2022 NFL Draft: NFC East Grades
The 2022 NFL Draft has come and gone.
An epic weekend in Las Vegas played host to one of the most unpredictable drafts in recent history.
Shocks were aplenty, prospects fell, and dreams came true as all 32 teams tried to bolster their squads with new blood.
The adage is to analyze a draft class in three years. However, the annual churn of NFL squads makes it difficult.
And as soon as Iowa quarterback Brock Purdy was announced as this year’s Mr. Irrelevant, all eyes turned to dissect the draft classes.
Therefore, the immediate aftermath is a good time to break down the various draft classes around the league.
After reviewing the NFC North, we now shift to the historic NFC East.
Dallas Cowboys
Draft Class: Tyler Smith, Sam Williams, Jalen Tolbert, Jake Ferguson, Matt Waletzko, DaRon Bland, Damone Clark, John Ridgeway, and Devin Harper
The Dallas Cowboys found themselves in a tough spot on day one.
They didn’t have many prospects graded as first-rounders, and picking in the 20s guaranteed that Jerry Jones’ team would miss out on one of their highly-graded players.
Ultimately, they plumped for the Tulsa offensive lineman Tyler Smith. Smith became a trendy name as the draft process evolved, and the Cowboys got an aggressive run-blocker for an offensive line in need of new blood.
However, images later revealed that the Cowboys had Lewis Cine higher on their draft board. Cine was there for them to take, and Dallas chose differently.
Smith was the positional value pick, but he is very raw, and discipline is poor. It was a reach, and only time will tell if the Cowboys were correct.
Day two saw the team draft edge rusher Sam Williams and wideout Jalen Tolbert. Williams worked with Cowboys DC Dan Quinn at Ole Miss’ pro-day, and his high energy style and quick burst should translate well to the NFL stage.
Ranked 91st on PFFs big-board, Williams earnt a 90.2 pass-rushing grade in 2021. Jalen Tolbert from South Alabama looks like a brilliant move.
The Cowboys need a WR3, and Tolbert’s vertical speed and ability to stretch the field should be the perfect addition to Kellen Moore’s offense.
The Cowboys dipped into their linebacker corps as they drafted two linebackers on day three. Damone Clark was a projected day two pick before injury struck.
Nonetheless, he is a good pick. The Cowboys doubled down by selecting Devin Harper. Harper adds depth in place of Clark’s injury and is a tackling machine.
Lastly, the Cowboys drafted tight end Jake Ferguson. The big-bodied catcher is a red zone target with solid catching skills and the frame of a nasty run-blocker.
Grade: B-
The Cowboys seemingly prioritized needs over drafting the best player available. That may hinder them regarding Tyler Smith.
Nevertheless, they found solid value picks that filled holes on days two and three. In particular, Jalen Tolbert and Jake Ferguson could emerge as early stars on offense.
New York Giants
Draft Class: Kayvon Thibodeaux, Evan Neal, Wan’Dale Robinson, Joshua Ezeudu, Cor’Dale Flott, Daniel Bellinger, Dane Belton, Micah McFadden, DJ Davidson, Marcus McKethan, Darian Beavers.
The New York Giants struck gold on day one of the draft. The board dropped Kayvon Thibodeaux and Evan Neal right into Joe Schoen’s lap.
The Giants arguably got the best edge and offensive lineman without having to trade up. In baseball parlance, the Giants hit a home run.
Speedy wideout Wan’Dale Robinson headlined day two. While many analysts considered it a reach, the Giants are desperate to bolster their receiver room as they shop Kadarius Toney.
The Giants closed day two by selecting Josh Ezeudu and Cordale Flott. Expect Flott to compete for a starting role in the slot, although James Bradberry’s expected release may open a spot on the outside.
New GM Joe Schoen finished his maiden draft by adding physical football players. The defense took the majority as Micah McFadden, Dane Belton, DJ Davidson, and Darian Beavers joined Big Blue.
A special teamer, McFadden is a former team captain from Indiana with tons of aggression and athleticism. The second-team All American may well work his way into the starting lineup by December.
Grade: A
The Giants used their two top-ten picks to draft two potential All-Pro players. And they added solid depth players with potential on day three. Only the pick of Wan’Dale Robinson stops this draft from getting a higher grade. Joe Schoen had a near-perfect week.
Philadelphia Eagles
Draft Class: Jordan Davis, AJ Brown, Cam Jurgens, Nakobe Dean, Kyron Johnson, and Grant Calcaterra
Howie Roseman and the Philadelphia Eagles used their draft capital to make moves all over the board to strengthen their team. It worked as they traded up ahead of Baltimore to draft Jordan Davis.
Davis shone at the combine, and he rocketed up draft boards. The national champion from Georgia has the perfect athletic profile and skill to dominate the interior.
Davis was a no-brainer. The Eagles then swung a trade for AJ Brown from Tennessee and handed him a lucrative four-year contract. Brown is a proven commodity.
He has NFL experience and instantly improves the Eagles’ passing offense. And at 24-years-old, the Eagles are getting Brown in his prime.
The draft got even better for Philly as they got Jason Kelce’s long-term replacement, Cam Jurgens. Jurgens reminded many draft experts of a young Kelce, and his gritty attitude and excellent run-blocking fit right in with the Eagles’ offense.
Some have even suggested that Jurgens could be the best center in the draft with more refinement. The Eagles then hit the jackpot as Nakobe Dean’s bizarre fall ended in round three.
The national champion from Georgia is a long-term candidate to wear the green dot and play as a three-down linebacker.
Philly ended the draft with two depth pieces on day three, but they had done their work by then.
Grade: A+
The Eagles kept all their 2023 draft capital and added four blue-chip prospects. This team took a significant step forward over the draft weekend.
Washington Commanders
Draft Class: Jahan Dotson, Phidarian Mathis, Brian Robinson, Percy Butler, Sam Howell, Cole Turner, Chris Paul, and Christian Turner
The Washington Commanders’ draft addressed needs at various places on their roster. They traded back in round one before selecting Jahan Dotson.
Dotson is a physical receiver who excels at contested catches. On day two, Washington continued to use their Alabama talent pipeline as they drafted Phidarian Mathis and Brian Robinson.
Ron Rivera wants to build a complementary running back room, and Brian Robinson should add a change of pace alongside Antonio Gibson.
But it was on day three that Washington made their most fascinating pick. They chose quarterback Sam Howell.
Howell endured a difficult 2021 season after a great 2020 season. With Carson Wentz’s future on shaky ground, a quarterback competition could dominate headlines in training camp.
Howell is tough, with more than adequate mobility and a live arm. Do not be surprised if Howell starts games at some point.
Grade: C+
The Commanders didn’t make any massive moves that made them instantly better. However, they get a plus because of Sam Howell. If Howell shows any semblance of playing like a franchise quarterback, the Commanders got themselves a steal.
