2016 NFL Mock Draft: Eagles take a common offensive lineman in the first round

NFL free agency begins this week so this should be a busy time. Teams will have a chance to address their needs by signing players to fill roster holes. Meanwhile, there are only 52 days until the 2016 NFL Draft is schedule to start on April 28. We're going to kill some time with our regular Mock Draft Monday series from now until then.

For the first time in five weeks, SB Nation's Dan Kadar does not have the Eagles taking Paxton Lynch at No. 13 overall. Instead he has the Birds taking an offensive line that's often been connected to Philadelphia: Michigan State tackle Jack Conklin.

"With Jason Peters approaching the end of his career, the Eagles could be in line to add a new offensive tackle. With Conklin's power playing style, he could start his career at guard before moving to right tackle opposite Lane Johnson."

Conklin is the new popular pick for the Eagles. Ten out of the 28 mock drafts in our roundup had the Eagles taking him. the next closest popular player was Lynch, who appeared four times.

Offensive line is such an obvious need for the Eagles that they're bound to be connected to players like now that the quarterback situation is "settled" with Sam Bradford being re-signed. The Birds will have a chance to add a new blocker (or two) in free agency. They've already been connected to Chiefs offensive lineman Jeff Allen. The Eagles could sign Allen to start at left guard while drafting Conklin to start at right guard. Conklin would eventually be moved out to right tackle once Lane Johnson moves over to the left side to replace Jason Peters.

It'll be interesting to see the kind of impact that free agency will have on Philadelphia's draft plans. The Birds don't have a ton of cap space so they won't be as crazy active as they were last offseason. It would be unlike Howie Roseman to sit out free agency entirely, however, especially with big roster holes to fill.

So what do you think of this pick?