ESPN Insider Todd McShay on NFC East
Giants
Work to do: Aaron Ross was a good value in the first round, as he should become a good No. 2 cornerback, and should also provide an upgrade in the return game. WR Steve Smith was an even better pick in Round 2. However, the Giants' failure to address their need at offensive tackle is puzzling. Joe Staley (49ers) would have been an excellent solution at pick No. 20 overall. At the very least, the team should have used its third-round selection on an offensive tackle such as Mario Henderson (Raiders) or Doug Free (Cowboys), instead of reaching for DT Jay Alford. Now the Giants could be stuck with David Diehl playing out of position at left tackle, which isn't the best way to protect their investment in QB Eli Manning.
Eagles
Work to do: QB Kevin Kolb is a great fit for coach Andy Reid's system. He has adequate size, good mobility and excellent accuracy as a passer. Bringing him in now will give the Eagles' staff the necessary time to work with Kolb, who is accustomed to the shotgun-spread system he's been playing dating back to high school.
The only problem I have with this pick is the Eagles didn't need to take Kolb that high. They could have used pick No. 36 overall on CB Chris Houston, who is the best press-cover corner in this year's class, and still taken Kolb at No. 57 overall. While the Eagles are fortunate enough not to have any glaring holes on their roster, they still could have used some help in the secondary.
DE Victor Abiamiri, OLB Stewart Bradley and RB Tony Hunt were all fine selections who should contribute immediately, but Philadelphia drafted its first defensive back in the fifth round (C.J. Gaddis). Neither Gaddis nor Rashad Barksdale (sixth round) should be expected to contribute much on defense, which means the team remains thin in the secondary.
Cowboys
Work to do: It is hard to find fault with the Cowboys' decision-making on Day 1. They traded out of the first round and should wind up with a significantly higher first-round pick from the Browns a year from now, then traded back into Round 1 to land DE/OLB Anthony Spencer. He should wreak havoc opposite OLB James Marten and Doug Free), quarterback (Isaiah Stanback), place-kicker (Nick Folk) and fullback (Deon Anderson).
The downside to the early maneuvering is the team failed to improve its situation at cornerback. Anthony Henry has lost a step with age and his inability to hold his own on an island opposite Terence Newman limits the Cowboys defensively. Dallas should also be on the lookout for younger depth at wide receiver behind Terrell Owens, Terry Glenn and Patrick Crayton, and safety behind Roy Williams, Ken Hamlin and Pat Watkins.
Skins
Work to do: The Redskins did the right thing by resisting the temptation to reach for a need with the sixth overall pick. They took the best available defensive prospect in DS LaRon Landry. Unfortunately, the Redskins had previously traded away their draft picks in the next three rounds. When they finally came back on the clock at No. 143 overall (fifth round), it was too late to put a dent in any of their pressing needs.
The three biggest problem areas are defensive end, defensive tackle and offensive guard. The team has done nothing personnelwise to upgrade a defensive front that contributed to a franchise-low 19 sacks in 2006. Washington also has done nothing to fill the void created by OG Derrick Dockery's departure. As it stands right now, Taylor Whitley is the best option at left guard -- and he's not such a great option.
Work to do: Aaron Ross was a good value in the first round, as he should become a good No. 2 cornerback, and should also provide an upgrade in the return game. WR Steve Smith was an even better pick in Round 2. However, the Giants' failure to address their need at offensive tackle is puzzling. Joe Staley (49ers) would have been an excellent solution at pick No. 20 overall. At the very least, the team should have used its third-round selection on an offensive tackle such as Mario Henderson (Raiders) or Doug Free (Cowboys), instead of reaching for DT Jay Alford. Now the Giants could be stuck with David Diehl playing out of position at left tackle, which isn't the best way to protect their investment in QB Eli Manning.
Eagles
Work to do: QB Kevin Kolb is a great fit for coach Andy Reid's system. He has adequate size, good mobility and excellent accuracy as a passer. Bringing him in now will give the Eagles' staff the necessary time to work with Kolb, who is accustomed to the shotgun-spread system he's been playing dating back to high school.
The only problem I have with this pick is the Eagles didn't need to take Kolb that high. They could have used pick No. 36 overall on CB Chris Houston, who is the best press-cover corner in this year's class, and still taken Kolb at No. 57 overall. While the Eagles are fortunate enough not to have any glaring holes on their roster, they still could have used some help in the secondary.
DE Victor Abiamiri, OLB Stewart Bradley and RB Tony Hunt were all fine selections who should contribute immediately, but Philadelphia drafted its first defensive back in the fifth round (C.J. Gaddis). Neither Gaddis nor Rashad Barksdale (sixth round) should be expected to contribute much on defense, which means the team remains thin in the secondary.
Cowboys
Work to do: It is hard to find fault with the Cowboys' decision-making on Day 1. They traded out of the first round and should wind up with a significantly higher first-round pick from the Browns a year from now, then traded back into Round 1 to land DE/OLB Anthony Spencer. He should wreak havoc opposite OLB James Marten and Doug Free), quarterback (Isaiah Stanback), place-kicker (Nick Folk) and fullback (Deon Anderson).
The downside to the early maneuvering is the team failed to improve its situation at cornerback. Anthony Henry has lost a step with age and his inability to hold his own on an island opposite Terence Newman limits the Cowboys defensively. Dallas should also be on the lookout for younger depth at wide receiver behind Terrell Owens, Terry Glenn and Patrick Crayton, and safety behind Roy Williams, Ken Hamlin and Pat Watkins.
Skins
Work to do: The Redskins did the right thing by resisting the temptation to reach for a need with the sixth overall pick. They took the best available defensive prospect in DS LaRon Landry. Unfortunately, the Redskins had previously traded away their draft picks in the next three rounds. When they finally came back on the clock at No. 143 overall (fifth round), it was too late to put a dent in any of their pressing needs.
The three biggest problem areas are defensive end, defensive tackle and offensive guard. The team has done nothing personnelwise to upgrade a defensive front that contributed to a franchise-low 19 sacks in 2006. Washington also has done nothing to fill the void created by OG Derrick Dockery's departure. As it stands right now, Taylor Whitley is the best option at left guard -- and he's not such a great option.
posted by The Gryphon at 7:08 PM
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