Cody Stewart’s 7 Round NFC Mock Draft
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With a few days left before the draft, I decided to play GM for all four teams in the NFC East. The rules are simple, I select players I would draft if I were the GM for these teams. I have based my projections on a few big boards and my own mock draft. I don’t pass on a player, just so another team lucks up and gets better.

So without further ado, I present you, The 2016 NFC East Mock Draft.

First Round

2. Philadelphia Eagles – Carson Wentz, QB North Dakota St
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After giving up present and future picks, and having your current starting QB ask for a trade, it’s pretty clear what has to be done with this selection. Wentz was solid at North Dakota State, and looks to quiet naysayers about his lack of challenges in a DII school.

4. Dallas Cowboys – Deforest Buckner, DE Oregon
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The Cowboys need a pass rush in a bad way. With Greg Hardy not resigned and Randy Gregory struggling with off the field issues, Dallas needs to get an impact DE, that will provide pressure on the QB for the next decade plus.

Buckner broke out last season, with 10.5 sacks and 17 TFL. His long arms are an asset as he will be able to bat balls down at the line and reach around OTs to bring down a RB. He is the safest pick in this draft and will produce right away.

10. New York Giants – Ezekiel Elliott, RB Ohio State
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This is how I feel the draft will fall, and with Elliott still on the board, I’m taking him in a heartbeat if I’m Jerry Reese. The running game couldn’t get going last year because of the RBBC. With Elliott on the roster, he instantly becomes a three down back, and gets rid of any confusion in the backfield.

Elliott had back to back 1,800 yard plus seasons for Ohio State. Tack on 41 TDs in that span and you can see why he brings another dynamic to this Giants offense.

21. Washington Redskins – Karl Joseph, S West Virginia

Oct 4, 2014; Morgantown, WV, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers safety Karl Joseph (8) on the field against the Kansas Jayhawks during the first quarter at Milan Puskar Stadium. West Virginia won 33-14. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Oct 4, 2014; Morgantown, WV, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers safety Karl Joseph (8) on the field against the Kansas Jayhawks during the first quarter at Milan Puskar Stadium. West Virginia won 33-14. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports


With the DT class very deep this year, I would select Karl Joseph to go along with newly signed CB, Josh Norman. Deangelo Hall will move to Safety, but lets be honest, the Virginia Tech alum doesn’t have much left in the tank. Joseph will be able to man the secondary for Washington for years to come.

Joseph would have gone top 15 for sure had em he not been injured last year for the Mountaineers. The four year starter was still able to muster 9 INTs in his career at West Virginia to go along with a plethora of fumble recoveries.

Second Round

34. Dallas Cowboys – Derrick Henry, RB Alabama
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After deciding to pass on Ezekiel Elliott in the first round, I decided to get a bruiser in the second round for Dallas. Henry is a big man, 6’3″, 240 pounds, and behind the Great Wall of Dallas, he will flourish in this offense. Many people get wary because he’s an Alabama RB, but just know he has extremely better vision than Trent Richardson.

While he had his breakout year in his last season with Alabama, Henry will be able to produce in the NFL. The former Bama RB rushed for over 2,200 yards and 28 TDs. He’s not much of a receiving threat, but that can be taught.

40. New York Giants – William Fuller, WR Notre Dame
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Odell Beckham Jr has been the lone WR that has been consistent for New York the past two years. With Victor Cruz a question mark and Reuben Randle heading south to Philadelphia, a playmaking WR has to be selected early on in the draft.

At Notre Dame, Fuller was dominant. He was able to put together back t back 1,000 yard seasons and 29 TDs in that span. At just 6″0′ even, Fuller is primed for the outside and plays very physical.

53. Washington Redskins – Yannick Ngakoue, DE Maryland
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Still no DT selected, but as I said earlier, this draft class is loaded with them. Washington needs help up front, not just in the middle of the defensive line.

Ngakoue is a big body that can control the edge for Washington. After spending his first two years as a LB for the Terrapins, Yannick moved to DE and flourished. The three year star recorded 13 sacks last year for Maryland, and looks to do the same in the NFL.

Third Round
67. Dallas Cowboys – Eric Murray, CB Minnesota

Minnesota defensive back Eric Murray attempts to intercept a pass against Penn State on Saturday at TCF Bank Stadium.

Minnesota defensive back Eric Murray attempts to intercept a pass against Penn State on Saturday at TCF Bank Stadium.


Morris Claiborne and Brandon Carr are liabilities for Dallas. Outside of Orlando Scandrick, Dallas has nobody they can count on. A CB has to be selected within the first three to four rounds, so I’m taking Eric Murray in the third.

At Minnesota, Murray was able to line up against some of the best WRs the Big 10 had to offer. He may only have one interception in his career, but he was able to deflect many passes that could’ve turned into big gains for the offense.

71. New York Giants – Jordan Jenkins, DE Georgia
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A lot of the offseason was spent by New York upgrading their defensive line. Massive amounts of money was spent on Olivier Vernon, Snacks Harrison, and The resigning of JPP. The aforementioned JPP was only signed to a one year deal, so if I’m New York, I’m getting depth and insurance in the event Pierre-Paul jets after this season.

Many haven’t heard about Jenkins due in large to his teammate who is projected to go in the first round, Leonard Floyd. The DE totaled 39 TFL in his four year career at Georgia.

79. Philadelphia Eagles – Kenneth Dixon, RB Louisiana Tech
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This may be a stretch because it’s a 50/50 chance he’s here at 79. Demarco Murray was traded to Tennesee a little over a month ago, and if I’m Philadelphia, I’m not entering this season with Ryan Matthews and Darren Sproles fighting to be the starting RB.

Many knock Dixon because of his easy opponents he was up against playing in Conference USA. At Louisiana Tech, Dixon eclipsed the 1,000 yard rushing mark three out of his four years, and was also able to collect 72 rushing TDs. He may be the sleeper in the draft this year.

84. Washington Redskins – Sheldon Day, DT Notre Dame
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Finally, the middle of this defensive line is addressed and plugged up. Sheldon Day had the opportunity to go up against some of the best interior lineman college football had to offer in his four year career at Notre Dame. His senior season was his best as Day was able to collect 15.5 TFL, 4 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles. Pairing him up with Preston Smith only makes the Washington Defense even scarier.

Fourth Round
101. Dallas Cowboys – Christian Hackenberg, QB Penn State
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You knew it was coming, just not which round. If I’m Dallas, I’m taking a QB in the mid rounds of the draft. Reason being is because Tony Romo doesn’t have much longer in this league. If you select a QB and have him learn behind Romo for a couple of years, you may get the same success Green Bay got with Aaron Rodgers.

Had Hackenberg come out in last years draft, he would’ve been the third QB taking behind Winston and Mariota. His game is solid and he has a strong arm, Penn State just couldn’t protect him.

109. New York Giants – Shon Coleman, OT Auburn

The Giants found their future LT for the next decade in Ereck Flowers last draft. The left side of the line is set with Flowers, Pugh, and Richburg. It’s the right side that needs the most work.

Coleman will be able to come in, and battle Newhouse and Bobby Hart for the RT position.

120. Washington Redskins – Pharoh Cooper, WR South Carolina
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It’s a very good chance that this is the last season for Pierre Garçon and Desean Jackson in a Washington uniform. If this franchise is going to build around Kirk Cousins, they need to give him targets.

Cooper put up over 2,000 yards and 17 TDs for the Gamecocks the past two seasons. Not only can hurt you in the passing game, but Cooper is a gadget player as well and can make you pay in the running game. He has four career rushing TDs to go along with over 500 rushing yards.

135. Dallas Cowboys – Kentrell Brothers, LB Missouri

Sean Lee is getting older and more brittle, and Rolando McClain is a bad game away from retiring…again. Dallas needs to add more competition and depth to this LB corps. Even if Brothers wasn’t able to start, he would be able to learn behind Lee.

At Missouri, the 6″1′ 235 pound LB totaled over 150 tackles for the Tigers last year along with three turnovers. Kentrell Brothers is good in coverage so he’s no one trick pony.

Fifth Round
149. New York Giants – Scooby Wright, LB Arizona
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If there is one position that needs to be addressed, that never is with this franchise, it’s LB. New York rarely spends money or high draft picks on LBs, and the past few years it has come back to hurt them.

Wright would have been a shore first round pick this year, if it wasn’t for an injury sustained early on in the 2015 college football season. In 2014, Scooby totaled 164 tackles. Out of those tackles, 31 were for loss and 15 of them were sacks. He also forced five fumbles.

153. Philadelphia Eagles – Daryl Worley, CB West Virginia
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After trading Byron Maxwell to Miami this offseason, CB is a position that needs to be addressed. Leodis Mckelvin was signed, but he is over 30. The team also have a plan Carroll and second round pick from a year ago, Eric Rowe, on the team. Competition is needed with this group and Worley will bring that.

In his junior and final season for the Mountaineers, Worley totaled six interceptions and 12 pass deflections. He is a ballhawk and would be able to compete for at least the nickel CB on this team.

158. Washington Redskins – Travis Feeney, LB Washington

Washington lost Brian Orakpo last year, and Kennan Robinson this year. Junior Galette hasn’t been able to get on the field for this franchise, so LB is need.

Feeney was the lone bright spot for the Washington Huskies in 2015. The senior LB forced three fumbles to go along with 17.5 TFL.

164. Philadelphia Eagles – Fahn Cooper, OT Ole Miss

Jason Peters isn’t going to be around forever, so Philadelphia needs to start grooming somebody for the future. There are plenty of good players left in the fifth round, and Cooper is one of them. He brings size and an attitude to this line. Footwork will need to be worked on, but being able to learn behind one of the best Tackles in the league right now will be beneficial to Cooper’s growth.

Sixth Round
184. New York Giants – Sprencer Drango, G Baylor
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If there is one liability on the Giants offense, it’s John Jerry. The former accomplice in bullygate down in Miami, has been atrocious to say the least in his tenure with Bug Blue.

Spencer Drango will have an opportunity to come in and fight for the starting gig at RG for New York. At 6″6′ and over 320 pounds, Drango has the build to go against the best of interior lineman.

187. Washington Redskins – Dadi Nicolas, DE/LB Virginia Tech
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In my opinion, Nicolas should go higher I this years draft, but with concerns about his character, he may fall a bit. That’s perfect for Washington.

Dadi was a monster over his last two years with the Hokies. He totaled 25 sacks and countless QB hurries. He will be asked to add about 15-20 pounds to his frame as he only weighs in at 225 pounds.

188. Philadelphia Eagles – Steve Longa, LB Rutgers

With Demeco Ryans and Kiko Alonso gone, Philadelphia will need to add players to this group. With Jordan Hicks as the only consistent player in this corps, Longa will be added for depth purposes.

Longa totaled over 300 tackles in his three year career at Rutgers. He too, will be asked to add on some weight as he only weighs 225 pounds.

189. Dallas Cowboys – Quinton Jefferson, DE Maryland

Why not add more depth to the defensive line when you don’t have many holes on your team?

Jefferson, like his teammate Yannick Ngakoue, was pretty disruptive for Maryland. I’m his senior season, Jefferson totaled 12.5 TFL. His size fits perfect for Dallas as he will be able to play DE or DT.

212. Dallas Cowboys – Aaron Burbridge, WR Michigan St
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It showed last year that with Dez Bryant out, more WRs needed to step up. Terrance Williams did ok as did Cole Beasley, but more was needed.

Burbridge was able to go up against the likes of Eli Apple and other great CBs in the Big 10. Standing at almost 6″2′ and 215 pounds, this gives Dallas another big body to be more of a possession WR. With over 1,200 yards and seven TDs for the Spartans last year, this is great value for Big D.

216. Dallas Cowboys – Kevin Peterson, CB Oklahoma St

This is pure value here. You can never have too much competition at any position. Peterson will come in as a special teams player but with his play at Oklahoma State, he could fight for playing time in Dime packages.

217. Dallas Cowboys – DJ Reader, DT Clemson

Just like Quinton Jefferson, Reader will be able to add depth to this DL. At 6″3′ 325 pounds, he’s a big body that will clog the middle for opposing RBs.

Seventh Round
232. Washington Redskins – Deandre Washington, RB Texas Tech
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Alfred Morris is gone, and Silas Reed is suspended for a quarter of the season, so Washington needs some more depth.

Washington has a small frame, but plays like Ahmad Bradshaw early in his career. For the Red Raiders last year, Washington ran for almost 1,500 yards and 14 TDs to go along with close to 400 yards relieving. He could be a diamond in the rough.

233. Philadelphia Eagles – Aziz Shittu, DE Stanford

The defensive line is still a work in progress, as players are getting older and younger players need to be brought in. Shittu may be able to give a spark to this line in the edge. He was able to collect 14.5 TFL last year for the Cardinals, and is good against the run.

242. Washington Redskins – Vadal Alexander, G LSU

As I’ve said earlier, you can’t have enough completion at any position on a football team. The offensive line has to get stronger so they can protect their franchise QB, Kirk Cousins. At 6″6′ and 330 pounds, Alexander not only brings depth to this line, but the possibility to be groomed into a starting guard.

251. Philadelphia Eagles – Jordan Lucas, S Penn State

PSU CB Jordan Lucas grabs an interception during Penn State's 43-40 homecoming victory at State College on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2013. Jason Plotkin -  Daily Record/Sunday News

PSU CB Jordan Lucas grabs an interception during Penn State’s 43-40 homecoming victory at State College on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2013. Jason Plotkin – Daily Record/Sunday News


Some depth at safety is needed as well. While it’s set in stone Malcolm Jenkins will be the starting SS unless injury happens, Lucas will have a chance to earn a back up role as well as play on special teams.

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