2022 NFL Draft Preview: Assessing the Needs of the NFC East

With a little over a week until the NFL Draft, it’s important to gauge where your favorite team’s rivals stand in terms of draft needs.

As the managing-editor of Full Press Coverage Commanders, I can wax poetic all day about how Washington can improve. But it’s important to see where the Cowboys, Eagles, and Giants stand because ultimately their improvement will affect the success of the team I cover.

This year in particular is even more important, as both the Eagles and Giants hold two first-round selections. The Giants are blessed with two top-10 picks, and can truly revitalize their franchise under the tenure of new GM Joe Schoen. The new decision maker in New York is making an attempt to build the G-Men in the likeness of his previous team, the Buffalo Bills, who have gone 24-9 over the last two seasons. He doubled-down in this method by adding former Bills Offensive Coordinator, Brian Daboll to head coach the team. New York could potentially turn things around quickly with the right picks. 

As every year, the Cowboys are an enigma and no one knows how legitimate they are as contenders. After two mediocre seasons, the team burst onto the scene with a 12-5 record, and many felt that they were a dark horse candidate to win the NFC. However, a first-round exit extinguished their hopes, and they may have missed out on their best opportunity for a championship. The team spent the offseason reassembling itself due to the salary cap, and many feel that the team may take a step back this season. 

Below you’ll take at our Pre-Draft NFC East Preview, where we will focus on the team’s free agent additions and losses, and remaining needs. I make an effort to summarize where the team can improve, and name potential fits from this year’s draft class. I hope you enjoy it.

Dallas Cowboys

2022 Record: 1st in the NFC East, 12-5

Key Free Agent Losses: Amari Cooper WR, Randy Gregory EDGE, Keanu Neal S, Connor Williams G, Cedrick Wilson WR

Key Free Agent Additions: Dante Fowler EDGE, James Washington WR

Needs: 

The Dallas Cowboys have a lot of star power at the skilled positions, but have lost their hallmark vision. The team is currently at a deficit along the offensive and defensive lines and are in dire need of improvement. Left tackle Tyron Smith is still a stalwart protecting Dak Prescott’s blindside, but will turn 32 this season and the Cowboys need to plan for his eventual replacement. Tyler Biadasz and Terence Steele currently post the center and right tackle position respectively, and both of these players rank near the bottom of PFF’s rankings in terms of performance. The loss of La’el Collins to the Cincinnati Bengals looms rather large for Dallas, as there is now a gleaming hole on the right side. I expect the team to pursue an interior offensive lineman or defensive tackle in this draft. I think guard Zion Johnson or center Tyler Linderbaum would be good fits for Dallas.

Philadelphia Eagles

2022 Record: 2nd in the NFC East, 9-8

Key Free Agent Losses: Hassan Ridgeway DT

Key Free Agent Additions: Haason Reddick EDGE, Zach Pascal WR

Needs: 

The Eagles have done an excellent job maneuvering up and down the draft board the past few seasons. Philadelphia has 11 selections heading into this year’s draft, and still hold two first-round selections in 2023. This accumulation of draft capital has allowed Philly to be patient in their roster construction. Truly, they can go any direction in this year’s draft, but the expectation is that they go heavy on defense. The Eagles lack star power along their defensive front, especially with Fletcher Cox in the twilight of his career. There is also a deficit at linebacker and a clear running-mate at corner for Darius Slay. I’d expect the Eagles to walk away with a corner and linebacker at 15 and 18, and Devin Lloyd and Trent Mcduffie would make some sense there. However, if a premier defensive tackle falls, such as Jordan Davis, that may be too good to pass up.

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Washington Commanders

2022 Record: 3rd in the NFC East, 7-10

Key Free Agent Losses: Brandon Scherff G, Ereck Flowers G, Deandre Carter WR, Rick Seals-Jones TE, Landon Collins S, Tim Settle DT, Matt Ioannidis DT

Key Free Agent Additions: Carson Wentz QB, Efe Obada EDGE

Needs: 

Washington made a concerted effort to rectify their quarterback room, after having a turnstile at the position over the past few years. The team has trotted out Kyle Allen, Alex Smith, Taylor Heinicke, Garrett Gilbert and Dwayne Haskins over the last two seasons.

Acquiring Carson Wentz hopefully stabilized the position, but it did come at a cost. The 28M dollars assumed by his contract created a tight squeeze on the Commanders salary cap. They were mostly left as spectators this past March as big name free agents exchanged teams.

The team is hopeful that with improved QB play, the team will show growth and be more competitive this season. Yet, the team needs improvement on both sides of the ball. Depth along the offensive and defensive lines are ancillary needs, but linebacker, cornerback depth, and wide receiver is at the forefront. Washington is expected to be in play for Derek Stingley, Kyle Hamilton, Chris Olave or Garrett Wilson if they are available.

MUST READ: FPC Mock Draft 5.0: Wide Receivers Early and Often 

New York Giants

2022 Record: 4th in the NFC East, 4-13

Key Free Agent Losses: TE Evan Engram, CB Keion Crossen, DT Austin Johnson

Key Free Agent Additions: Matt Breida RB, Tyrod Taylor QB, Jamil Douglas G, Ricky Seals-Jones TE

Needs: 

The New York Giants’ offensive line has been in disarray for quite some time. Left Tackle Andrew Thomas was a top-five selection in 2020, but largely struggled his first season. He seemed to remedy that his second go around in the NFL, but the G-Men are still lacking at the offensive front. This past season, the Giants ranked 31st in points scored with 258, and the team need some help protecting Daniel Jones and providing push for Saquon Barkley.

At the skills-position, New York has adequate to above-average players. Wide Receivers Sterling Shepard and Kadarius Toney have upside, while free-agent disappointment Kenny Golladay should bounce back.

On the backend of the defense, the Giants have solid cornerbacks in James Bradberry and Adoree Jackson. Safety Xavier Mckinney had a strong season at safety too.

I’d expect the Giants to build up their offensive line and add talent to their pass rush. Offensive Tackle Evan Neal, the behemoth from Alabama would be a wise selection for New York at five. They could also add an edge rusher if one of the premier prospects fall. A dark-horse option such as Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner or Kyle Hamilton should not be ruled out. The Giants should walk away with two studs after next week’s draft.