NFC East NFL Draft Overview

With the conclusion of the NFL draft we now find ourselves analyzing these classes for each respective team. In this article I will talk about the draft classes from the NFC East. These grades are on my personal analysis of the prospects and how I view them as a scheme fit for there team currently and for the future.

New York Giants

Draft pick Evan Neal takes the stage after being selected 7th overall by New York. (New York Post)

The Giants came into this draft with uncertainty on what they would use there number 5 and 7 picks on. Prior to the draft it became more and more likely New York would select a cornerback with one of there selections. But with Derek Stingley and Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner going in the top 4 picks. With the 2 corners off the board the Giants took arguably the top Edge Rusher in the draft with Kayvon Thibodeaux out of Oregon. Thibodeaux now gives New York a permanent starter at edge opposite Azeez Ojulari, who they selected in the 2nd round of last years draft. Then with Pick 7, they picked up another potential superstar with Alabama tackle Evan Neal. Neal was my top ranked tackle, because he brings the Giants someone who they can just stick at that right tackle spot for the next decade and be able to hammer out some of there other needs. In day 2, the Giants traded down with the Jets in which they then selected Wandale Robinson, the explosive receiver from Kentucky. The selection of Robinson puts the future of Kadarious Toney in doubt even more than it already was. Regardless of if Toney is on the move, Wandale will bring some versatility to this offense he can be used down the field or as a gadget guy giving whoever there QB of the future is, a target that should be reliable. In the third they selected both Joshua Ezeudo, guard from North Carolina and Cordale Flott. Most people think Josh was a reach but personally I liked the pick and think he can be a very good offensive guard and help turnaround that offensive line full time. And Flott gives there defense some needed versatility as he can play safety and nickel consistently. In my opinion the Giants knocked the first 2 days out of the park but there day 3 was a bit underwhelming as I don’t think they were able to get sufficient value for there picks. Although I believe Micah McFadden out of Indiana was a diamond in the rough at pick 146 and I believe he could make an early impact on that defense at linebacker. The Giants were able to hammer out some out of there needs while getting high upside players who should make an early impact. 

Overall grade: A-

Philadelphia Eagles 

Jordan Davis takes the stage after the Eagles select him with the 13th pick. (Philadelphia Inquirer)

The Eagles made moves to try and put them in contention. In the 1st round, they traded up 2 spots to select Georgia defensive tackle Jordan Davis. Davis was thought to be the best interior defensive lineman in the draft and will most likely be a contributor right away as he will be an elite run defender from day 1. If Davis can improve his conditioning and stay on the field for more snaps he will be a top of the line D-Tackle. The eagles then traded pick 18 and a 3rd round pick for receiver AJ Brown. This trade gives them an elite pass catcher for 3rd year QB Jalen Hurts to go opposite former 1st round pick Devonta Smith. Philly immediately rewarded Brown with a 4 year Contract Extension worth 100 million dollars making him one of the top paid receivers in football. In round 2 Philly had Cam Jurgens Center from Nebraska fall into there laps. Jurgens projects as the Jason Kelce replacement and he has many similarities to Kelce as a small center and if he ends up being anywhere near as good as Kelce it will have been a good return on there investment.Some would then say they got the steal of the draft with Georgia Linebacker with pick 83 in the 3rd round.  Dean fell due to uncertainty of his pectoral injury and for a team like Philly who has had very underwhelming linebacker play for quite some time now there was no good reason to not take this chance. If Dean can bounce back from this injury Philly could potentially be getting one of the top off ball linebackers in the league. They only had 2 more picks in this draft that they used on Kyron Johnson from Kansas and Grant Calcaterra TE from SMU. Calcaterra was viewed as a potential day 2 pick when he was at Oklahoma a couple years back and the eagles are getting a nice depth piece that can sit behind Dallas Goedart.

Overall Grade: A

Washington Commanders 

Commanders first round pick Jahan Dotson (left) and Head Coach Ron Rivera. (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Ron Rivera is quietly on the Hot seat and he and GM Martin Mayhew decided to play it safe and go for players with high floors that should be early contributors.Washington’s first move or the night was to move back in the 1st round with New Orleans by the end of the draft they had accumulated an extra 3 picks for moving down 5 spots, they used pick 16 on Penn State receiver Jahan Dotson who seems like a reach to most people but for what Washington was looking for which was a receiver with a big catch radius who can make plays as a Z receiver or in the slot I think it’s a fine pick. On day 2 Washington picked Phidarian Mathis a defensive tackle from Alabama which on the surface could seem like a waste of a pick but with the loss of Matt Ioannidis and Tim Settle along with the rumors that Daron Payne will not be extended this was a pick that was very necessary. They then selected Brian Robinson Jr the running back from Alabama who will give Washington a different style of play he’ll most likely be the guy they try and involve on short yardage downs like they did with Peyton Barber 2 seasons ago which is something they didn’t have this year. And as for day 3 or rounds 4-7 I believe Washington may have had one of the best days as they got a lot of very good value. Percy Butler from Louisiana Lafayette gives them versatility at the Safety position and at worst a top of the line gunner on special teams alongside Troy Apke. They then traded down for 2 5th round picks to select Sam Howell from North Carolina who some people thought was a top 3 quarterback in the draft as they pair him back up with wide receiver Dyami Brown. He can now sit behind Carson Wentz and Taylor Heinicke to potentially be a starter one day. They also took the big body 6’6 Tight End Cole Turner who helps them find more guys with a big catch radius. They were also able to draft Chris Paul in the 7th which was 2 rounds later than I had expected him to go.

Overall grade: B

Dallas Cowboys 

First round pick Tyler Smith attends a press conference with Cowboys owner Jerry Jones (right) (Dallas Morning News

The Dallas Cowboys did not exactly have an ideal offseason after there disappointing playoff loss to San Francisco, losing Randy Gregory last second to Denver along with both Cedrick Wilson and Connor Williams heading to south beach to play for the Dolphins. And then the team waived long time right tackle Lael Collins along with trading star receiver Amari Cooper to Cleveland. Dallas needed a good draft and I’d say they got one if these players can meet there potentials as in the first 2 days Dallas stockpiled on players with huge upsides. Dallas started there draft by getting Tyler Smith the offensive tackle from Tulsa who is the best example of a boom or bust at the position, he could be an immediate starter at right tackle replacing Collins or he could need some time to truly learn how to play the position at the next level which could cost the team in the short term but regardless he should be there for a long time. They tried replacing Gregory in round 2 with Sam Williams from Ole Miss. once again a huge boom or bust prospect as Williams is a great athlete but still has a lot to learn about playing the position. I would not project him to make a huge impact early but if he does then get ready because Dallas will most likely be in line for a second straight divisional title. In the 3rd Dallas scooped up Jalen Tolbert the versatile receiver from South Alabama. With the losses of Cooper and Wilson you could see Tolbert make an early impact potentially in the slot. On day 3 Dallas mafe much needed depth selections with Jake Ferguson from Wisconsin to be a 2nd or 3rd strong Tight End. Dallas also made strides to improve there linebacker core selecting Damone Clark from LSU and Devin Harper from Oklahoma State who could help make complete the Dam Quinn defense. 

Overall Grade: B

All these teams mafe big strides in the draft to compete for the division as although Dallas won It pretty effortlessly last season in my opinion it could really go anyways as I feel like Philly and Washington both improved and will make a nice push. I feel like New York is still a bit young but they made a lot of good additions through the draft so if Daniel Jones takes a step forward they will be a competitive team making it a very tight race for a wild card apot