NFC East: NFL draft reports
For Sporting News
A quick look at the NFC East teams' drafts:
DALLAS COWBOYS
Draft dish: Jerry Jones considered the 2008 dra•ft a "now" draft• because his team needed players who could immediately help win a championship. Felix Jones, one of the best big-play performers available, will complement slashing RB Marion Barber and give the Cowboys quick-strike ability. They plan on getting Jones the ball in a variety of ways, such as on reverses and screen passes, plus he also is a terrific kick returner. The team shored up its secondary -- a weak spot last year -- by trading fifth- and seventh-round picks to move up and get CB Mike Jenkins. The Cowboys believe he's ready to play immediately. The team didn't dra•ft Martellus Bennett to back up TE Jason Witten. It wants him to be a factor this year in the running game and in the red zone offense.
Unfinished business: Still lacking a No. 1-caliber receiver to pair with Terrell Owens, the team would trade for Cincinnati's Chad Johnson, Detroit's Roy Williams or Arizona's Anquan Boldin, but none of those teams has said it wants to deal its star receiver. If Johnson doesn't report to camp, don't be surprised if the Cowboys turn up the heat on Cincinnati as the season gets closer. --Jean-Jacques Taylor
More: Pick-by-pick analysis | Team page
NEW YORK GIANTS
Draft dish: The Giants' priority was to strengthen their secondary, and they did exactly that. Kenny Phillips was rated the best safety on the board and is expected to challenge for the team's starting free safety spot. CB Terrell Thomas adds big-school experience. WR Mario Manningham should immediately challenge for playing time and also could be a factor as a punt returner. He has off-the-field issues, but the Giants feel they have a strong group of leaders who can help ease his transition. The selection of QB Andre' Woodson was not a great surprise; the team has wanted for a while to bring in a young quarterback to groom in its system. With some of their most important special teams players lost in free agency, the Giants needed to fortify their coverage units and did so with the addition of LBs Bryan Kehl and Jonathan Goff.
Unfinished business: The only area the Giants absolutely had to improve was their defensive backfield, which they did. Surprisingly, though, the team did not draft an offensive lineman. If the Giants are not certain that David Diehl is their left tackle of the future, they need to find a legitimate prospect at the position. The team also has not addressed its depth at defensive tackle. Otherwise, it is in solid shape. --Paul Schwartz
More: Pick-by-pick analysis | Team page
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
Draft dish: When coach Andy Reid couldn't complete a trade to move up for OL Branden Albert, he dealt the team's first-round selection to Carolina for three picks, one of them a first-rounder in 2009. The team drafted 10 players -- it also acquired second-year RB Lorenzo Booker from the Dolphins -- but didn't signi•ficantly improve the roster for 2008, except on special teams. WR DeSean Jackson gives the Eagles the prolific returner they desperately needed. DT Trevor Laws is a Mike Patterson clone, a high-motor player who can generate pressure inside. Bryan Smith is an undersized end who projects as a pass-rush specialist. The most curious selection was CB Jack Ikegwuonu, who suffered a major knee injury preparing for the Combine and is expected to miss the 2008 season.
Unfinished business: Jackson has potential, but the team still lacks the dynamic playmaker at wide receiver that QB Donovan McNabb had lobbied for. It also has an unsettled situation with disgruntled CB Lito Sheppard. After not taking an offensive tackle early, the team will have to turn to Winston Justice if LT Tra Thomas or RT Jon Runyan is injured. Justice played poorly in limited action last season. --Geoff Mosher
More: Pick-by-pick analysis | Team page
WASHINGTON REDSKINS
Draft dish: The Redskins were searching for a big wide receiver and found two. They were looking for depth on the offensive line and got a guy who can play three positions. They were targeting cornerbacks/special teams contributors and found those, too. Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly should solve the need for a big receiver who can play on the outside and provide a target in the red zone. Thomas also has the speed to get deep. Kelly's 40 time isn't great, but he has the burst off the line to be an effective possession guy. Fred Davis is a playmaker but must improve his blocking to play consistently in the two-tight end packages. Chad Rinehart has the size to play right tackle and might be versatile enough to play guard and back up at center. CB Justin Tryon is small (5-9, 190) but has a good feel for the game and can help as a returner.
Unfinished business: The team would like to add a pass-rushing end on the left side to complement RE Andre Carter, who had 10 1/2 sacks last season. LE Phillip Daniels is a solid player, but he's 35. OLB Rocky McIntosh has a history of knee problems, and the team must find a backup who has the ability to start. --Paul Woody
More: Pick-by-pick analysis | Team page
A quick look at the NFC East teams' drafts:
DALLAS COWBOYS
Draft dish: Jerry Jones considered the 2008 dra•ft a "now" draft• because his team needed players who could immediately help win a championship. Felix Jones, one of the best big-play performers available, will complement slashing RB Marion Barber and give the Cowboys quick-strike ability. They plan on getting Jones the ball in a variety of ways, such as on reverses and screen passes, plus he also is a terrific kick returner. The team shored up its secondary -- a weak spot last year -- by trading fifth- and seventh-round picks to move up and get CB Mike Jenkins. The Cowboys believe he's ready to play immediately. The team didn't dra•ft Martellus Bennett to back up TE Jason Witten. It wants him to be a factor this year in the running game and in the red zone offense.
Unfinished business: Still lacking a No. 1-caliber receiver to pair with Terrell Owens, the team would trade for Cincinnati's Chad Johnson, Detroit's Roy Williams or Arizona's Anquan Boldin, but none of those teams has said it wants to deal its star receiver. If Johnson doesn't report to camp, don't be surprised if the Cowboys turn up the heat on Cincinnati as the season gets closer. --Jean-Jacques Taylor
More: Pick-by-pick analysis | Team page
NEW YORK GIANTS
Draft dish: The Giants' priority was to strengthen their secondary, and they did exactly that. Kenny Phillips was rated the best safety on the board and is expected to challenge for the team's starting free safety spot. CB Terrell Thomas adds big-school experience. WR Mario Manningham should immediately challenge for playing time and also could be a factor as a punt returner. He has off-the-field issues, but the Giants feel they have a strong group of leaders who can help ease his transition. The selection of QB Andre' Woodson was not a great surprise; the team has wanted for a while to bring in a young quarterback to groom in its system. With some of their most important special teams players lost in free agency, the Giants needed to fortify their coverage units and did so with the addition of LBs Bryan Kehl and Jonathan Goff.
Unfinished business: The only area the Giants absolutely had to improve was their defensive backfield, which they did. Surprisingly, though, the team did not draft an offensive lineman. If the Giants are not certain that David Diehl is their left tackle of the future, they need to find a legitimate prospect at the position. The team also has not addressed its depth at defensive tackle. Otherwise, it is in solid shape. --Paul Schwartz
More: Pick-by-pick analysis | Team page
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
Draft dish: When coach Andy Reid couldn't complete a trade to move up for OL Branden Albert, he dealt the team's first-round selection to Carolina for three picks, one of them a first-rounder in 2009. The team drafted 10 players -- it also acquired second-year RB Lorenzo Booker from the Dolphins -- but didn't signi•ficantly improve the roster for 2008, except on special teams. WR DeSean Jackson gives the Eagles the prolific returner they desperately needed. DT Trevor Laws is a Mike Patterson clone, a high-motor player who can generate pressure inside. Bryan Smith is an undersized end who projects as a pass-rush specialist. The most curious selection was CB Jack Ikegwuonu, who suffered a major knee injury preparing for the Combine and is expected to miss the 2008 season.
Unfinished business: Jackson has potential, but the team still lacks the dynamic playmaker at wide receiver that QB Donovan McNabb had lobbied for. It also has an unsettled situation with disgruntled CB Lito Sheppard. After not taking an offensive tackle early, the team will have to turn to Winston Justice if LT Tra Thomas or RT Jon Runyan is injured. Justice played poorly in limited action last season. --Geoff Mosher
More: Pick-by-pick analysis | Team page
WASHINGTON REDSKINS
Draft dish: The Redskins were searching for a big wide receiver and found two. They were looking for depth on the offensive line and got a guy who can play three positions. They were targeting cornerbacks/special teams contributors and found those, too. Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly should solve the need for a big receiver who can play on the outside and provide a target in the red zone. Thomas also has the speed to get deep. Kelly's 40 time isn't great, but he has the burst off the line to be an effective possession guy. Fred Davis is a playmaker but must improve his blocking to play consistently in the two-tight end packages. Chad Rinehart has the size to play right tackle and might be versatile enough to play guard and back up at center. CB Justin Tryon is small (5-9, 190) but has a good feel for the game and can help as a returner.
Unfinished business: The team would like to add a pass-rushing end on the left side to complement RE Andre Carter, who had 10 1/2 sacks last season. LE Phillip Daniels is a solid player, but he's 35. OLB Rocky McIntosh has a history of knee problems, and the team must find a backup who has the ability to start. --Paul Woody
More: Pick-by-pick analysis | Team page
posted by The Gryphon at 8:17 PM
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