The NFL Draft is set for April 30, and much of the offseason revolves around a buildup to the big day.

So for the next few weeks, we'll be counting down the five best draft classes in Philadelphia Eagles' history. Some of these classes shaped the rosters of successful teams, while others brought Hall of Famers to the city.

Each Sunday we'll unveil one class, starting with our No. 5-ranked haul from the 1998 NFL Draft.

OVERVIEW

Quarterback Donovan McNabb, a 1999 draft pick, emerged as the face of the Eagles' run to four straight NFC Championship games in the early 2000s. But it was a string of quality drafts before and after McNabb's arrival in Philly that provided the framework for the franchise's most successful stint of the Super Bowl era.

And the 1998 draft class made as much of an impact on the franchise as any other haul during that the time.

First-round pick Tra Thomas spent 11 years as the Eagles' starting left tackle. He protected McNabb's blindside during the team's greatest seasons of the decade and earned his way into three Pro Bowls.

Jeremiah Trotter, a third-round selection in 1998, bested Thomas by earning four Pro Bowl nods. Though the middle linebacker spent two years with the Redskins, Trotter's separate stints and eight total seasons with the Eagles defined his career.

Later in the draft, the Eagles nabbed defensive end Brandon Whiting (4th round) and linebacker Ike Reese (5th round), who both became starters.

The impact of the 1998 draft class was best illustrated in 2004, when Reese, Trotter and Thomas all made the Pro Bowl and led the Eagles to the franchise's second Super Bowl appearance.

THE PLAYERS (With links to career stats at Pro Football Reference)

1st round: OT Tra Thomas (11th overall)

3rd round: LB Jeremiah Trotter (72nd overall)

3rd round: DB Allen Rossum (85th overall)

4th round: DE Brandon Whiting (112th overall)

4th round: DB Clarence Love (116th overall)

5th round: LB Ike Reese (142nd overall)

7th round: DT Chris Akins (220 overall)

7th round: G Melvin Thomas (240 overall)

NOTE: Akins and Thomas never played snaps in the NFL, so they don't have a statistical history.

-- @AaronKazreports