2018 NFC East Draft Grades

Philadelphia Eagles

Grade: C

First-Round Pick: N/A

Best Pick: Round Four-Josh Sweat-Defensive End-Florida State

The 2018 National Football League Draft was an interesting one for the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles came into the draft with not that many needs as it was more about adding depth. The Eagles traded their first-round pick to the Baltimore Ravens, but even with that they were not too active during the three days in Arlington.

The Eagles first selection didn’t come until the 49th overall pick when they pegged tight end Dallas Goedert. The Eagles made a trade with the Indianapolis Colts to move ahead of the Dallas Cowboys who were looking for a tight end as there was some gamesmanship going on at the National Football League Draft between the bitter division rivals.

However the Eagles best selection came in the fourth round when they tabbed former Florida State Seminoles defensive end Josh Sweat. Sweat came to Florida State with high expectations as he was an Under Armour All-American, but he never was able to live up to the hype. And when there was a coaching change made at Florida State after last season, Sweat decided to leave school early.

Sweat won’t be a starter for the Eagles this season, but the winning culture in Philadelphia, along with the depth on the defensive line could motivate him to work hard in order to earn playing time and contribute.

The Eagles were one of the few teams that came into the draft process without a ton of needs, and thus they might be able to get away with having a subpar draft class.

Dallas Cowboys

Grade: A

First-Round Pick: Leighton Vander Esch-Outside Linebacker-Boise State

Best Pick: Round Two-Connor Willians-Guard/Offensive Tackle-Texas

For the first time franchise history, the Dallas Cowboys hosted the National Football League Draft, and aside from putting on a show for the people in North Texas, they also took care of the most important business which was to come away with a quality draft class.

I expected the Cowboys to address their defensive needs in the first round and with defensive tackles Vita Vea and Da’Ron Payne having already been selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Washington Redskins respectively, Dallas focused on addressing their needs at linebacker.

The Cowboys used a first-round pick on former Boise State Broncos outside linebacker Leighton Vander Esch and I am not sure that even they know what they are getting. Vander Esch joins the Cowboys fresh off of being named as the Mountain West Conference’s Defensive Player of the Year for 2017. You’ll never accuse Vander Esch of loafing as he plays with a very high motor, while he will tackle everything in sight as the Cowboys linebacking core got much better in a matter of minutes.

Cowboys owner/team president/general manager Jerry Jones knows that in order to win in the National Football League, you need to have a solid offensive line. Jones used his second-round choice on former Texas Longhorns guard/offensive tackle. Connor Williams. Williams will be a starter for the Cowboys this season as Dallas looks to get back to having the effective running game that helped them win the NFC East in 2016.

The third round saw the Cowboys select former Colorado State Rams wide receiver Michael Gallup. The Cowboys recently cut longtime wide receiver Dez Bryant and they needed a burst of speed at the wide receiver position which they’ll receive from Gallup.

Jones was not thrilled when the Cowboys took a step back last season and missed the playoffs as this draft class could go a long way to remedy that.

Washington Redskins

Grade: B+

First-Round Pick: Da’Ron Payne-Defensive Tackle-Alabama

Best Pick: Round Two-Derrius Guice-Running Back-LSU

After a third place finish in the NFC East last year, it was very important for the Washington Redskins to have a solid draft. The Redskins were dead last in the National Football League last season versus the run which led to team president Bruce Allen using a first-round pick on former Alabama Crimson Tide defensive tackle Da’Ron Payne. At 6’2″, 311 lbs., Payne is extremely athletic, while he also has the ability to line up at different spots on the defensive line.

The talent of running back Derrius Guice was good enough for him to be selected in the first round, but questions about his character led to him falling into the second round. Guice was one of the most elusive ball carriers in this year’s draft, and he could be a sleeper to be the National Football League’s Offensive Rookie of the Year if he’s motivated to prove the naysayers wrong who passed on him.

The fifth round saw the Redskins get one of the steals of the draft when they selected former Virginia Tech Hokies defensive tackle Tim Settle. Settle was good enough to be selected in the second or third round, but he fell, and thus Washington gets a gift. Settle checks in at nearly 6’3″, while he weighs 329 lbs. Settle is good enough to start for the Redskins this year as he is the prototypical nose tackle for a 3-4 defensive scheme which Washington runs. And if Settle is able to consistently command a double team, it could open up the Redskins linebackers to wreak havoc.

Four of the last five years have seen the Redskins fail to make the playoffs, but this draft could help to reverse those fortunes.

New York Giants

Grade: A-

First-Round Pick: Saquon Barkley-Running Back-Penn State

Best Pick: Saqoun Barkley

The New York Giants made the most of their six picks at the 2018 National Football League Draft as they filled some of their needs and also got value. Giants general manager Dave Gettleman made it no secret that he wanted running back Saquon Barkley and with Big Blue owning the second overall pick in the draft, it didn’t take them that long to get their guy. Barkley gives the Giants a play maker at the running back position which is something that they’ve lacked for years, and as a rookie he could have the kind of impact for New York that running back Ezekiel Elliot had as a rookie in 2016 for the Dallas Cowboys.

Gettleman has been hell bent on fixing the Giants offensive line, and with the second pick of the second round, he selected guard Will Hernandez. Hernandez had first-round talent, but just like it was for Barkley, Gettleman pounced on getting the player that he wanted. Like the running game for the Giants, their offensive line has been in shambles in recent years which is something that Gettleman has vowed to fix as a road plower in Hernandez changes things for them.

The third round saw the Giants select former Georgia Bulldogs defensive end/outside linebacker Lorenzo Carter. The Giants are switching to a 3-4 defense for the upcoming season and they need edge rushers that can fit the system. Carter checks in close to 6’5″, while he weighs 250 lbs., and his athleticism will be a breath of fresh air to the Giants pass rush.

As the Giants are looking to turn things around after enduring one of the worst seasons in franchise history, this draft class could become the bedrock of good things to come.