Draft Review: NFC East

Draft weekend is over. It’s sad times in the lair. I guess it’s back to binging super hero movies until fantasy season picks up for us keyboard warriors. But before we go open Disney+, here’s some grades. Remember, I did an analysis of each pick of the first round already, and be sure to check out the earlier editions of the review series.

Dallas Cowboys – D+

Dallas started off with a good trade down, picking up #84 to drop from just #10 to #12. The Micah Parsons pick seemed weird at the time, and it still sort of does, but the Cowboys are declining Leighton Vander Esch’s 5th-year option. Given LVE’s injuries it does make sense to decline the option. But Dallas still has Jaylon Smith and they plan on using Keanu Neal at linebacker. I can’t find too much wrong with trading back and taking the top player on the board. But did Dallas even talk to Chicago or Washington?

I cannot believe the Cowboys took Kelvin Joseph early on in the second round. I guess I can, but it’s just such a reach especially for someone with the off-field baggage Joseph brings. Dallas then had three third rounders. First they picked Osa Odighizuwa and then Chauncey Golston. I love the Odighizuwa pick and think he has a real chance to generate interior pressure. Golston was one of the most egregious picks of the entire draft at #84, but don’t worry because Dallas then out did themselves with their last third rounder, taking Nahshon Wright at #99. I’m not sure how many outlets you’re going to find that had Wright as more than a 7th rounder let alone even with a draftable grade.

With two fourth round picks the Cowboys first took Jabril Cox and then Josh Ball. Cox in the 4th is insane value as I thought he’d be a mid Day 2 pick. He’s an athletic linebacker that has great coverage skills. However, you only need two linebackers and Dallas now has five. This is just too many resources into a low impact position, though Cox in the 4th is better value that Parsons at 12 so this just further enforces Parsons shouldn’t have been the pick. Color me surprised the Cowboys once again eschewed serious character concerns when drafting Ball. It was said on the draft’s broadcast many teams weren’t sure Ball would even get drafted because of his background.

I love Simi Kehoko and getting him in the 5th is great value. If you haven’t seen the video of Israel Mukuamu receiving the call that he got drafted, it’s worth your time:

New York Giants – B

The trade down with the Bears was fantastic, though passing on Justin Fields is just wrong. The Kadarius Toney pick itself is just weird and I don’t know that Jason Garrett is the guy to utilize him properly.

Getting Azeez Ojulari at #50 is ridiculous value. Before his knee issue became public information I mocked Ojulari to the Giants at #11 the Sunday before the draft. What makes this even better is Gettleman traded down first as well. New York dropped back from #42 to #50, picking up Miami’s 2022 third rounder in the process. This was just fantastic business by the Giants.

Gettleman then had a weird trade up in the 3rd, from #76 to #71, in order to snag slot corner Aaron Robinson. New York now runs three deep at corner which is a necessity to be competitive. The Giants then reached on Elerson Smith in the 4th but got what I believe to be a nice flyer with Roadrius Williams in the 6th.

Philadelphia Eagles – C+

I’m not as over the moon about the DeVonta Smith pick as everyone else. I don’t like trading up two spots at the price of a third rounder. I also don’t like Philadelphia passing on Justin Fields. Adding Landon Dickerson in the second is just fantastic. After a quick trade back from #70 to #73 in order to pick up #191 the Eagles took everyone’s favorite workout freak show Milton Williams.

I don’t understand taking Zech McPhearson in the 4th round and think a lot of better corners went later, some much later. I know Philadelphia didn’t end up addressing corner earlier on but when you reach at a position all that happens is you still have a need that position. Kenneth Gainwell and Marlon Tuipulotu are two of my favorite late round picks, as Gainwell is a needed receiving back to match with Miles Sanders if they let Boston Scott walk in 2022, and I think Tuipulotu should be able to stick around as a run defender.

Also, I know the owner himself said he wanted to build around Jalen Hurts for 2021 but I’m sorry, they Eagles should not have passed on Justin Fields.

Washington Football Team – C+

I am a fan of Jamin Davis but still believe he was a reach in the first round at a low impact position. Samuel Cosmi, however, is tremendous value at #51. If he went anywhere starting at #30 I wouldn’t had been surprised. Washington then tapped Benjamin St-Juste and Dyami Brown in the third round. St-Juste is everyone’s favorite long corner in this draft and Brown is one of my favorite later-on receivers. Brown’s specialty at North Carolina was catching go-balls and now he’s paired up with Ryan Fitzpatrick. Bombs away.

Washington was sort of all over the place on Day 3 but I have to give them credit for drafting in volume and I love the grabbing Dax Milne with their final pick in the 7th round. Milne was Zach Wilson’s favorite target in 2020 and I think he has a real chance to stick on a roster.

Overall Washington walked away with four good players from the first three rounds, despite the low value proposition in Davis.

filed under: NFL

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