Grading the NFL Draft is a futile exercise in and of itself. Often, we look back way down the line and see these grades were way off in trying to assess if a team did well or not. We fully recognize this, but it is still an interesting way to look at and analyze a team’s draft. Keep in mind that each team is different and has different fits that could affect the value. Today, we are grading the NFC East.
Below you will see where each player was taken in this class with my overall ranking in parenthesis.
NFC EAST DRAFT GRADES
DALLAS COWBOYS
1-24-(37)-OT-Tyler Smith-Tulsa
2-56-(112)-EDGE-Sam Williams-Mississippi
3-88-(69)-WR-Jalen Tolbert-South Alabama
4-129-(170)-TE-Jake Ferguson-Wisconsin
5-155-(114)-OT-Matt Waletzko-North Dakota
5-167-(NR)-CB-Daron Bland-Fresno State
5-176-(152)-LB-Damone Clark-LSU
5-178-(253)-DL-John Ridgeway-Arkansas
6-193-(NR)-LB-Devin Harper-Oklahoma State
The Cowboys didn’t hit it out of the park from a value perspective but overall I like how they approached the draft. Tyler Smith is an upgrade over Terrance Steele. I also believe, in time, Matt Waletzko can be a starting-level tackle. Tolbert should be able to catch 50 balls as a rookie.
GRADE: B-
NEW YORK GIANTS
1-5-(1)-EDGE-Kayvon Thibodeaux-Oregon
1-7-(3)-OT-Evan Neal-Alabama
2-43-(81)-WR-Wan’Dale Robinson-Kentucky
3-67-(NR)-G-Joshua Ezeudu-North Carolina
3-81-(172)-CB-Cordale Flott-LSU
4-112-(117)-TE-Daniel Bellinger-San Diego State
4-114-(293)-S-Dane Belton-Iowa
5-146-(166)-LB-Micah McFadden-Indiana
5-147-(233)-DL-DJ Davidson-Arizona State
5-173-(NR)-G-Marcus McKethan-North Carolina
6-182-(92)-LB-Darrian Beavers-Cincinnati
Getting the #1 & #3 overall players on my board without having to move is a pretty good start. The Giants drafted a potential all-pro in Thibodeaux and a stud right tackle in Neal. Wan’Dale Robinson and Daniel Bellinger have a chance to contribute as rookies. I thought they reached with both of their third-round picks.
GRADE: B
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
1-13-(19)-DL-Jordan Davis-Georgia
2-51-(95)-C-Cam Jurgens-Nebraska
3-83-(25)-LB-Nakobe Dean-Georgia
6-181-(181)-LB-Kyron Johnson-Kansas
6-198-(177)-TE-Grant Calcaterra-SMU
The Eagles drafted one of the potential biggest steals in the class with Nakobe Dean in the third. A list of minor injuries and concerns over size pushed him down. I wouldn’t be surprised if he contended for Defensive Rookie of the Year. Jurgens should be viewed as a long-term replacement for Jason Kelce. If they get a pass rush out of Jordan Davis then this draft class becomes an A.
GRADE: B+
WASHINGTON COMMANDERS
1-16-(47)-WR-Jahan Dotson-Penn State
2-47-(62)-DL-Phidarian Mathis-Alabama
3-98-(137)-RB-Brian Robinson-Alabama
4-113-(288)-S-Percy Butler-Louisiana
5-144-(44)-QB-Sam Howell-North Carolina
5-149-(118)-TE-Cole Turner-Nevada
7-230-(224)-G-Chris Paul-Tulsa
7-240-(NR)-CB-Christian Holmes-Oklahoma State
The Commanders didn’t do a great job with value in this class. They did hit their needs well. Washington needed a receiver to pair with Terry McLaurin. Once the run started they had to jump on Dotson. They hit the Alabama well, twice. I like the selection of Sam Howell in the 5th. However, if he ends up contributing anything other than quality backup snaps, he will have to be an outlier.
GRADE: C
Next up, I will look at the NFC West!