Draft Grades - NFC East: Cowboys land value picks, Giants make big move
With the 2015 NFL Draft officially complete, theScore's NFL editors handout their initial grades for how teams fared during all seven rounds.
NFC
EAST | NORTH | SOUTH | WEST
AFC
EAST | NORTH | SOUTH | WEST
Dallas Cowboys
| Rd | Player |
|---|---|
| 1 | CB Byron Jones |
| 2 | LB Randy Gregory |
| 3 | OT Chaz Green |
| 4 | ILB Damien Wilson |
| 5 | DE Ryan Russell |
| 7 | LB Mark Nzeocha |
| 7 | OT Laurence Gibson |
| 7 | TE Geoff Swaim |
The Cowboys had several needs on the defensive side heading into the draft, and despite picking at the bottom of the opening two rounds, they still managed to secure a pair of excellent players that should make an immediate impact. Jones should be a starter in Week 1 and Dallas took advantage of Gregory's slide, grabbing a pass rusher to hold down the fort until Greg Hardy returns. Dallas's only misstep was not addressing running back. Heading into the season with Darren McFadden as their lead back could be a big mistake.
Grade: B
New York Giants
| Rd | Player |
|---|---|
| 1 | OT Ereck Flowers |
| 2 | S Landon Collins |
| 3 | DE Owamagbe Odighizuwa |
| 5 | S Mykkele Thompson |
| 6 | WR Geremy Davis |
| 7 | G Bobby Hart |
New York deviated from its usual best player on the board strategy in round one, taking offensive tackle Flowers ninth overall. The Giants needed an upgrade at offensive line and he gives them a big body that can start right away. New York followed that up by trading to the top of the second round and getting Collins, a versatile player to replace Antrel Rolle. In round three, the G-Men snagged a pass rusher that some felt was a steal in Odighizuwa, giving them three players that could pay major dividends in 2015.
Grade: B+
Philadelphia Eagles
| Rd | Player |
|---|---|
| 1 | WR Nelson Agholor |
| 2 | CB Eric Rowe |
| 3 | LB Jordan Hicks |
| 6 | CB JaCorey Shepherd |
| 6 | CB Randall Evans |
| 7 | DE Brian Mihalik |
The Tennessee Titans decided to pass on the bounty that Chip Kelly reportedly offered for the No. 2 overall pick, forcing the Eagles to stand pat in the first round. Philly then selected Agholor at No. 20, acquiring an excellent route runner and a replacement for Jeremy Maclin. Corner was also a need for the Eagles and they stocked up by taking three in their next four picks. However, two of those came in the sixth round and the need for a safety was much more dire. Rowe may be able to fill that role, but is he going to be the impact player they're searching for to fix their woeful pass defense? That might be a stretch.
Grade: C
Washington Redskins
| Rd | Player |
|---|---|
| 1 | G Brandon Scherff |
| 2 | LB Preston Smith |
| 3 | RB Matt Jones |
| 4 | WR Jamison Crowder |
| 4 | G Arie Kouandjio |
| 5 | LB Martrell Spaight |
| 6 | S Kyshoen Jarrett |
| 6 | CB Tevin Mitchell |
| 6 | WR Evan Spencer |
| 7 | C Austin Reiter |
Washington drafted 10 players in total and many of them fit its scheme very well. Scherff has the ability to play guard or tackle, and the Redskins have no shortage of spots where they can utilize him. Only left tackle Trent Williams should feel his job is safe on Washington's line. Smith, a pass rusher taken in the second round, can replace Brian Orakpo. The Redskins also tried to make Robert Griffin's life a little easier, adding Jones and Crowder in the third and fourth rounds, respectively. The pair will allow RG3 a few more options to help him regain his form.
Grade: B+