Thursday, May 2, 2019

NFC East Draft Grades

1. Washington Redskins - A
The Redskins killed this draft. Their first two picks were both steals, and the interior line help they secured will benefit them greatly. Finding Harmon and Moreland in the later rounds were incredible picks.
Dwayne Haskins QB - A
Haskins is the quarterback of the future in Washington, and they didn't even have to trade up to get him. Time will tell if he gets to immediately start over the likes of Case Keenum and possibly Alex Smith who is supposed to miss more time after his broken leg.
Montez Sweat OLB/DE - A
Sweat was a STEAL at 26 overall. The 'Skins, after losing pass rusher Preston Smith, add an arguably just as, if not more, talented edge defender in Sweat who will turn into one of the league's best outside linebackers.
Terry McLaurin WR - B-
McLaurin is fun to watch. He's a very fast receiver who has the ability to burn most defensive backs. The real question is if he is talented enough to make it on the field as a receiver and not just a returner.
Bryce Love RB - A-
Love was college football's best runner two years ago. After his torn ACL, he fell big time to the 'Skins who again got a major steal. Love and Guice will be able to dominate defenses as a solid one-two punch. Chris Thompson will be a viable pass-catching option as well.
Wes Martin G - B
Ross Pierschbacher C/G - B+
Pierschbacher and Martin both are brought into shore up the weak interior of this O-Line. With Haskins, Love, and Guice looking like they'll be taking over, the Redskins want to make sure they won't have to deal with pressure coming up the middle at them.
Cole Holcomb LB - B-
Kelvin Harmon WR - A-
Harmon is a very talented receiver who slipped a little bit on draft day. He reminds me of Corey Davis in tight space: somehow, he always makes an incredible catch and comes down with the ball. When contested, Harmon is one of the best 50/50 ball receivers in the class.
Jimmy Moreland CB - A-
Moreland was a solid pick, especially so late in the draft. He's an exceptional playmaker and will haul in his fair share of interceptions with some nice returns attached.
Jordan Brailford OLB - C+

2. Philadelphia Eagles - A-
Eagles made a move for the future while securing a couple of potential offensive playmakers.
Andre Dillard T - A-
Dillard is an excellent offensive tackle who will learn the ropes from two of the NFL's best in Jason Peters and Lane Johnson before eventually replacing Peters at left tackle. While you usually want your first round pick to make an impact right away, Dillard has enough talent to warrant taking him here even if he won't start his rookie season.
Miles Sanders RB - B+
The Eagles filled a need with Sanders who is somewhat inexperienced as a college running back, but he does have a lot of potential. While Sanders isn't the best runner in this class, the Eagles could have done much worse.
JJ Arcega-Whiteside WR - B+
Arcega-Whiteside will give Philly another good red zone option beside Alshon Jefferey and Zach Ertz. With DeSean Jackson returning though, Arcega-Whiteside might be pressed to find playing time.
Shareef Miller DE - B
Miller is the second Penn State player taken by Philadelphia, and he will be looked to immediately jump into the rotation at defensive end.
Clayton Thorson QB - C+

3. Dallas Cowboys - B
The 'Boys brought in some more depth on both lines and grabbed a couple of DBs to help shore up the secondary... not too bad.
Trysten Hill DT - B
Hill is a bit of reach here in the second round after barely playing last year, but his talent shows in the tape. The defensive staff in Dallas like him, and he just adds more depth to an already well-rounded Dallas D-Line.
Connor McGovern G - B
Left guard has been an issue for Dallas ever since the departure of Ronald Leary, and McGovern will hopefully be able to either fill it or backup a promising Connor Williams.
Tony Pollard RB - B-
Pollard backed up Darrell Henderson at Memphis, but he is a great return man. His speed and size allow him to play running back and receiver and could be a Tavon Austin sort of weapon for the Cowboys offense.
Michael Jackson CB - C+
Joe Jackson DE - B
Jackson is a physical defensive end who will come in and immediately get some rotational snaps with the Cowboys. The defensive line was already one of the best in the league, and it just got better with the addition of Jackson.
Donovan Wilson S - B-
There's a big gap at safety for the Cowboys after they failed to sign Earl Thomas, and Donovan Wilson will be competing with Jeff Heath for starting snaps.
Mike Weber RB - B-
Weber is a solid pick here to help give Ezekiel Elliott his occasional break.
Jalen Jelks DE -  C+

4. New York Giants - C+
The Giants made some strange picks this draft, but they did really work on the corner position and bring in a couple other valuable pieces.
Daniel Jones QB - C+
The most disappointing pick in the NFL draft, GM Dave Gettleman opted to take Duke QB Daniel Jones at 6 instead of record setting Ohio State QB Dwayne Haskins or just waiting to 17 to take a quarterback. While Jones is a decent player, even as the 6th pick he'll be sitting for a couple years behind the washed up Eli Manning.
Dexter Lawrence DT - B+
Lawrence's big body will clog up the middle in DC James Bettcher's 3-4 defense, but the Giants seem like they already have that position covered with Damon Harrison. Lawrence's snaps will be limited as a backup, but when he's in offenses will have a hard time running the ball up the middle.
DeAndre Baker CB - B
Baker is my top rated corner in the draft, but his attitude is poor. If he can stay away from suspensions and being a cancer in the locker room, he could be a star. He is essentially an Eli Apple 2.0.
Oshane Ximines OLB - C+
Ximines was a talented pass rusher, but he lacks the size to be dominant straightaway in the NFL.
Julian Love CB - B
Love was one of the best corners in college football last year. Pairing him with DeAndre Baker could be a match made in heaven for the Giants secondary.
Ryan Connelly LB - C+
Darius Slayton WR - C
Corey Ballentine CB - B-
The Giants really went after the cornerback position, and they fared pretty well. The depth they've assembled in this draft has been a great start to re-loading their defense. Now it looks like offense is their sole problem... Good thing they'll probably be back with some high draft picks next year.
George Asafo-Adjei T - C+
Chris Slayton DT - C

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