It was no secret last season that the NFC East was one of the worst divisions in football. Featuring three teams with a sub .500 record and only one team that barely broke the mediocre mark, the 2016 offseason remains pivotal to the future of the division. As avid football fans, we all have come to learn that franchises are built through the draft rather than through trades and free agency, so in this piece, I will examine how each NFC East franchise can improve their roster and ultimately their record through proper selections in April’s draft.

Dallas Cowboys

2015 Record: 4-12

2016 Draft Picks: 4, 34, 67, 101, 135, 189, 212, 216, 217

Dallas enters the spring in a very unique position. They are coming off one of their worst seasons in recent memory, however, are just another year removed from having one of their most promising ones. The loss of Tony Romo and long-winded injury of Dez Bryant are the biggest reasons to blame for their mere 4-12 record in 2015. However that is not to say they don’t have plenty of holes to fill, even with both players coming back healthy next season.

Most glaringly apparent in terms of need on this roster is in the defensive front seven, particularly at the defensive end position. With the Cowboys picking fourth overall in April, they will have their pick of the litter in terms of taking the best edge setter available in the class.

Right off the bat, Ohio State defensive end Joey Bosa comes to mind, as he would be a plug and play piece from day one in Rod Marinelli’s 4-3 defense at the left defensive end position. What makes Bosa so enticing is his versatility. When needed, Bosa can easily kick inside and also play as a three-technique defensive tackle, while creating instant havoc for interior offensive linemen. Here’s a perfect example of what I’m talking about…

 

As for other draft needs, Dallas is very thin at linebacker. Sean Lee has a well-documented injury history and they only brought back Rolando McClain on a one-year deal. The depth behind those two is scarce, so also at No. 4 overall, the Cowboys will be considering Myles Jack, linebacker from UCLA.

He’s one of the most physically gifted and instinctual players to come out of college in the last decade, as he became the first player in Pac-12 history to win both Offensive and Defensive Freshman of the Year back in 2013. In the NFL he will not be getting any reps at running back as he did in college, however his astounding success on both sides of the ball should give you an idea of the type of athlete and the kind of skill-set he brings to the linebacker position. Jack is the smoothest cover linebacker I have ever scouted, period. He has the skills and athleticism to stick with tight ends, slot receivers, and even outside flankers, allowing any defense he is on to remain in base rather than having to quickly switch to sub-packages. He’s the type of game breaking talent that the Cowboys have lacked on the defensive side of the ball since DeMarcus Ware left a couple of seasons ago.

Jalen Ramsey of Florida State is a defensive back who also brings scheme and positional versatility to the table. Dallas will seriously consider him at number four if he is still there, as he will immediately upgrade their mediocre secondary with his incredible athleticism and ability to play either corner or safety.

Not nearly as glaring of issues as the previously iterated, Dallas also needs more talent at the skill positions on offense. They could benefit from another wide receiver, who they will likely target with their 34th or 67th pick. Expect them to pull the trigger on TCU’s Josh Doctson, or Ohio State’s Michael Thomas if either is available at 34, while Braxton Miller, also of Ohio State, will be considered if he slides to 67. The Cowboys also are certainly in the market for another running back, so expect them to start looking around the 67th or 101st pick. UCLA’s Paul Perkins, Notre Dame’s C.J. Prosise, and Louisiana Tech’s Kenneth Dixon are all in play for Dallas here.

And finally, possibly most pressing for Dallas in the long term, is backup quarterback. The point in which Dallas could select Romo’s potential successor ranges anywhere from No. 4 overall to No. 135. If they like either Jared Goff or Carson Wentz, both will be in play at No. 4 if available. They may rather take a chance on a more developmental signal caller in the later rounds, however, making someone like Dak Prescott, or Jacoby Brissett an option for them in the fourth round through sixth rounds. I believe the best case scenario for the Cowboys would be if they went defense with number four and managed to steal Paxton Lynch of Memphis at number 34 overall. Lynch isn’t expected to slide out of the first round, however there is definitely a chance that this could be the case, so considering the Cowboys well documented issues for a long term quarterback answer, I see no reason that they wouldn’t pull the trigger on Lynch if he is dangling out there early on in the second round.

New York Giants

2015 Record: 6-10

2016 Draft Picks: 10, 40, 71, 109, 149, 184

The 2015 New York Giants disappointed in so many ways, yet were also so close to being division champs. When things were clicking for them, they looked playoff caliber and downright dangerous, but when it really came down to crunch time, they couldn’t have come up any smaller. Because of this, longtime head coach Tom Coughlin has been canned, while management decided to shell out over $200 million in free agency this offseason. This wild spending spree covered up many of the holes on this quite flawed Giants roster, but what remains is a gaping hole on the offensive line. Saddled with the 10th overall selection during the draft, I fully expect them to address this glaring void.

This year, arguably the most talented player in the draft is left tackle Laremy Tunsil of Ole Miss. Unfortunately for the G-Men, Tunsil is not likely to be available when they pick at No. 10. Another option is Ronnie Stanley of Notre Dame, however he is likely gone by No. 10 as well. This puts the Giants in a tough spot, because I see their best pick at 10 as one that many would condemn as a “reach”.

With Ereck Flowers solidified as the Giants left tackle for years to come, a natural left tackle is not a pick that they are tied to at No. 10. Enter Jack Conklin of Michigan State. He may not be the fleetest of foot, or the most athletic, but Conklin sure is a tough nosed football player. He possesses good technique in pass protection, gets downhill in the run game, and can deliver a shot in the open field. Check out Conklin here, as he blasts an Oregon defender trying to convert a turnover into points…

Conklin would enter as a Day 1 starter on the right side for New York, effectively securing the book ends of their lacking offensive line for years to come. If the Giants take this chance here and don’t worry about the “reach” criticism, expect Eli Manning’s protection to improve tenfold, and most importantly the Giants run game to become viable once again.

Also in play at No. 10 for New York is a wide receiver, linebacker, or running back. The pick seems too rich for running back Ezekiel Elliot, or top rated wide receiver Laquon Treadwell, however expect Alabama linebacker Reggie Ragland to get some consideration when the G-Men are on the clock. Likely, these other team needs will be filled later on in the draft. There should be some quality receivers still available at numbers 40 and 71, while the same goes for linebacker. Running back will be targeted likely closer to the fourth round, still giving them a chance to grab a talented runner. Players certainly on their big board within these round parameters include wide receivers Josh Doctson of TCU and Michael Thomas of Ohio State, running backs Alex Collins and Jonathan Williams of Arkansas along with Jordan Howard of Indiana, and linebackers Kentrell Brothers of Missouri and Dominique Alexander of Oklahoma.

Philadelphia Eagles

2015 Record: 7-9

2016 Draft Picks: 8, 77, 79, 100, 153, 164, 188, 233, 251

Ever since the season ended and the offseason picked up, there has been an exodus of anything related to the Chip Kelly era out of Philadelphia. Now possessing the eighth overall pick after a trade with the Dolphins, the Eagles have a chance to get a really talented player to build their new era around. While many want the Eagles to pursue running back Ezekiel Elliot of Ohio State early on, I don’t see the glaring need when they still have Ryan Mathews, Darren Sproles, and Kenjon Barner in the fold. Instead I expect Philly to settle on Vernon Hargreaves of the University of Florida, undersized cornerback but playmaking extraordinaire.

After watching more tape on him, I’ve learned that Hargreaves is first and foremost a fluid athlete with quick hips and feather-light footwork. He looks the part in terms of confidence and swagger for the corner back position and seems comfortable in both man and zone coverage. He displays a knack for making plays while the ball is in the air and never seems to shy away from a fight. Here’s a perfect example…

 He’s a terrier in the run game, making him a good fit in this division considering how Dallas and Washington love to run the football.

Things get trickier for Philly after the first round because they don’t have a second rounder, however they possess two third rounders only two selections apart. With 77 and 79, the Eagles would be wise to address the holes that they have on both sides of the trenches. Both the interior offensive and defensive lines need to be rectified, and they could still obtain instant starting caliber players with these two picks. Expect Philly to consider Vidal Alexander of LSU, Joshua Garnett of Stanford, and Connor McGovern of Missouri to fill their void at guard, while Chris Jones of Mississippi State, and Hassan Ridgeway of Texas could be in play in the third round for the Eagles if they want to add another body to their underwhelming defensive line.

Washington Redskins

2015 Record: 9-7

2016 Draft Picks: 21, 53, 84, 120, 158, 187, 232, 242

After a surprising turn of events, the unlikely Washington Redskins came away with the NFC East title, posting a division leading 9-7 record. They enter spring in a unique situation, looking to build off of their division title, while drafting in a position that is far better than the actual talent on their roster. Luckily for Washington, their biggest positional need happens to be the deepest position in the draft.

Most expect the Redskins to use the 21st pick on a run-stuffing nose tackle, and I do not disagree. With the loss of Terrance “Potroast” Knighton and Jason Hatcher this offseason, the Skins are hurting badly on the defensive line. I believe that the best fit for them at 21 would be Jarran Reed, a nose tackle out of Alabama.

On tape, there isn't a single play where Reed isn't fully engaged with his hands underneath an offensive lineman's pads. He always commands a double team, and has the functional strength to anchor a defensive line as either a nose or a one technique. While limited as a pass rusher, there might not be a better inside clogger in this class than Reed. On this play here, big Mr. Reed plays with his head up and has a good sense of action going on in the backfield. He executes full arm extension and is able to control the offensive lineman at the point of attack…

Expect him to enter Washington and start from day one, serving as one of the best run-stuffers in the division for years to come.

As for the rest of the Redskins draft, they are expected to fill their glaring need at center right after the first round, targeting Ryan Kelly of Alabama, Nick Martin of Notre Dame, and Jack Allen of Michigan State from rounds two to three. They are likely to add another wide receiver in the fourth or fifth, while linebacker and defensive back are also two needs that need to be addressed later on in the draft. Players to remember here are wide receivers Kenny Lawler of Cal and Pharaoh Cooper of South Carolina, linebackers Scooby Wright of Arizona, and Tyler Matakevich of Temple, and defensive backs D.J. White of Georgia Tech and Miles Killebrew of Southern Utah.