NFC East Team Needs

Story posted March 21, 2018 in CommRadio, Sports, NFL Draft by Camden Tofil

The NFL Draft is more than a month away and I look at what each team needs in one of the toughest divisions in the NFL, the NFC East.

Dallas Cowboys:
Needs: WR, LB, OG, S, DT

The Cowboys are coming off a disappointing season in 2017, but this team is very talented and will look to rebound in 2018. The number one need for Dallas is to figure out what to do with Dez Bryant and find his replacement. Bryant’s cap hit and production don’t match so he is a candidate for release.

Sean Lee is a fantastic NFL linebacker, but he can’t stay healthy. Dallas should look to find some depth at that position. The Cowboys’ dominant offensive line struggled some last season and could use depth at the guard position.

Dallas possesses one of the worst secondaries in the NFL and could use upgrades to their safety position. And lastly, outside of DeMarcus Lawrence and Taco Charlton, the Dallas defensive line is thin and should be looking to bolster depth in the later rounds.

New York Giants-
Needs: OL, QB, RB, DL, LB

Speaking of disappointing teams in 2017, the New York Giants were a trendy Super Bowl pick, but were a disaster and hold the No. 2 pick in the Draft. The first need for the Giants is offensive line help. Signing Nate Solder definitely helps but look for them to take one or two offensive linemen.

With Eli Manning getting older New York could look to find his replacement and sit him for a couple years behind Manning. UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen has been a popular pick for the No. 2 selection. New York should also look to find a young and talented running back to pair with newly signed Jonathan Stewart.


The Giants need help in their front seven as they lack depth at the middle linebacker and defensive end position. Trading for Alec Ogletree helps, but expect the Giants to draft a linebacker in the middle of the draft.

Philadelphia Eagles-
Needs: WR, TE, OL, CB, P

The Super Bowl champions hold the 32nd pick in the first round and have very few needs on this team. One is finding Carson Wentz another weapon on the outside as the Eagles traded Torrey Smith to Carolina and could use another playmaker. Philadelphia lost tight end Trey Burton to free agency and cut Brent Celek, so the Eagles should be in play for a tight end in the second to third round.

Philly may look to find a future replacement for left tackle Jason Peters who is 36 years old and is coming off an ACL tear. The Eagles have several cornerbacks on the free agent market and while most of them are expected to return, they make look to bolster depth in the draft.

And last longtime punter Donnie Jones retired this offseason, so the Eagles will be in the market for punter either via free agency or late in the draft.

Washington Redskins-
Needs: DL, CB, WR, RB, QB

Washington has gone through massive changes this offseason including replacing quarterback Kirk Cousins with Alex Smith.  The Redskins need help on the defensive side of the ball and look to defensive tackles and cornerbacks. Washington was terrible against the run last season and could look at Washington nose tackle Vita Vea to help fill that void.

Likely losing Bashaud Breeland in free agency opens a need at the cornerback position. Washington will look to pair someone with Josh Norman. The Redskins lack talent at the receiver position outside of Jamison Crowder. Watch for the Redskins to pick a wide receiver early in this draft.

Washington lacks a star in the backfield. While Robert Kelley and Chris Thompson are solid players they aren’t game changers. The Redskins should look to take a back in one of the deepest running back classes in a while. Lastly, insiders believe Washington might look to take a quarterback late in the draft to groom behind Alex Smith for a couple years.

 

Camden Tofil is a freshman majoring in advertising. To contact him, email camdentofil@gmail.com.