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Robert Nkemdiche And 4 Other Prospects Philadelphia Eagles Should Target In 2016 NFL Draft

Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Mock drafts are a little like the brackets we fill out in March. We’re never 100 percent accurate on them, and some of us aren’t even close; but every year we keep playing. The Philadelphia Eagles have huge holes to fill on both sides of the ball, and so many positions from quarterback to guard to the defensive line and the secondary are a cause for concern. This year they lose their second-round pick due to the trade for Sam Bradford, so it’s imperative the Eagles use all four picks they have in the third and fourth round. Anything quality can be of benefit, but here are five names that would be a comfort to see on the draft board.

5. Carl Nassib, Penn State Defensive End

Carl Nassib, Penn State Defensive End Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports
Rule number one about the draft says this isn't an exact science. Carl Nassib racked up 16 sacks, and depending on where you look, he's anywhere from a second to third-round prospect to the eighth best defensive end in the country. Can he still be around come round three? The Eagles sure could use another pass rusher, but then again, so does everybody else.

Rule number one about the draft says this isn't an exact science. Carl Nassib racked up 16 sacks, and depending on where you look, he's anywhere from a second to third-round prospect to the eighth best defensive end in the country. Can he still be around come round three? The Eagles sure could use another pass rusher, but then again, so does everybody else.

4. Landon Turner, North Carolina Guard

Landon Turner, North Carolina Guard Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Chip Kelly basically gave Evan Mathis away with no plan on what to do next. Fans waited on the plan and said plan never came. The interior part of the line got no push all season. Somewhere around round three you may want to take a guard seeing as how this isn't exactly a class full of them. That being said, Turner may not be around in the third round, but he has to at least be on the draft board.

Chip Kelly basically gave Evan Mathis away with no plan on what to do next. Fans waited on the plan and said plan never came. The interior part of the line got no push all season. Somewhere around round three you may want to take a guard seeing as how this isn't exactly a class full of them. That being said, Turner may not be around in the third round, but he has to at least be on the draft board.

3. Kyle Murphy, Stanford Offensive Tackle

Kyle Murphy, Stanford Offensive Tackle Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Let me say this again. The play of the offensive line this year was terrible. Now some of that can be attributable to the fact that Jason Peters had some issues staying healthy, but at the same time, that revealed a lack of depth and raised the question that Peters may not have a lot of productive years left. More attractive options at the tackle position may be snatched up quickly. That makes Murphy a realistic option and a good one.

Let me say this again. The play of the offensive line this year was terrible. Now some of that can be attributable to the fact that Jason Peters had some issues staying healthy, but at the same time, that revealed a lack of depth and raised the question that Peters may not have a lot of productive years left. More attractive options at the tackle position may be snatched up quickly. That makes Murphy a realistic option and a good one.

2. Connor Cook, Quarterback Michigan State

Connor Cook, Quarterback Michigan State Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
History has shown us franchise quarterbacks don't grow on trees. They aren't even a sure thing when they're top picks. The Eagles have had top picks like Michael Vick, Sam Bradford and Mark Sanchez all on the roster in the last three years. They also spent a pick on Matt Barkley who, at one time was projected to be the first pick in the draft. None of them worked out. This is still one of the team's most pressing concerns, so Cook is worth researching.

History has shown us franchise quarterbacks don't grow on trees. They aren't even a sure thing when they're top picks. The Eagles have had top picks like Michael Vick, Sam Bradford and Mark Sanchez all on the roster in the last three years. They also spent a pick on Matt Barkley who, at one time was projected to be the first pick in the draft. None of them worked out. This is still one of the team's most pressing concerns, so Cook is worth researching.

1. Robert Nkemdiche, Ole Miss Defensive Tackle

Robert Nkemdiche, Ole Miss Defensive Tackle Spruce Derden-USA TODAY Sports
With no second-round draft choice, the Eagles must hit on their first. If Robert Nkemdiche is available, they have to take him. He can solve many of the defense's needs in one pick. The Eagles need certainty on the defensive line and not help there. They have that in Fletcher Cox, but he can't do it alone. Nkemdiche would command the attention to force opponents to game plan around him thus elevating the play of his teammates. His presence on the roster is necessary, so hopefully he's still on the board come pick No. 13.

With no second-round draft choice, the Eagles must hit on their first. If Robert Nkemdiche is available, they have to take him. He can solve many of the defense's needs in one pick. The Eagles need certainty on the defensive line and not help there. They have that in Fletcher Cox, but he can't do it alone. Nkemdiche would command the attention to force opponents to game plan around him thus elevating the play of his teammates. His presence on the roster is necessary, so hopefully he's still on the board come pick No. 13.

Geoffrey Knox is a writer for RantSports. Follow him on Twitter, like him on Facebook, and follow him on Instagram.
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