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NFL Mock Draft 2013: Eagles beef up offensive line

Mock drafts following the 2013 NFL Combine have the Eagles targeting an offensive lineman--perhaps Oklahoma's Lane Johnson or Alabama's Chance Warmack--in the NFL Draft.

By Louis Bien
Joe Robbins

With Chip Kelly installed as the Philadelphia Eagles' new head coach, resurrecting a struggling offense will be a priority. In the 2013 NFL Draft, that means building a solid wall in front of quarterback Michael Vick, according to mock draft experts. Doug Farrar of Yahoo! Sports and Don Banks of Sports Illustrated project Oklahoma offensive tackle Lane Johnson and Alabama guard Chance Warmack falling to the Eagles at No. 4 overall.

Farrar's argument for Johnson is simple: He is the most athletic left tackle in the 2013 draft class.

Johnson's stock has been rising since a dominant Senior Bowl, and his combine tests proved what he already knew -- he's a very mobile lineman with freakish athletic tendencies. New head coach Chip Kelly may adap some of his Oregon offensive principles for the NFL, but don't expect him to stray from the idea of a multiple zone blocking system that provides optimal flexibility. Perhaps more than any other lineman in this class, Johnson has the pure athleticism to bring it in Kelly's schemes.

While Banks could see the Eagles going after Central Michigan offensive tackle Eric Fisher, he believe Warmack is simply too rare of a prospect to pass up.

The Michael Vick re-signing fairly well convinced me that Chip Kelly is going to make do with what's already on hand in Philly this year on the quarterback front. But getting a better foundation built in front of an Eagles quarterback is the most pressing issue Kelly faces. Warmack is the best guard prospect to hit the NFL in many years, but Philadelphia could easily turn in the card for Central Michigan offensive tackle Eric Fisher as well.

Regardless of who they ultimately select, the message is clear: The Eagles will need to be much better up front if they our going to improve on their four wins from one season ago.

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