The NFC East will be under a microscope during the first round of the NFL Draft, as the New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles each own two picks in the top 20 selections. The Dallas Cowboys and Washington Commanders will also make picks in the top 25 selections of Day 1. With team needs in mind, here is PFN’s draft preview for the NFC East.
NFC East 2022 NFL Draft Preview
The Giants are the lone team in the division with a new GM and new head coach. While they’ve been cap-strapped to start their new era, New York owns the fifth and seventh picks in the first round. The Eagles also own two Day 1 selections (15th and 18th overall) after making a blockbuster pre-draft trade with the New Orleans Saints this month.
The Commanders (11th overall) and Cowboys (24th overall) will also look to bolster their respective rosters with notable prospects in the first round.
Washington Commanders: Team needs, draft targets, salary cap, and prospects to watch
Cap Space (as of April 5): $4.08 million (per NFLPA)
2022 NFL Draft Picks: 1-11, 2-47, 4-113, 6-189, 7-230, 7-239
In March, the Commanders traded a pair of Day 2 picks for QB Carson Wentz. While the franchise QB has flamed out in two different NFL cities over the past year or so, he’s still considered a starting-caliber signal-caller. Now, the Commanders need to surround Wentz with weapons.
The Commanders enter the draft with needs at wideout, safety, tight end, and linebacker. Ohio State receivers Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson should be at the top of the Commanders’ board in the first round. Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton should also appeal to the team as a versatile chess piece on defense.
The Commanders’ brain trust is under a lot of pressure to win now, and the 11th overall pick will play a major role in the make-or-break season that it faces this year.
Dallas Cowboys: Team needs, draft targets, salary cap, and prospects to watch
Cap Space (as of April 5): $3.96 million (per NFLPA)
2022 NFL Draft Picks: 1-24, 2-56, 3-88, 4-129, 5-155, 5-167, 5-176, 5-178, 6-193
The Cowboys were forced to trade away top wideout Amari Cooper due to salary cap issues in March. After also losing wideout Cedrick Wilson Jr. and defensive end Randy Gregory, the Cowboys have clear needs at receiver and edge rusher. While James Washington and Dante Fowler were added to the mix, they are short-term solutions to long-term problems.
The Cowboys are likely to address the wideout need early in the draft. North Dakota State’s Christian Watson, Arkansas’ Treylon Burks, and Penn State’s Jahan Dotson should be the targets in that range.
Georgia defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt could also be an option if he falls into the 20s. The Cowboys moved on from right tackle La’el Collins last month, and Northern Iowa’s Trevor Penning could be a worthwhile replacement.
Philadelphia Eagles: Team needs, draft targets, salary cap, and prospects to watch
Cap Space (as of April 5): $16.48 million (per NFLPA)
2022 NFL Draft Picks: 1-15, 1-18, 2-51, 3-83, 3-101, 4-124, 5-154, 5-162, 5-166, 7-237
The Eagles made a jaw-dropping pre-draft trade with the New Orleans Saints earlier this month, swapping four first-round picks in the process. The Eagles were able to extend the value of their previous first-round trades by pushing their third Day 1 choice into next year. Now, the Eagles have two picks in the first round in each of the next two drafts.
With two picks in the middle of the first round, the Eagles can sure up multiple positions with top-tier prospects. They have a major need at edge rusher, and FSU’s Jermaine Johnson II, Purdue’s George Karlaftis, and Georgia’s Travon Walker should be targets at that position.
They also have needs in the secondary, so LSU’s Derek Stingley Jr., Clemson’s Andrew Booth Jr., and Auburn’s Roger McCreary could be in play with one of their two selections. If they choose to go with a wideout in the first round for a third consecutive offseason, Dotson, Wilson, Olave, and USC’s Drake London make sense.
New York Giants: Team needs, draft targets, salary cap, and prospects to watch
Cap Space (as of April 5): $13,986 (per NFLPA)
2022 NFL Draft Picks: 1-5, 1-7, 2-36, 3-67, 3-81, 4-112, 5-147, 5-173, 6-182
The Giants own two top-10 picks, and those selections play in the strength of the class — the trenches. New York will look to find a long-term answer at right tackle, while also aiming to plug a hole on their defensive line.
The cap-strapped regime will need to get off on the right foot with their top two picks. At offensive tackle, Alabama’s Evan Neal and NC State’s Ikem Ekwonu should be the top targets. On the defensive line, Karlaftis, Johnson, Georgia’s Jordan Davis, and Oregon’s Kayvon Thibodeaux should be the primary options.
The Giants also need safety help, so Hamilton could be in play with one of the two top picks.