FC East
[url=https://www.nfl.com/draft/tracker/teams?team=DAL]
[/url]
Dallas Cowboys Draft picks: Boise State LB
Leighton Vander Esch (No. 19 overall), Texas OG
Connor Williams (No. 50 overall), Colorado State WR
Michael Gallup (No. 81 overall).
Day 1 grade: A-
Day 2 grade: A
Overall grade: A-
The skinny: Vander Esch is a talented off-the-ball linebacker who can move on the outside and slip tackles inside to find the ball. The
Cowboys needed to bolster the position, but should they have found a pass-catcher here instead given their dire need at the position and having their pick of the best? It's a good pick -- if his neck truly is not a problem. Williams will likely play guard for the
Cowboys. He'll join a nasty group up front and has the talent to make Pro Bowls. They found a future starter at receiver with Gallup. His progress as a rookie will have a large effect on how the passing offense performs in 2018.
[url=https://www.nfl.com/draft/tracker/teams?team=NYG]
[/url]
New York Giants Draft picks: Penn State RB
Saquon Barkley (No. 2 overall), UTEP OG
Will Hernandez (No. 34 overall), Georgia LB
Lorenzo Carter (No. 66 overall), N.C. State DT
B.J. Hill (No. 69 overall).
Day 1 grade: A-
Day 2 grade: A
Overall grade: A-
The skinny: Saquon Barkley was the No. 1 prospect on many teams' boards. Pass rusher
Bradley Chubb, taken by Denver three spots later, could prove to be a better investment with this pick because of the attrition at running back, but there's no blaming them for taking Barkley. Hernandez is a brute of a left guard who will lead the way for Barkley. They had signed a couple of veterans inside, but Hernandez was good value near the top of the second round. Carter can play off the ball in coverage and against the run. He'll need to show the
Giants he is committed football. Hill will disrupt things for offenses from his defensive tackle position.
[url=https://www.nfl.com/draft/tracker/teams?team=PHI]
[/url]
Philadelphia Eagles Draft picks: South Dakota State TE
Dallas Goedert (No. 49 overall).
Day 1 grade: A
Day 2 grade: A
Overall grade: A
The skinny: General Manager Howie Roseman took advantage of other teams ignoring
Lamar Jacksonby trading out of the first round so Baltimore could select him. He grabbed the
Ravens' 2019 second-round pick and moved up in the second round on Friday night to select a tight end they could have taken in the first round:
Dallas Goedert. He'll be an outstanding player in the
Jimmy Graham mold. The
Eagleshad given up their second-round pick to the
Browns to get
Carson Wentz two years ago and traded away their third-rounder to Buffalo, giving them just two picks in the first three rounds.
[url=https://www.nfl.com/draft/tracker/teams?team=WAS]
[/url]
Washington Redskins Draft picks: Alabama DT
Da'Ron Payne (No. 13 overall), LSU RB
Derrius Guice (No. 59 overall), Louisville OT
Geron Christian (No. 74 overall).
Day 1 grade: B
Day 2 grade: A-
Overall grade: B+
The skinny: Payne wasn't overly productive in college, but his ability to stop the run was desperately needed for the league's worst run defense. If he continues to improve, he and former Tide teammate
Jonathan Allen could be a great one-two punch. The
Redskins took a chance on running back
Derrius Guice, who was tough to tackle at the college level. They needed a true bellcow back in Washington, and now they have one who runs angry and will no doubt carry a large chip on his shoulder for dropping in the draft. Christian played both sides of the line in Bobby Petrino's offense at Louisville, and his athleticism made fans of scouts across the league. He'll have to up his game to handle the strength of pro defensive ends.
