Cataldi.

McNabb had the last laugh, as Cleveland selected Tim Couch No. 1 overall and Williams slipped to New Orleans at No. 5.

Bethlehem’s Best ... The city has produced a number of NFL players, including Chuck Bednarik, Mike Hartenstine, Mike Guman, Tom Donchez, John Spagnola, Devin Street and Mike Coccia. Ray Scholl was the first in 1929 with Boston.

Another Classic Game ... In 1974, Parker Brothers unveiled its “Pro Draft” game.

Players acted as GMs, drafting Topps player cards to build the highest-value lineup. You used contract cards to bid on players, option cards to trade or steal, and spun a wheel to take actions, with the highest total value at the end winning.

It would be cool to play with the old cards again.

Roger Wasn’t a Dodger ... Through the years, several NFL players were drafted after military service or served during their careers.

One of the most notable was Roger Staubach, who completed his Navy commitment before entering the NFL at age 27.

Others included Dallas’ Chad Hennings, an Air Force pilot; Arizona’s Pat Tillman, who left the NFL to serve and was killed in Afghanistan; and Dallas’ Eddie LeBaron, known as “The Little General,” who earned a Purple Heart and Bronze Star during the Korean War.

The Other Draft ... Back in the 1960s, a number of anti-war songs topped the charts.

“Eve of Destruction” reached No. 1 in 1965. Others you may remember include Bob Dylan’s “Blowin’ in the Wind” (1963), Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Fortunate Son” (1969), and Edwin Starr’s “War” (1970).

If you were at Woodstock — or know someone who was — you may recall Country Joe and the Fish’s “I-Feel-Like-I’m-Fixin’-to-Die Rag.”

There also was the controversial “Ohio” (1970) by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young about the Kent State shootings. It was a groundbreaking song.

If you’re a child of the ’70s, you’ll know Bo Donaldson and the Heywoods’ bubblegum classic “Billy, Don’t Be a Hero” reached No. 1 in 1974. Many people don’t realize it was about a girl who didn’t want her boyfriend to join the military.

Readers Write

Baseball Memories

Hi Jeff,

I continue to enjoy your column. After reading a bit about baseball in Allentown (April 15, 2026 issue of the Bethlehem Press), I thought you might enjoy this information:

My great-uncle, Fred B. Franks Sr. (1870-1968), remembered for building several cement companies, purchased Horlacher Brewing Co. in Allentown in 1934.

Baseball was always a favorite hobby (along with fishing). In 1937, he entertained the Philadelphia A’s at the Americus Hotel after they played an exhibition game in Allentown. A memorable event was Aug. 15, 1935, when he was at his fishing club in Canada when Will Rogers and Wiley Post were killed in a plane crash in Alaska.

Susan Derr Kirk

WWWF/WWE Wrap ... Each week, I’ll look back at a former wrestler we watched in our youth.

In keeping with the theme of this column, former Eagle Reggie White and ex-Giant Lawrence Taylor both had their wrestling moments.

During the 1990s, White made appearances in WWE and WCW. He appeared at ringside during WrestleMania XI, and later entered the ring to battle former Bear Steve “Mongo” McMichael at WCW Slamboree in 1997.

Coming off a Super Bowl victory with the Packers, White and McMichael battled until “Mongo” used a steel briefcase to stop White.

At WrestleMania XI, Taylor squared off with Bam Bam Bigelow. “L.T.” won with a flying forearm smash and was exhausted afterward.

Memory Lane ... In each column, I’ll look back at a former player, coach or media personality from our yesterday.

Staying with the theme, see if you can recall these local players who were drafted by NFL teams:

George Bibighaus, Lehighton, Giants (1947); Stan Marczyk, Nesquehoning, Bears (1949); Hillmer Olsen, Lansford, Lions (1957); Steve Barilla, Palmerton, Lions (1964); Bill Pilconis, Panther Valley, Lions (1971); and Sean Love, Marian, Cowboys (1991).

Enjoy the draft!

Your thoughts are always welcomed and may be published. Email them to tnsports@tnonline.com.