Eagles Rumors: Michael Brockers Would Be Perfect Fit for Philadelphia's Defense

The Philadelphia Eagles need Michael Brockers to be on the board when they make the 15th pick in the 2012 NFL Draft. 

After a disappointing 2011 season that saw the Eagles spend a ton of money on free agents only to finish 8-8, the team knows where its biggest weakness lies: up the middle on defense. 

The good news for the Eagles is this draft is loaded with talented up-the-middle defenders, but none with as much raw upside as Brockers, who was one of the most underrated players on a dominant LSU defense. 

In his latest mock draft, ESPN's Mel Kiper gives the Eagles the big defensive tackle and says that this is the route that they have to take in order to get back to the top of the conference.

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No team was softer up the middle than Philly in 2011, and in Brockers the Eagles get a big, active player who can both take up blocks and penetrate...My guess is he'll play a little lighter once he gets into camp, and the Eagles will benefit, particularly against the run. This is like a baseball team -- they need to build out the middle of the field on defense.

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While linebacker is a position of need as well, and one the team could upgrade when free agency begins on Tuesday, Brockers is a true impact player that the Eagles can plug into an area they haven't been good at for years. 

Brockers' size and natural ability to command attention on the line is going to make edge pass-rushers like Jason Babin and Trent Cole even more lethal. He gives them a true run-stopper up the middle, which is where they have been getting destroyed. 

They finished 16th in the NFL in rush yards allowed last season, and gave up at least 130 yards in seven games. That is unacceptable for a team that was supposed to be a Super Bowl contender. 

Plus, the strength that Brockers possesses will allow him to be a disruptive force in the backfield. This would be a dream scenario for the Eagles, and one that could easily play itself out on draft day. 

There is not a lot that this team has to do before competing for division titles and championships. Brockers would be the final piece of the puzzle for this team. 

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