A number of teams are making the switch to the 3-4 this offseason, which, of course, requires at least a minor overhaul of the linebacking corps. It is important for the Eagles, Saints and Browns, the three teams so far to make the switch, to find outside linebackers who can rush the passer but also cover tight ends, running backs and even slot receivers. Luckily for them, there are a number of outside linebackers that could be impact players.

Here’s a look at the top linebacker prospects in the draft:

THE TOP PROSPECTS

Drafting wide receivers and tight ends is always exciting for fans who dream about explosive offenses filled with big plays and dynamic downfield threats for years to come. This year, there are about three or four wide receivers and possibly two tight ends that could hear their names called in the first round of the draft.

Let's take a look at the top prospects at wide receiver and tight end:

THE TOP PROSPECTS

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The NFL Combine is the best and worst thing to happen to the draft process. On one hand, it gives mock drafters such as myself reasons to rank one player over another (“He ran a faster 40.” “He didn’t drop the barbell on his head during the bench press.”) On the other, it allows Mike Mamula to be drafted over Warren Sapp. The combine does go a long way in determining where a player will be drafted, if not in predicting how successful a player will be at the NFL level. It is, however, also the quickest way to lose all perspective of a player's past accomplishments amidst the haze of 40 times and bench press reps.

You can see the previous editions of our mock draft here and here. What follows is the latest mock draft that is entirely too influenced by the Combine:  

1. Kansas City Chiefs
Luke Joeckel, OT, Texas A&M
With the Chiefs’ acquisition of Alex Smith, Geno Smith is no longer the selection. Kansas City opted to use its franchise tag on entrenched starting tackle Branden Albert, but it’s not likely to preclude them from selecting Joeckel.
Previous mock: Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia

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The NFL combine is over and mock drafts around the nation have been shaken to their core. Favorites have fallen, sleepers have shone and Under Armour is already hard at work to make next year’s workout uniforms even tighter.

Here’s a look at the winners and losers of the 2013 combine:

WINNERS

It should come as no surprise how the National Football League’s Scouting Combine has swelled to the proportions that it has. With the immense interest the league generates, its television network was able to build an entire weekend’s programming around college football’s best players doing sprints and bench presses.

As such, the combine has become as much an NFL "Thing" as anything. The participants are decked out in NFL-sponsored Under Armour apparel, cameras and media members cover their every move and Mumford and Sons performed between sessions. It's just one of the latest areas of its reach the league has managed to commodify - and why not? The demand is certainly there for it. Soon enough, the Red Zone channel will be bouncing around from one team's rookie minicamp to another.

Here’s what you’ve missed so far at the NFL combine, besides a lot of spandex and Marshall Faulk’s “golf reporter” voice:

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Back in our first mock draft, a lot was still unsettled around the league. With every head coaching vacancy filled, the draft order finalized and the Senior Bowl in the past, teams are already deep into their draft preparation. As occurs with the annual coaching shuffle around the league, teams like the Eagles and Saints will be switching to a 3-4 and therefore will need to change some personnel. Likewise, some teams are considering adding a viable quarterback to their offense. It remains to be seen whether they’ll be able to find one in the first round.

While the anticipation is that some workout warriors will blow these predictions out of the water at the Combine, here’s our second stab at a 2013 NFL mock draft:

1. Kansas City Chiefs
Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia
Andy Reid and the Chiefs stay with Smith, who they hope can be Donovan McNabb 2.0. The Chiefs haven’t drafted a quarterback in the first round since 1983. Smith will be the first by being (probably) the best of a weak passing class.
Previous mock: Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia

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Join the Eagles beat writers of the Inquirer and Daily News as Chip Kelly introduces his new coaching staff at 1:30 pm from the NovaCare Complex.

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Leading up to April's NFL Draft, Andrew O'Brien will be bringing you positional breakdowns, mock drafts, and more. Here's a look at some of the top punters and kickers who could be available for the Eagles:

Special teams are largely forgotten about in the NFL Draft, but teams can find great value in a kicker or punter on the third day. With no elite prospects worth taking early and turnover among kickers and punters high around the league, it’s not worth it to many franchises to use anything more than a fifth-round pick on either of those positions. Of course, they can still find a long-term solution for their kicking and/or punting games among college football’s top prospects.

Here’s a look at the top kickers and punters:

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Leading up to April's NFL Draft, Andrew O'Brien will be bringing you positional breakdowns, mock drafts, and more. Here's a look at some of the top defensive lineman who could be available for the Eagles:

The defensive line is incredibly stacked with prospects in the 2013 NFL draft. The first round could easily see one-third of the picks be on the line, with teams able to address their needs of a pass-rushing defensive end or run-stopping nose tackle. It’s going to be a question of preference for a lot of line-needy teams: Would they rather have a huge tackle to plug the 3-4, an agile, versatile tackle or end for the 4-3 or a hybrid defensive end/rush linebacker who can terrorize quarterbacks? Luckily, they’ll have their pick from several players in each category. Some quarterback-needy teams may even try to see how well these guys can throw.

Here’s a look at the top prospects along the defensive line:

THE TOP PROSPECTS

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