2020 NFC East Draft Grades

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Philadelphia Eagles

First-Round Pick: Jalen Reagor-Wide Receiver-TCU

Best Pick: Jalen Reagor

Grade: C+

Jalen Reagor

Over the past two decades the Philadelphia Eagles have been one of the best teams in the National Football League in regards to drafting and developing talent. The Eagles would add to that reputation when they used their first-round selection in this year’s NFL Draft on wide receiver Jalen Reagor. Reagor is a playmaker at the wide receiver position and he will flourish in Philadelphia if Eagles head coach Doug Pederson consistently lines him up in the slot.

The Eagles raised some eyebrows in the second round when they selected quarterback Jalen Hurts. Hurts finished second in the Heisman Trophy voting last year when he played for the Oklahoma Sooners, but I don’t see him having the arm strength to get it done in the National Football League, while drafting him only opens up the Eagles to more questions to their belief in Carson Wentz at quarterback.

The Eagles didn’t find any other impact players in this draft, but they were able to add depth as they look to remain as the team to beat in the NFC East.

Dallas Cowboys

First-Round Pick-CeeDee Lamb-Wide Receiver-Oklahoma

Best Pick: CeeDee Lamb

Grade: A

The Dallas Cowboys came into the 2020 National Football League Draft knowing that they could have gone in several directions early on, and they were able to find some sizzle that will make them exciting during the upcoming season.

CeeDee Lamb

Dallas used their first-round pick on wide receiver CeeDee Lamb who is an explosive playmaker. This draft was loaded with talent at the wide receiver position, and while it was a shock to see Lamb still available when the Cowboys pick in the middle of round one, they didn’t let him get past them. At 6’2″, Lamb is a big receiver who can stretch the field, and his presence will give the Cowboys an element that they’ve lacked in recent years which is a pass catcher who can stretch the field.

Dallas would get steals in rounds two and three when they drafted cornerback Trevon Diggs and defensive tackle Neville Gallimore respectively. Both Diggs and Gallimore had the talent to being taken in the first round, but they each fell. However both Diggs and Gallimore each have the potential to come in and be immediate contributors for the Dallas defense; especially Diggs who joins a Cowboys secondary that lost Byron Jones in free agency.

The fifth round would see the Cowboys take defensive end Bradlee Anae who has an extremely high motor. And although that Anae won’t be a superstar, his energy will keep him in the Cowboys pass rush rotation.

New York Giants

First-Round Pick: Andrew Thomas-Offensive Tackle-Georgia

Best Pick: Xavier McKinney-Safety-Alabama

Grade: C-

The New York Giants came into the 2020 National Football League Draft with a chance to plug some of the holes on their team, and although that some of those needs were addressed, things could have been much better for them.

The Giants came into the draft in possession of the fourth overall pick which they could have used to take a quality player, however they opted for offensive tackle Andrew Thomas. Thomas was not the best offensive tackle available as the Giants could have made a play on either Tristan Wirfs, Mekhi Becton, or Jedrick Wills Jr, but they opted on Thomas who lacks elite footwork which is needed for the position.

And also in selecting Thomas, the Giants passed on linebacker Isaiah Simmons who would have provided their defense with the versatile playmaker that they’ve lacked for quite some time.

Xavier McKinney

In the second round the Giants had another opportunity to address their need for a pass rusher with Yetur Gross-Matos and AJ Epenesa available, but they instead opted for safety Xavier McKinney. McKinney was the best player available at the time, but safety was not a glaring need for the Giants who could have made life for their secondary a little easier had they decided to take a pass rusher.

New York would spend the remainder of the draft attempting to upgrade their offensive line and linebacker positions, but Giants general manager Dave Gettleman missed a golden opportunity early on to find some impact players in this draft class.

Washington Redskins

First-Round Pick: Chase Young-Defensive End/Outside Linebacker-Ohio State

Best Pick: Chase Young

Grade: C

Chase Young

It was no secret that the Washington Redskins were going to use the second overall pick of the 2020 National Football League Draft on defensive end/outside linebacker Chase Young as he was the best player available heading into draft. At 6’5″, 264 lbs., Young has all of the physical attributes needed to be a quality pass rusher as he should pay immediate dividends in Washington.

However the rest of the NFL Draft was pedestrian like for Washington which means that they will more than likely be picking early in next year’s NFL Draft as well.

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