Love it or hate it, in our group you can’t speak the NFL without talking about the NFC East. The division had quite the down year last year with the Philadelphia Eagles limping to the divisional win at 9-7. To say changes must be made is an understatement. The context of that change however presented an interesting story line heading into the 2020 draft. There were three coaching changes in the division, which represents a philosophy change as well. With such a talented draft how would these new coaches and the reigning divisional champion fare? Our draft review staff took a look and here are their thoughts……

NFC East 2020 Draft Grades

Dallas Cowboys – Grade: A

Round 1: (No. 17 overall) CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma.

Round 2: (51) Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama.

Round 3: (82) Neville Gallimore, DT, Oklahoma.

Round 4: (123) Reggie Robinson II, CB, Tulsa; (146) Tyler Biadasz, C, Wisconsin.

Round 5: (179) Bradlee Anae, Edge, Utah.

Round 7: (231) Ben DiNucci, QB, James Madison.

The Cowboys not only had the best draft in the NFC East but arguably the entire NFL. WR wasn’t a position of need but CeeDee Lamb was too good to pass up. Pairing him with Dak, Cooper, Gallup, Zeke, Pollard and Jarwin gives first year coach Mike McCarthy arguably the best trio of WRs in the NFL and one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL. Dallas also got an absolute steal in Trevon Diggs who should contribute right away with the departure of Byron Jones. Dallas continued to find value in rounds 3 thru 7, Reggie Robinson may have been a slight reach but Tyler Biadasz and Bradlee Adae could compete to start in week one.

New York Giants – Grade: B+

Round 1: (No. 4 overall) Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia.

Round 2: (36) Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama.

Round 3: (99) Matt Peart, OT, Connecticut.

Round 4: (110) Darnay Holmes, CB, UCLA.

Round 5: (150) Shane Lemieux, C/OG, Oregon.

Round 6: (183) Cameron Brown, LB, Penn State.

Round 7: (218) Carter Coughlin, Edge, Minnesota; (238) T.J. Brunson, LB, South Carolina; (247) Chris Williamson, CB, Minnesota; (255) Tae Crowder, LB, Georgia.

It’s been really easy to question the direction of the Gmen under GM Dave Gettleman, but I thought he did a great job of filling positions of need. Some feel Andrew Thomas was a reach at number 4 but I think he’s the safest pick of the top 5 tackles prospects. Paring him with Matt Persat should provide the Giants with two starting tackles for the future. I also liked the selection of Xavier McKinney, his versatility and playmaking ability should help a secondary that lacks playmakers at all level.

Washington Redskins – Grade: B-

Round 1: (No. 2 overall) Chase Young, Edge, Ohio State.

Round 3: (66) Antonio Gibson, RB/WR, Memphis.

Round 4: (108) Saahdiq Charles, OT, LSU; (142) Antonio Gandy-Golden, WR, Liberty.

Round 5: (156) Keith Ismael, C, San Diego State; (162) Khaleke Hudson, LB, Michigan.

Round 7: (216) Kamren Curl, S, Arkansas; (229) James Smith-Williams, Edge, NC State.

Washington made the second easiest decision in the draft by selecting Chase Young. Pairing him with Ryan Kerrigan, Montez Sweat and the rest of the front seven should give the Redskins one of the best Defensive fronts in the NFL. I do question the selection of Antonio Gibson, considering the RBs Washington currently has on its roster. Saahdiq Charles is a Tackle with tons of upside and would have been draft much higher than round 4 if it wasn’t for some off field issues while at LSU, replacing Trent Williams won’t be easy but he should compete for the starting Left Tackle spot.

Philadelphia Eagles

Round 1: (No. 21 overall) Jalen Reagor, WR, TCU.

Round 2: (53) Jalen Hurts, QB, Oklahoma.

Round 3: (103) Davion Taylor, LB, Colorado.

Round 4: (127) K’Von Wallace, S, Clemson; (145) Jack Driscoll, OT, Auburn.

Round 5: (168) John Hightower, WR, Boise State.

Round 6: (196) Shaun Bradley, LB, Temple; (200) Quez Watkins, WR, Southern Mississippi; (210) Prince Tega Wanogho, OL, Auburn.

Round 7: (233) Casey Toohill, Edge, Stanford.

At first I thought the Eagles should have gone with Justin Jefferson over Jalen Reagor, but I think Reagor gives the Eagles what they have been missing; a versatile WR who can take the top off a defense. Yes, we know Carson Wentz has an injury history, but taking Jalen Hurts in the second round is still a head scratching decision. The rest of the draft was solid for the Eagles, Davion Taylor should add depth and flexibility to LB corps and K’von Wallace should compete to start and add depth to a position of need. Philly also added more speed at WR John Hightower and Quez Watkins.

NFC EAST

Cowboys- A

Round 1: (No. 17 overall) CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma.

Round 2: (51) Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama.

Round 3: (82) Neville Gallimore, DT, Oklahoma.

Round 4: (123) Reggie Robinson II, CB, Tulsa; (146) Tyler Biadasz, C, Wisconsin.

Round 5: (179) Bradlee Anae, Edge, Utah.

Round 7: (231) Ben DiNucci, QB, James Madison.

Cowboys had a solid draft from top to bottom. CD Lamb is tough player to grade out. He passed the eye test but many deep stats weren’t in his favor. Overall I’ll let PFF be the tie breaker as they had him graded as the 3rd best reciever they have graded in college. At the very least he will be a productive number 2 and they got a top prospect at number 17. I love the value they got in the second round with Diggs. He’s a system cornerback that excels in press, and he should be a starter this season. Gallimore was a steal at 81st over all. Pff had him as the 51st best player. Anee was another pick I liked a lot. He was a poor man’s Epinesa. Another guy that tested poorly but he should excel on special teams and work his way into the d line rotation

Giants-A

Round 1: (No. 4 overall) Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia.

Round 2: (36) Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama.

Round 3: (99) Matt Peart, OT, Connecticut.

Round 4: (110) Darnay Holmes, CB, UCLA.

Round 5: (150) Shane Lemieux, C/OG, Oregon.

Round 6: (183) Cameron Brown, LB, Penn State.

Round 7: (218) Carter Coughlin, Edge, Minnesota; (238) T.J. Brunson, LB, South Carolina; (247) Chris Williamson, CB, Minnesota; (255) Tae Crowder, LB, Georgia.

The Giants addressed the o line position by getting their left tackle for the foreseeable future. Thomas was the most pro ready tackle coming out, and he should have an immediate impact on the line. Not a pretty pick but anything that helps a young qb is always a top notch decision. The McKinney was a steal in the second round. Definitely had the best blend of coverage and run support of all safeties. I believe the only reason he fell to the second round was the safety value that would still be available in the second round. Matt part was another solid pick up in round 3 with a 90.2 overall off grade.

Redskins- B+

Round 1: (No. 2 overall) Chase Young, Edge, Ohio State.

Round 3: (66) Antonio Gibson, RB/WR, Memphis.

Round 4: (108) Saahdiq Charles, OT, LSU; (142) Antonio Gandy-Golden, WR, Liberty.

Round 5: (156) Keith Ismael, C, San Diego State; (162) Khaleke Hudson, LB, Michigan.

Round 7: (216) Kamren Curl, S, Arkansas; (229) James Smith-Williams, Edge, NC State.

Any draft that you come out with a talent like Chase Young is an immediate win. PFF is on paper stating he’s a future HOF. The only other person they staked that claim for was Quinten Nelson (another guy I loved coming out). CY shattered Pff grades with a 96 pass rush grade. I wanted to love the Gibson pick up but they selected him with Jones on the board. Now the Gibson pick looks better when we were able to grab Charles in the 4th round. Gibson looks to be an elite athlete with 4.38 speed at 220. He had 70ish touches and broke 33 tackles. He’s not polisher in any area but the man is an absolute weapon. Charles slid because of off field issues missing 6 games in his final season. People have raised issues of his arms being to short but a lot had him as a late 1st round talent. The Redskins have an abysmal tight end position, which they addressed by signing Moss as an udfa. Moss has the potential to win a starting job and that’s not based on his talent but the level of talent on the team. The reason they don’t get an A is the Trent Williams debacle. I would’ve been happy with a second round pick for compensation. He certainly didn’t help them any (Viking potential trade), but he is a top 5 tackle when healthy and we brought in a 3rd and a 5th

Eagles – C+

Round 1: (No. 21 overall) Jalen Reagor, WR, TCU.

Round 2: (53) Jalen Hurts, QB, Oklahoma.

Round 3: (103) Davion Taylor, LB, Colorado.

Round 4: (127) K’Von Wallace, S, Clemson; (145) Jack Driscoll, OT, Auburn.

Round 5: (168) John Hightower, WR, Boise State.

Round 6: (196) Shaun Bradley, LB, Temple; (200) Quez Watkins, WR, Southern Mississippi; (210) Prince Tega Wanogho, OL, Auburn.

Round 7: (233) Casey Toohill, Edge, Stanford.

Jalen Reagor is one of the most explosive wide receivers coming out. I’d have much rather have had Jefferson there. Reagor dropped 15 passes between his last 2 seasons. Drop problems in college translate to drops in the NFL. The second Jalen they drafted I was equally not a fan of. The Eagles are really talking about him and Wentz on the field at the same time? I would’ve have possibly taken him in the fourth or fifth but the second was entirely too high. A one read qb with accuracy issues. Jalen Hurts is the qb that people thought Lamar Jackson was. Kvon Wallace was a solid pick up later and should immediately slide in the slot cb position.

IBS Yeezus

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Dallas Cowboys – Grade: A+

Round 1: (No. 17 overall) CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma.

Round 2: (51) Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama.

Round 3: (82) Neville Gallimore, DT, Oklahoma.

Round 4: (123) Reggie Robinson II, CB, Tulsa; (146) Tyler Biadasz, C, Wisconsin.

Round 5: (179) Bradlee Anae, Edge, Utah.

Round 7: (231) Ben DiNucci, QB, James Madison.

I’m not sure the draft could’ve went any better for Dallas than it did. CeeDee falling to 17 or hell any of the “elite” prospect receivers falling that far is a treat. Then they doubled back in the second and Diggs basically fell in their lap too. The highlight of their draft to me is Biadasz, Robinson and Anae. The kid was a stud but due to an injury he fell pretty hard. Losing the homie Frederick hurts anybody but to find a suitable replacement that far down is fantastic. I get the cons but some of it is just goofy to me. Jerry hardly misses on his linemen so I trust him here for sure. Robinson has some of the best ball skills and ironically measures identical to Diggs who some scouts called “elite height and build” for the corner back position. I also really love Anae where they picked him and expect him to develop into a great addition to their pass rush. I know everyone loves the first two picks but rounds 3-5 really solidified the Cowboys draft as one of the best in the league not just their division.

Favorite pick: Rounds 3-5 all of them

Least Favorite Pick: none

New York Giants – Grade: B

Round 1: (No. 4 overall) Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia.

Round 2: (36) Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama.

Round 3: (99) Matt Peart, OT, Connecticut.

Round 4: (110) Darnay Holmes, CB, UCLA.

Round 5: (150) Shane Lemieux, C/OG, Oregon.

Round 6: (183) Cameron Brown, LB, Penn State.

Round 7: (218) Carter Coughlin, Edge, Minnesota; (238) T.J. Brunson, LB, South Carolina; (247) Chris Williamson, CB, Minnesota; (255) Tae Crowder, LB, Georgia

I am probably one of Gettleman’s loudest detractors in our group. There’s a long line of them out here especially considering he’s in New York he did the best he could with what he had. To me the Giants draft was dictated by their peers who either didn’t want to trade with them or was afraid to be the first to make a move. So the Giants took care of their needs with their first two picks and added guys who are Day 1 starters. Getting Mckinney and taking Thomas over Simmons is key to me. The difference between the LT you get at 4 and the LT you get at 36 is scary. Name me a better safety that went before #36…. love adding a guy like Peart who could very easily be coached to LT himself and potentially leave Thomas at RT. Peart screams “scouted thoroughly” pick and you have to love his natural size and athleticism. Where Gettleman loses me is on his defensive picks. after McKinney. I’m not sure any of these guys will contribute much and if they do I would be shocked if it happens in the next 2-3 years. They just look like special team guys if you’re lucky and I don’t trust a new coaching staff to navigate this development process. He did well with his OL picks though in my opinion.

Favorite Pick: Skipping Simmons, taking Thomas and still landing Mckinney

Least Favorite Pick: Darnay Holmes

Washington Redskins – Grade: B

Round 1: (No. 2 overall) Chase Young, Edge, Ohio State.

Round 3: (66) Antonio Gibson, RB/WR, Memphis.

Round 4: (108) Saahdiq Charles, OT, LSU; (142) Antonio Gandy-Golden, WR, Liberty.

Round 5: (156) Keith Ismael, C, San Diego State; (162) Khaleke Hudson, LB, Michigan.

Round 7: (216) Kamren Curl, S, Arkansas; (229) James Smith-Williams, Edge, NC State.

Redskins are another team that I don’t think drafted that bad. Thank God they don’t listen to some of their fans and did the right thing and took Chase Young with the #2 pick. The real questions for me lies in how do these offensive players fit their new scheme and what can they ultimately do for Dwayne Haskins who might be too far gone. I frequent these smaller, lesser known conferences and schools for my second line of work so I know that Gibson , Golden and Ismael have the talent that can really help a team like Washington. I don’t mind Charles but I worry about his development while Haskins is also developing. He’s not a terrible pick but he’s going to have growing pains at that position. I actually am higher on Hudson than most are so I don’t mind the pick. Given his NFL.com grade and some of his glaring issues in pass coverage I think a logical argument could be made they didn’t have to take him where they did. I think James Smith-Williams is a good pick for a 7th round pick. Normally people don’t pay attention to that round but if he can stay on the field he should contribute.

Favorite Pick: Antonio Gibson

Least Favorite Pick: Saahdiq Charles (I just don’t like him much as a prospect to protect your young QBs blindside

Philadelphia Eagles D

Round 1: (No. 21 overall) Jalen Reagor, WR, TCU.

Round 2: (53) Jalen Hurts, QB, Oklahoma.

Round 3: (103) Davion Taylor, LB, Colorado.

Round 4: (127) K’Von Wallace, S, Clemson; (145) Jack Driscoll, OT, Auburn

Round 5: (168) John Hightower, WR, Boise State.

Round 6: (196) Shaun Bradley, LB, Temple; (200) Quez Watkins, WR, Southern Mississippi; (210) Prince Tega Wanogho, OL, Auburn

Round 7: (233) Casey Toohill, Edge, Stanford.

You know that goofy meme everyone shared with the three dragons from the NFL season? Imagine there are 4 heads…Washington , Dallas ,and the Giants all look normal and here comes “durf” face Philly. Listen Reagor fits their scheme more than Jefferson. Get over it…the pick isn’t that bad and it’s really hard to hold Reagor to the fire for a bad year of dropped passes when most of the passes thrown to him weren’t catchable. I personally like the kid and think he will benefit from having a more capable QB. But then we get into “wtf” territory. That Jalen Hurts pick is just dumb. He will never be Taysom and honestly Taysom probably wont last long as “Taysom.” This fantasy of a flex position QBrunner….it’s just not going to work for Philly. It’s a wasteful pick for a team with a lot of needs in every position but QB. Spare me the “Wentz is going to get hurt” talk the guys best WR last year was a former QB…get him more help idiots. All you guys calling Reagor the new Agohlor haven’t seen Hightower on film… I do think Taylor has tremendous athletic upside and could be a huge asset if properly developed. Ultimately the pick of Hurts and two guys who can’t break a press consistently just don’t do it for me. I am thoroughly disappointed in Howie on this one.

Favorite Pick : Davion Taylor…huge potential upside if properly coached
Least Favorite Pick: Hurts, and everything after besides Taylor and Wallace

Jordan Blair

Cowboys:

Rd 1 (17): WR CeeDee Lamb, Oklahoma

Rd 2 (51): CB Trevon Diggs, Alabama

Rd 3 (82): DI Neville Gallimore, Oklahoma

Rd 4 (123): CB Reggie Robinson, Tulsa

Rd 4 (146): IOL Tyler Biadasz, Wisconsin

Rd 5 (179): Edge Bradlee Anae, Utah

Rd 7 (231): QB Ben DiNucci, James Madison

Draft Grade: A

The Cowboys absolutely nailed this draft. You can agree or disagree with the players they picked, but based on almost any national outlet or pundit you look at the team got value at every pick and stuck to their board. Building on strengths is a highly underrated draft strategy. Capitalizing on CeeDee Lambs’ first round free fall was a huge steal in the second half of the draft seeing as he is the third best receiver that PFF has ever evaluated.  Trevon Diggs was often mocked in the first round and I think compares favorably to Antonio Cromartie as a big, long, ball-hawking corner who is really more a 1B corner rather than an island. Gallimore is an athletic defensive tackle; who showed dominant flashes on tape who can learn and rotate with recently acquire Poe and McCoy. He had some first round buzz at certain points leading up to the draft. Double dipping, another highly underrated draft strategy, at CB in round 4 they took Robinson who is an athletic project who also flashed starter quality snaps, albeit inconsistent. Trading up in the mid rounds is rarely a good idea (especially with a division rival), but nabbing Biadasz at the bottom of the fourth was beautiful. He won the Remington last year after coming off hip surgery and if we can replace one “un-athletic” Wisconsin center with another it will be down right poetic. Anae is a production monster and quite possibly the teams actual best value in the draft. Drafting DiNucci, who led the nation in completion percentage, in the 7^th seems like an ode to Kellen Moore. 7^th round picks are basically UDFA’s you don’t want to miss and I prefer dart throws and big athletes than small, weak armed QBs.

Favorite Pick: Tyler Biadasz, Center, Wisconsin

Least Favorite: Ben DiNucci, Quarterback, JMU

Giants:

Round 1 (4): T Andrew Thomas, Georgia

Round 2 (36): S Xavier McKinney, Alabama

Round 3 (99): T Matt Peart, Connecticut

Round 4 (110): CB Darnay Holmes, UCLA

Round 5 (150): IOL Shane Lemieux, Oregon

Round 6 (183): LB Cam Brown, Penn State

Round 7 (218): Edge Carter Coughlin, Minnesota (238): LB TJ Brunson, South Carolina, (247): CB Chris Williamson, Minnesota, (255): LB Tae Crowder, Georgia

Draft Grade: B+

I’ve spoken about it before, but double dipping to shore up a position group is an underrated draft strategy. Drafts aren’t science and the more picks you make, the more likely you’ll hit. Just ask Bill Bellicheck the master of the end of the first round trade down, or just draft trading in general. Well the Giants triple dipped at two positions (OL and LB) and did it with some value to boot. Thomas was the best-graded tackle in the draft because of his tape and production against SEC pass rushers. McKinney is another DB to make it to the NFL from a long list at Alabama. McKinney is a subpar athlete (8^th Adjusted SPARQ score) but the most important trait a safety can have is in-between his ears. McKinney’s tape and production are excellent and he’s a Day 1 starter. Peart is the ideal tackle specimen and was super productive last season. With time in an NFL weight room he’ll eventually bookend Thomas. Darnay Holmes is another starting slot corner drafted into the NFC East after Wallace. Holmes had a down year last year, on top of being and undersized, slot only type, which led to his slip.  Cam Brown is a huge, freaky LB who could end up starting one day. Tae Crowder is a huge project as a RB to LB convert in the Mr. Irrelevant pick and the Giants really needed a WR at some point in this draft.

Favorite Pick: Matt Peart, Tackle, Connecticut

Least Favorite Pick: Tae Crowder, LB, Georgia

Redskins:

Round 1 (2): EDGE Chase Young, Ohio State

Round 3 (66): RB Antonio Gibson, Memphis

Round 4 (108): OT Saahdiq Charles, LSU

Round 4 (142): WR Antonio Gandy-Golden, Liberty

Round 5 (156): IOL Keith Ismael, San Diego State,(162): LB Khaleke Hudson, Michigan

Round 7 (216): S Kamren Curl, Arkansas, (229): Edge James Smith-Williams, NC State

Draft Grade: A-

I love what the Redskins did this draft. Building on their strengths they drafted Chase Young which was a no brainer, and they now have a QB rushing arsenal that few teams if any can match. I didn’t like the Antonio Gibson pick in the second because even though he is super explosive, he’s raw and a offensive weapon, we call those tweeners on defense. He has Cordarrelle Patterson floor with Percy Harvin upside, but I felt he was more of a third or fourth round pick and a luxury at that. After finally ending the Trent Williams saga (Just one on a list of Bruce Allen mistakes) they drafted a National Champion LT in Charles. He’s got all the making of a starting tackle he just has to stay healthy and out of trouble. Antonio GG is huge physical target with great production even if it was at Liberty. If he had ran a 4.5 instead of 4.6 he would have been late first or second round and will probably start across from McLaurin year 1. Keith Ismael could work his way into the starting lineup at some point and grabbing two starters on the oline in any draft is a big win. Thaddeus Moss was a UDFA, but quite possibly the UDFA steal of the year.

Favorite Pick: Saahdiq Charles, Tackle, LSU

Least Favorite Pick: Antonio Gibson, WR, Liberty

Eagles:

Round 1 (21): WR Jalen Reagor, TCU

Round 2 (53): QB Jalen Hurts, Oklahoma

Round 3 (103): LB Davion Taylor, Colorado

Round 4 (127): CB K’Von Wallace, Clemson, (145): OT Jack Driscoll, Auburn

Round 5 (168): WR John Hightower, Boise State

Round 6 (196): LB Shaun Bradley, Temple, (200): WR Quez Watkins, Southern Mississippi, (210): OT Prince Tega Wanogho, Auburn

Round 7 (233): Edge Casey Toohill, Stanford

Draft Grade: C+

The range on the draft grade here varies. Some people hate the Eagles draft and others like it. It’s really up for interpretation.  Taking Jalen Reagor before Justin Jefferson is just blasphemy. I actually like Reagor a lot, but he is far inferior to Jefferson. Reagor is like a better Agholor so good luck with that Eagles. The second round brought the Eagles Jalen Hurts, which is the part which makes their draft grade vary so much. I like the pick because Wentz has been hurt the past 3 season and QB is the most important position in sports. Having a capable backup can keep a team whose starter goes down afloat and even turn out to be your future, ask Romo (SADFACE).  Davion Taylor is intriguing, undersized and FAST he fits the modern LB mold but hasn’t played a lot of football because of religious reasons. PFF loved Taylor and drafted him first round in their analytic draft. K’von Wallace is a day one starter in the slot, and in the modern NFL slot corners play A LOT.  I like the additions of speed with Hightower and Watkins, and Tega  and interesting project, but that’s about it for the late round picks.

Favorite Pick: K’Von Wallace, Slot Corner, Clemson

Least Favorite Pick: Jalen Reagor, Wide Receiver, TCU

Next up the team takes on the AFC East! Be on the look out for more grades and analysis. Please don’t forget to complain, comment and share.