NFC East Draft Needs: Eagles, Giants, Cowboys all seeking cornerback
theScore goes division by division to identify the biggest positional needs for all 32 NFL teams entering the draft.
NFC
EAST | NORTH | SOUTH | WEST
AFC
EAST | NORTH | SOUTH | WEST
Washington Redskins
Biggest need: Defensive tackle
Other needs: Safety, running back, defensive end, inside linebacker
Washington's front seven lacks both depth and talent across the board, and improving the defensive line is of paramount importance. The Redskins finished 26th in rushing defense and are slated to struggle again unless they make a significant splurge through the draft.
Improving the 24th-ranked passing defense is also a top priority and while cornerback Bashaud Breeland displayed star potential, Chris Culliver and Will Blackmon are a quarterback's dream tandem. DeAngelo Hall and Kyshoen Jarrett are rotational players at best, and investing in a younger core may alleviate the team's woes.
Potential draft targets: Alabama defensive tackle A'Shawn Robinson would be the ideal pick for the Redskins, a run-blocker who can blot out the sun with improving pass-rushing skills. The Redskins may also consider selecting Ole Miss' Robert Ndemkiche if he's available, a premier talent with off-field concerns.
Washington can afford to get a defensive end or tackle in the first round, and target Florida safety Keanu Neal or Duke safety Jeremy Cash to inject life into its dormant secondary. Luckily, the Redskins are in a position where they don't need to manipulate the draft board to address their pressing needs.
Philadelphia Eagles
Biggest need: Cornerback
Other needs: Running back, inside linebacker, quarterback, safety
The Eagles need to amend their secondary after ranking 28th in passing defense. Philadelphia ended the Byron Maxwell experiment one year in, trading the beleaguered cornerback to Miami. Eric Rowe is a promising, untested option at left cornerback, but Nolan Carroll and Leodis McKelvin are best used in dime packages, as opposed to the Eagles' base.
Ryan Mathews is slated to start at running back next season, but his last two injury-ravaged seasons could be indicative of further, permanent decline. Darren Sproles is best used as a receiver out of the flats, and the team is in desperate need of a reliable, every-down back.
Potential draft targets: Philadelphia ostensibly traded up to No. 8 overall to find its next dynamic playmaker, and Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott fits that description to a tee. If Elliott is still available, the Eagles should seek cornerback depth in the second and third rounds.
Clemson's Mackensie Alexander or Ohio State's Eli Apple would certainly be appealing to the Eagles if Elliott is off the board. Conversely, the Eagles could find cornerback depth in the second round, with Virginia Tech's Kendall Fuller warranting consideration.
It's unlikely the Eagles will pick their quarterback of the future in this draft, but it'd be worth taking a flyer on Penn State's Christian Hackenberg or Ohio State's Cardale Jones as long-term projects.
New York Giants
Biggest need: Safety
Other needs: Inside linebacker, cornerback, running back
New York finished last in passing defense, allowing an abysmal 4,783 yards. Although the secondary was ravaged by injuries, the languid performance was indicative of the team's lack of depth. The Giants signed cornerback Janoris Jenkins in free agency to replace Prince Amukamara, and free safety Landon Collins improved during the second half of his rookie year. Nonetheless, Cooper Taylor is a disastrous option at strong safety, and the Giants need to invest heavily on the back end.
Keenan Robinson, Devon Kennard, and J.T. Thomas may be the least inspiring linebacker trio in the NFL, and the Giants did little to improve the position in recent years. The Giants finished 24th in rushing defense and the team's in dire need of finding a playmaker to assist the front seven.
Potential draft targets: If Ezekiel Elliott is still available at No. 10, the Giants will sprint to the podium to turn in their card. If not, Florida cornerback Vernon Hargreaves or Eli Apple should be prime considerations.
The Giants should be able to address their issues at strong safety in the second round and Ohio State's Vonn Bell or West Virginia's Karl Joseph would likely be atop their board. Otherwise, the Giants need to consider taking Myles Killebrew out of Southern Utah, a dynamic hybrid safety/linebacker who could alleviate multiple woes.
Dallas Cowboys
Biggest need: Cornerback
Other needs: Defensive end, inside linebacker, running back
The Cowboys finished fifth in passing defense, a statistic that will likely prove to be a misnomer. Byron Jones - a first-round pick in 2015 - vacillated between cornerback and free safety, and will need some help as Morris Claiborne and Jeff Heath would be untenable options in the nickel base scheme. Dallas recorded a paltry eight interceptions in 2015, and adding another playmaker to the secondary is imperative.
DeMarcus Lawrence showed glimpses of stardom with eight sacks during his rookie campaign, but was the lone bright spot for an otherwise underwhelming pass rush. Greg Hardy was not retained, and Cedric Thornton, David Irving, and Ryan Russell will do little to inspire confidence.
Potential draft targets: Florida State's Jalen Ramsey would be an ideal fit if he's still available when the Cowboys select fourth overall. Although it would be a bit of a leap, Vernon Hargreaves could also be an option with the Cowboys' first-round pick.
Conversely, the Cowboys could alleviate their woes by selecting Oregon defensive end DeForest Buckner or UCLA linebacker Myles Jack to improve their pass rush. If so, the Cowboys could wait until the second round to select Kendall Fuller or Miami's Artie Burns at cornerback, although the latter may ascend through draft boards.