The 2015 regular season is over, and that means it's time for legit 2016 NFL Draft analysis and predictions for the top 20 picks, which are now set. Picking No. 13 overall are the Philadelphia Eagles, and they're a team going through change as they find a new head coach. Regardless of who the man replacing Chip Kelly ends up being, Philly needs help defensively. That's why they should not hesitate taking Alabama DT Jarran Reed if he's on the board still.
Currently, the Eagles are reportedly closing in on a deal to appoint Kansas City Chiefs OC Doug Pederson the new head coach. He seems to be a coach who knows how to adapt to his personnel with his system and philosophies, as he has kept the Chiefs offense going even without Jamaal Charles during an 11-game win streak that has them in the Divisional Round of the playoffs. But being on a team like the Chiefs, he certainly understands what makes a team successful. It starts with work in the trenches, and something the Eagles are struggling with is winning the battle at the line defensively.
Running a 3-4 the past few seasons, that likely wouldn't change under Pederson. The nose tackle is one of the most key positions in that scheme, and while Bennie Logan wasn't bad, he doesn't have the size necessary to take up space and shut down the run game.
Philadelphia was the worst team against the run in the NFL last year, giving up over 134 yards per game.
Fixing that issue is a crucial starting place for the Eagles to start building the defense back up. Reed is a force up front, and has the size at 6-foot-3, 315 pounds with massive thighs and upper body that commanded double teams all year for Alabama.
The two-year starter is extremely disciplined. He knows his role and plays it well every play. Reed isn't a great pass rusher (just two sacks at Bama), but he still takes up blockers and is smart enough to look to get in the passing lanes if he knows he won't get to the quarterback.
Having a combo of Fletcher Cox and Reed on the defensive line could potentially be a dominant duo for a long time. It's exactly what this Eagles defense needs to start moving in the right direction and back toward respectability, which has been gone since the days of Brian Dawkins.
