Eagles

NFL Mock Draft 2013: Eagles could end up with Luke Joeckel

Could the Philadelphia Eagles wind up with Luke Joeckel if the Kansas City Chiefs elect to go in a different direction?

By James Brady@jamesbradyisme Apr 11, 2013, 8:00am EDT

The Philadelphia Eagles are one of those teams that many expect to be decent each year, but they've fallen flat more often than not in recent seasons. They fell very, very flat in 2012, finishing with just four wins, and they now have a top-five pick in the 2013 NFL Draft.

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Obviously, they don't want to be in that position. But at the very least, they are capable of landing one of the top talents in the nation at No. 4. They have a long list of needs on both sides of the ball, but most believe the offense needs some retooling on the offensive line and at quarterback.

Don Banks of SI.com put out his latest mock draft on Wednesday, and he has the Eagles going with offensive tackle Luke Joeckel out of Texas A&M:

I still can't pull the trigger on the Eagles taking West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith, because my sense is Chip Kelly views Florida State's E.J. Manuel a more viable option early in the second round. In Joeckel, the Eagles get one of the draft's elite offensive tackles and give themselves alternatives as both starters at the position, Jason Peters and Todd Herremans, return from injury-marred 2012 seasons.

Joeckel would be a huge get for the Eagles at No. 4, especially since many believe he will be gone by then. The Kansas City Chiefs have been the popular destination for Joeckel, and they hold the No. 1 pick in the draft. Banks has them going with Central Michigan offensive tackle Eric Fisher, however.

The latest mock draft from Matthew Fairburn of SB Nation has the Eagles taking Fisher at No. 4, with Joeckel going at No. 1. You can find scouting reports here (Joeckel) and here (Fisher).