When the Eagles signed Javon Hargrave and traded for Darius Slay this week, most fans started thinking about how the moves will shape Jim Schwartz's defense for years to come. Will Slay hold up as a top-tier CB as he enters his 30s? How much money is too much money to invest in defensive linemen? Most Eagles fans are smart, and they ask smart questions.
Of course, there are always fans who take a different route, like: these guys sure have cool names, huh?
Noted Eagles Twitter user @IgglesCoverage noted this week that the Hargrave and Slay moves instantly boosted the team's number of sweet nicknames, which is true. Hargrave is Gravedigger, and Slay is Big Play Slay. Those rock.
So I decided to rank the well-known nicknames of current Eagles players, because it's fun.
17. Derek Barnett: DB
I have nothing against initials-based nicknames (as you'll see later), but DB doesn't do it for me. Just a little plain.
16. JJ Arcega Whiteside: JJAW
NFL
JJAW is extremely fun to say out loud, but Arcega-Whiteside hasn't provided us many opportunities to use it in a positive light - at least yet.
15. Ronald Darby: Darbs
Darbs is solid, if unexceptional. It borrows heavily from hockey player nickname syntax, where nearly every player gets an "-s" or "-sy at the end of their name.
14. Avonte Maddox: 2 Live AM
This one is fun on a screen or on paper, but doesn't lend itself to a spoken nickname. Still, I appreciate Maddox going beyond just "AM".
13. Cre'Von LeBlanc: Strap
Strap is a pretty good nickname, but LeBlanc's actual name is so much fun to say that I can't imagine ever opting for "STRAP!" instead of "CRE-VON LE-BLANC!" after a big play.
12. Nate Sudfeld: Studfeld, or Suddy
Fans often call the super-backup "Studfeld", but NBC Sports Philadelphia's Dave Zangaro told me the players call him "Suddy". I like both.
11. Rasul Douglas: Sul
There are few things more enjoyable than a player, like Duce Staley, whose name can be boiled down to one syllable. A good "SUUUUUUUL" chant is good stuff.
10. Carson Wentz: Ginger Jesus
This is a very descriptive nickname. Wentz has red hair, he is a very religious person, and he's seen by some fans as the team's savior. It checks all the boxes, and it rolls off the tongue.
9. Vinny Curry: Mr. Get Flee
Curry says this nickname came from his college days, and that "flee" is just another way of saying "swag". Curry has swag in bunches, so it's very appropriate.
8. Miles Sanders: Boobie
Sanders got this name in high school from the running back at the center of "Friday Night Lights", and while I find myself normally calling him "Miles", it's still a great nickname.
7. Nate Gerry: White Snake
Between regular season and postseason, Gerry has appeared in just 35 games with the Eagles, but he's already got a top-flight nickname. It's reminiscent of Kobe Bryant's Black Mamba. It's just good.
6. Brandon Graham: BG
For me, and I think for many Eagles fans, Graham's "BG" transcends normal initials-based nicknames. It suits him perfectly. It's the first thing out of my mouth every time he makes a play, including the biggest one of all.
5. Tim Jernigan: Stud Muffin
Tim Jernigan is a big, confident dude with a lot of energy, so his rap moniker Stud Muffin feels both ironically hilarious and perfectly fitting. He's quite a character.
4. Darius Slay: Big Play Slay
Slay racked up 19 interceptions in seven years with the Lions, so it definitely fits the Eagles' new CB, and it's a rare three-word nickname that doesn't feel too wordy. It's fun!
3. Javon Hargrave: Gravedigger
Hargrave's nickname couldn't fit his play style any better. Wreaking havoc in the trenches? Gravedigger. Mauling opponents in the backfield? Gravedigger. Just perfect.
2. Jalen Mills: Green Goblin
Mills endearing himself to Eagles fans by dying his hair green - and then not changing it for years - is one of the more impressive self-branding moves from an NFL player, ever. Also, it makes a great nickname.
1. DeSean Jackson: Jaccpot
You can't beat Jaccpot. It's emblematic of one of the NFL's most explosive players of all-time: you can go a couple series between big plays from Jackson, but when he shows up, it's always a home run.
Honorable Mention: Jason Peters, The Bodyguard
The Eagles and Peters parted ways this offseason, but The Bodyguard is still one of the best Eagles nicknames ever. The image of Peters rushing to Nick Foles' defense after Chris Baker's late hit in 2014 will stick with me forever.
Click here to download the MyTeams App by NBC Sports! Receive comprehensive coverage of your teams and stream the Flyers, Sixers and Phillies games easily on your device.