Dallas Cowboys: C
2.) Trysten Hill, DT, UCF
3.) Connor McGovern, OG, Penn St.
4.) Tony Pollard, RB, Memphis
5.) Michael Jackson, CB, Miami
5b.) Joe Jackson, DE, Miami
6.) Donovan Wilson, S, Texas A&M
7.) Mike Weber, RB, Ohio St.
7b.) Jalen Jelks, DE, Oregon
The Cowboys’ roster is pretty set, so this draft class was more of an exercise of adding depth. The defensive line was the most glaring need and they invested three picks to bolster it. Hill, is a unique prospect. The production isn’t really there, but the talent is off the charts. If he puts it together, Hill could be a starter. Jelks and Jackson, will be valuable additions to the rotation with proven pass rushing abilities. Jelks offers some versatility, having played linebacker.
The offensive investments are intriguing. McGovern, is exactly the type of player that the Cowboys need. Their starters have dealt with injuries recently along the interior of the line. McGovern can play all three interior positions and with the future of Travis Fredrick up in the air, he could wind up starting as a rookie.
Pollard and Weber are important additions. Outside of Ezekiel Elliott, the Cowboys have no running backs. That’s dangerous. Elliott is too valuable and if he goes down, no one is there to buoy the rushing attack. Pollard, is a versatile weapon. He had 941 rushing yards and 1,292 receiving yards. Weber, is another multifaceted threat, although he’s better running between the tackles.
New York Giants: B-
1.) Daniel Jones, QB, Duke
1b.) Dexter Lawrence, DT, Clemson
1c.) Deandre Baker, CB, Georgia
3.) Oshane Ximines, OLB, Old Dominion
4.) Julian Love, CB, Notre Dame
5.) Ryan Connelly, LB, Wisconsin
5b.) Darius Slayton, WR, Auburn
6.) Corey Ballentine, CB, Washburn
7.) George Asafo-adjel, OT, Kentucky
7b.) Chris Slayton, DT, Syracuse
Outside of reaching for Jones, this isn’t a bad haul. Speaking of Jones, it’s not the worst pick ever, but it is a reach and GM Dave Gettleman has taken a lot of heat. He said he was afraid of a couple teams swiping Jones before his team picked again at seventeen-overall. Truth or not, Jones is the future and sitting behind Eli Manning will be good for him, even if only to let the pick blow over.
In regards to the picks that will have a more immediate impact, there are a number of them. Lawrence, has rare athleticism for a big man and gives the Giants a true nose for their 3-4 system. Baker and Love provide immediate upgrades at the cornerback position. Baker, the only cornerback drafted in Round 1, has the experience and attitude to excel at the next level. Love, could become the nickle corner soon than later with his proven ball skills (40 pass-breakups and four interceptions over the last two years).
Ximines, is an intriguing player. Not many players from Old Dominion make it to the NFL, let alone get drafted in the third round from Old Dominion. Ximines’ numbers tell you everything you need to know. He had 51.5 tckles-for-loss and 33 sacks over the past four years. He still needs to get bigger, but the the sky is the limit with production like that.
Philadelphia Eagles: B
1.) Andre Dillard, OT, Washington St.
2.) Miles Sanders, RB, Penn St.
2b.) J.J. Arcega-Whiteside, WR, Stanford
4.) Shareef Miller, DE, Penn St.
5.) Clayton Thorson, QB, Northwestern
Another team with a will built roster, all GM Howie Rosman was addressing needs for the future. Dillard, will be the heir to future hall-of-famer Jason Peter’s spot on the left side of the offensive line. Giving Dillard a year to acclimate behind someone like Peters, isn’t the worst thing. Dillard can be a 10-year starter for the Eagles.
The Eagles traded a conditional sixth-round pick in next year’s draft to land veteran Jordan Howard. If things don’t work out for Howard, Sanders is the answer. And even then, Sanders has the capabilities to start based of his one year as the starter at Penn State. Arcega-Whiteside, gives the Eagles a building after DeSean Jackson and if they choose to move on from Alshon Jeffery in a year or two. In the meantime, he offers a serious red zone threat. He had 14 touchdowns last season.
Washington Redskins: B+
1.) Dwayne Haskins, QB, Maryland
1b.) Montez Sweat, OLB, Mississippi St.
3.) Terry McLaurin, WR, Ohio St.
4.) Bryce Love, RB, Stanford
4b.) Wes Martin, OG, Indiana
5.) Ross Pierschbacher, C, Alabama
5b.) Cole Holcomb, LB, North Carolina
6.) Kelvin Harmon, WR, NC State
7.) Jimmy Moreland, CB, James Madison
7b.) Jordan Brailford, OLB, Oklahoma St.
When reports of owner Dan Snyder taking over the reigns for the draft began to leak surface last week, I was fully prepared for a train-wreck of a draft from the perpetually inept Redskins. What we got instead was a surprisingly good draft class.
Starting with Haskins. Instead of making the trade up the draft board to take Haskins, the team waited and got their man at fifteen. A one-year starter, Haskins put up crazy numbers (4,831 yards and 50 touchdowns) and has the makings of a legitimate franchise quarterback. Sweat, fills the void left by Preston Smith opposite Ryan Kerrigan. He had 22 sacks in the past two years.
The talent Washington picked up later in the draft is impressive at every level. McLaurin, is the consummate team player, and will become a better receiver with time. He improved every year. Love’s stock fell due to injury, but if he can prove he’s healthy, he has the ability to be a starting back. Pierschbacher, was a four year starter and a rock for along the interior of the line. He has versatility to play guard or center. Harmon, is a giant target who posted back-to-back 1,000 yard seasons to close out his college days.
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