The NFL Draft is just around the corner and for the NFC East, it’s a crucial time. All four teams are in a position of transition. It’s no longer the NFC Beast and there hasn’t been a repeat winner since 2004 when the Eagles claimed four crowns in a row. How far away is Philadelphia from repeating that feat? Here’s a quick look at how the division is poised ahead of the NFL Draft in two weeks time.
Philadelphia Eagles
Additions: OLB Haason Reddick, WR Zach Pascal, OLB Kyzir White
Losses: DT Hassan Ridgeway, DE Ryan Kerrigan (not really a loss), LB Alex Singleton, LB Genard Avery, CB Steven Nelson, S Rodney McLeod
The Eagles are perhaps the most interesting team in the division because they could quite literally do anything. Philadelphia traded away one of its three first-round picks to New Orleans and while they still have two in the tank, there’s no questioning that long-term stability is the name of the game.
With this in mind, expect the unexpected. Howie Roseman is almost destined to make a trade or two between now and the end of the NFL Draft weekend, setting the team up for more home-runs in the 2023 NFL Draft and beyond.
The Eagles spent heavy in free agency on Haason Reddick, but they fell quiet shortly after. There’s plenty of intrigue around how they’ll spend their pocket full of picks, but with the 2022 season set to be another year where gradual progress is the goal, the only aggression from Howie Roseman should come from a place of acquiring the best player available.
In terms of the here and now, the Eagles really need to find a cornerback and a safety. Those are the areas hurting the most. The rest of the holes can absolutely be plugged by players currently on the roster, or developmental talents in the NFL Draft.
Cowboys
Additions: DE Dante Fowler Jr., WR James Washington
Losses: DE Randy Gregory, TE Blake Jarwin, WR Cedrick Wilson, WR Amari Cooper, OT La’el Collins, G Connor Williams
After surrendering the Wild Card round to the 49ers, the Cowboys surrendered Amari Cooper to the Cleveland Browns. Lol.
They were in desperation mode when it came to cap space and as a result, they had to say some gut-wrenching goodbyes, most notably to Coop and veteran tackle La’el Collins. Their offense is now in dire need of reinforcements, but realistically, they’re still the best team in the East and have the best QB in the division.
Dak still has CeeDe Lamb to throw to along with a franchise tight end and an established run-game. Micah Parsons had a breakout year, and if Trevon Diggs can find out how to stop being bullied all game and picking off a pass to save the perception on his game, then their secondary is set.
The Cowboys will be looking for a guard to protect Dak and will probably exploit a very deep WR positional group. However, finding a franchise Safety could also go a long way. They’ll want instant playmakers across the board in a bid to go one step further than they were able to go in 2021.
Washington Comamnders
Additions: QB Carson Wentz, G Andrew Norwell, DE Efe Obada
Losses: G Brandon Scherff, TE Ricky Seals-Jones, G Ereck Flowers, DL Matthew Ioannidis, LB Jon Bostic, S Landon Collins
Carson Wentz revenge tour? If by revenge you mean comedy roadshow then absolutely.
Somehow, Wentz folded and ruined what was a pretty solid season. He pushed the seemingly playoff-bound Colts to miss the postseason in the most disastrous fashion possible. This led him to his third team in as many years, and back to the NFC East.
The Commanders are in a really weird spot. They have some form of identity and some really strong defensive pieces, but they’ll need more from Chase Young next year and a ton of defensive help. Scary Terry can’t do it all by himself.
Expect the Commanders to be predictably miserable yet again, and their draft to consist of ruining Philly’s fun. They’re in a perfect spot at 11 to land someone like Derek Stingley Jr, or snag Kyle Hamilton if he drops out of the top-10. Howie has all the tools to jump the gun, but will he have the conviction to?
New York Giants
Additions: G Mark Glowinski, C Jon Feliciano, G Max Garcia, QB Tyrod Taylor, RB Matt Breida, TE Ricky Seals-Jones
Losses: RB Devontae Booker, G Will Hernandez, C Billy Price, TE Kyle Rudolph, OT Nate Solder, DB Logan Ryan, LB Lorenzo Carter, LB Reggie Ragland S Jabrill Peppers, DT Austin Johnson, TE Evan Engram
The Giants are: The Giants. The roster is mid, they’ve lost a fair amount of talent this offseason, and while they have prioritized the offensive line, it’s just not a good unit yet. New York is probably the team furthest away from a divisional crown and it frankly doesn’t matter what they do in the Draft, nothing is going to change that.
However, with the fifth-overall pick, they can definitely find a difference-maker. Ickey Ekonqu could well be the guy, but it wouldn’t surprise me in the slightest to see them take an offensive tackle like Charles Cross. They need some kind of base to build on and it makes sense to find that foundation along the offensive front and look to build a sustainable core of players over the next 3 years or so.
Photo by Andy Lewis/Icon Sportswire
