NFC East Focus: Draft Buzz
Sporting News correspondents
Each week, Sporting News correspondents provide insight and analysis on every NFL team. Here's a look at the draft buzz surrounding all the teams in the NFC East.
East Division
Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys will be looking for a wide receiver, running back and cornerback with their first three picks in the draft. There has been a lot of talk about the Cowboys trading up with Miami to grab the No.1 pick in the draft, but that seems hard to fathom because the Cowboys' two first-round picks are both in the 20s -- and it's going to take considerably more than that to get the first overall pick. The Cowboys love Darren McFadden, but this is an excellent draft for running backs and the Cowboys could easily stay and grab a runner like Illinois' Rashard Mendenhall, Oregon's Jonathan Stewart or Arkansas' Felix Jones. Dallas will probably wait until the second round to grab a cornerback because that's where the best value will be based on where they're picking.
New York Giants
Picking 31st, the Giants probably can't zero in on a specific player for the first round, but the team probably will try to add depth to its secondary. Teams rarely use high picks on safeties, but the Giants might, as strong safety James Butler did not make a big impact in his first year as a starter. It's also possible that Gibril Wilson, the starting free safety and an unrestricted free agent, will sign with another team. At cornerback, the Giants have renewed hope in Corey Webster, who was benched during his third season but came back strong in the playoffs. The Giants again believe he can team with Aaron Ross to form a pair of lock-down corners. Still, with the aging Sam Madison and R.W. McQuarters, the team might want to add another corner.
Philadelphia Eagles
Coach Andy Reid rarely drafts for immediate needs, so don't expect the club to take a wide receiver or safety early. More likely, Reid will look to fortify the offensive tackle position to prepare for the day when starters Jon Runyan and William Thomas can no longer hold up, especially because 2006 second-round pick Winston Justice has failed to prove himself as a reliable option for the future. If the Eagles can't hit the jackpot on a defensive end in free agency, Reid could also use the draft to address that position. The defense also needs help at cornerback; the team has been decimated by injuries at that position the past two seasons and needs to improve depth. The Eagles are in desperate need of help in the return game, so look for the club to grab an experienced returner, probably in the later rounds. The team has at least eight picks, which will give Reid plenty of flexibility to swing a trade. The Eagles have traded up or down in each of the past five drafts.
Washington Redskins
With the 21st pick in the first round, the Redskins will have a hard time singling out a specific player to draft. Instead, it will need to have three or four players it is willing to pick at that spot. With Jim Zorn arriving, particular emphasis should be placed on finding a No.3 wide receiver. If Zorn wants to run three-wide receiver packages, the team needs someone who can line up on the outside and permit WRs Santana Moss or Antwaan Randle El to move into the slot. Two such receivers are Andre Caldwell from Florida, who should be available at 21, and DeSean Jackson, from California, who might not be available when the Redskins pick. A wise choice in the second round could be John Greco, a guard from Toledo. Greco is a tough, competitive blocker who could be shifted to right tackle in an emergency.
Each week, Sporting News correspondents provide insight and analysis on every NFL team. Here's a look at the draft buzz surrounding all the teams in the NFC East.
East Division
Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys will be looking for a wide receiver, running back and cornerback with their first three picks in the draft. There has been a lot of talk about the Cowboys trading up with Miami to grab the No.1 pick in the draft, but that seems hard to fathom because the Cowboys' two first-round picks are both in the 20s -- and it's going to take considerably more than that to get the first overall pick. The Cowboys love Darren McFadden, but this is an excellent draft for running backs and the Cowboys could easily stay and grab a runner like Illinois' Rashard Mendenhall, Oregon's Jonathan Stewart or Arkansas' Felix Jones. Dallas will probably wait until the second round to grab a cornerback because that's where the best value will be based on where they're picking.
New York Giants
Picking 31st, the Giants probably can't zero in on a specific player for the first round, but the team probably will try to add depth to its secondary. Teams rarely use high picks on safeties, but the Giants might, as strong safety James Butler did not make a big impact in his first year as a starter. It's also possible that Gibril Wilson, the starting free safety and an unrestricted free agent, will sign with another team. At cornerback, the Giants have renewed hope in Corey Webster, who was benched during his third season but came back strong in the playoffs. The Giants again believe he can team with Aaron Ross to form a pair of lock-down corners. Still, with the aging Sam Madison and R.W. McQuarters, the team might want to add another corner.
Philadelphia Eagles
Coach Andy Reid rarely drafts for immediate needs, so don't expect the club to take a wide receiver or safety early. More likely, Reid will look to fortify the offensive tackle position to prepare for the day when starters Jon Runyan and William Thomas can no longer hold up, especially because 2006 second-round pick Winston Justice has failed to prove himself as a reliable option for the future. If the Eagles can't hit the jackpot on a defensive end in free agency, Reid could also use the draft to address that position. The defense also needs help at cornerback; the team has been decimated by injuries at that position the past two seasons and needs to improve depth. The Eagles are in desperate need of help in the return game, so look for the club to grab an experienced returner, probably in the later rounds. The team has at least eight picks, which will give Reid plenty of flexibility to swing a trade. The Eagles have traded up or down in each of the past five drafts.
Washington Redskins
With the 21st pick in the first round, the Redskins will have a hard time singling out a specific player to draft. Instead, it will need to have three or four players it is willing to pick at that spot. With Jim Zorn arriving, particular emphasis should be placed on finding a No.3 wide receiver. If Zorn wants to run three-wide receiver packages, the team needs someone who can line up on the outside and permit WRs Santana Moss or Antwaan Randle El to move into the slot. Two such receivers are Andre Caldwell from Florida, who should be available at 21, and DeSean Jackson, from California, who might not be available when the Redskins pick. A wise choice in the second round could be John Greco, a guard from Toledo. Greco is a tough, competitive blocker who could be shifted to right tackle in an emergency.
posted by The Gryphon at 10:58 AM
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