NFL Draft week has arrived, which means it’s time to look at the draft needs of our final division, the NFC East. The events of this week could shake up this division even further after an already eventful offseason.
NFC East Draft Needs
Dallas Cowboys
Notable Picks: 24, 56, 87
Draft Needs: OT, RB
After another season of getting fan’s hopes up, only to dash them to pieces in the playoffs, the Cowboys are back to the drawing board again to try and figure out what they need to create something resembling postseason success. Like most of their offense, the Cowboys’ offensive line is very thin. The inability of Dallas to establish a run game this year would indicate that the holes in the offensive line are the first issue they need to address. With the 24th pick, the best players available will most likely be Tyler Guyton or JC Latham. Either player would be a great fit with their significant Power 5 experience.
After strengthening the offensive line, the Cowboys can now worry about finding a running back to benefit from it. In a draft that isn’t too full of talented RBs, Dallas will need to find someone they can develop and help grow within their offense. USC’s MarShawn Lloyd has the explosiveness that the Cowboys lacked all last year and could get them extra yardage in the moments they need it most.
New York Giants
Notable Picks: 6, 47, 70
Draft Needs: QB, WR
With the sixth pick in this draft, the Giants should have no trouble addressing at least one of their two biggest needs. Getting a quarterback would be ideal, but even if they choose to roll the dice again with Daniel Jones in 2024, there should still be top-tier wide receiver talent to take at that spot. J.J. McCarthy seems like the most likely quarterback to be available, but they could also have Malik Nabers or Rome Odunze fall to them.
Given the injury history of Daniel Jones, solving the quarterback crisis should be their top priority. They’ll have great insurance at that position with Jones and recent signee, Drew Lock, but neither of them has franchise quarterback written all over them. If for some reason, McCarthy, Maye, and Daniels have already gone elsewhere, the Giants could take an aforementioned receiver, and they’d still leave the draft a better team than they came into it.
Philadelphia Eagles
Notable Picks: 22, 50, 53
Draft Needs: CB, LB
The Eagles seem to be going all in on being serious contenders again. After making arguably the biggest free agency signing of the offseason by luring away star running back, Saquon Barkley from their division rival New York Giants, the Eagles now turn to the draft to round out their remaining needs.
With Darius Slay turning 33 and James Bradbury coming off a dismal 2023 season, the Eagles are in need of corners that they can build their secondary around for the foreseeable future. The research team at NFL.com suggests that either Cooper DeJean or Nate Wiggins would be a perfect fit for the Eagles’ defense. These two players are perhaps the best corners in the draft, and if Philadelphia doesn’t take a corner at No. 22, there may not be a sufficient player later on.
Washington Commanders
Notable Picks: 2, 36, 40
Draft Needs: QB, OT, CB
If there were ever an opportunity for the Washington Commanders to reach a point of relevance again, it’s now. Their offseason thus far has indicated that they recognize this opportunity by signing big names like Austin Ekeler, Zach Ertz, and Bobby Wagner. The new look gives Commanders fans a lot to be excited about, but their top priority is still finding their franchise quarterback.
We’ve heard all kinds of discourse about Drake Maye, Jaden Daniels, or even J.J. McCarthy as a worthy number two pick. Each of these guys has a case, but for the team Washington already has, Drake Maye is the most sensible choice. He has the best and most accurate arm in the whole draft, and the Commanders should take advantage of this while they have weapons in their offense.
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