The 2022 NFL Draft concluded on Saturday, April 30, and with gains for the Philadelphia Eagles, how does the remainder of the NFC East stack up?
Last season, the NFC East was one of the worst divisions in the league. As a whole, they totaled 32 wins and 36 losses. With each team’s new additions, the 2022 season may pan out much differently now.
2022 NFC EAST DRAFT GRADES
Philadelphia Eagles — Grade: A-
- Round 1 (13): Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia
- Round 2 Trade: AJ Brown, WR, Tennessee Titans
- Round 2 (51): Cam Jurgens, C, Nebraska
- Round 3 (83): Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia
- Round 6 (188): Kyron Johnson, LB, Kansas
- Round 6 (198): Grant Calcaterra, TE, SMU
Whether you love or hate Howie Roseman, he pulled off one hell of a draft this past weekend. The Eagles’ blockbuster selection was Tennessee Titan’s wide receiver AJ Brown. The receiver position was the most sought-after in Philadelphia and in the trade itself this year. After the top receivers came off the board, Roseman traded the No. 18 and 101 overall picks, signing Brown to a four-year, $100 million contract. Brown, who is one of the best receivers in the league, has proven himself over his last three seasons. He’s a slick route runner, good with hands, and quick. The Eagles’ plan was to be all-in with Jalen Hurts and build around him, and they confirmed that with Brown’s trade.
Philadelphia’s other first round draft pick was Jordan Davis. His massive size paired with his athleticism provides him with powerful potential in seasons to come. Their third-round pick, Nakobe Dean was a steal. He’s a first-round caliber linebacker, who was left on the board due to injury, however, that doesn’t seem to be a concern for Roseman.
Roseman stated, “Obviously he’s played a lot in the SEC, and that’s a physical football conference. But as he was falling, we continued to have the conversations with our doctors and from their perspective Nakobe was gonna be ready to go. He’s gonna be ready to go this week and we’re bringing him to Philadelphia for our rookie minicamp. Obviously there’s a huge level of excitement to get a player like Nakobe Dean on our football team.”
The only odd pick was center, Cam Jurgens. However, the Eagles are always trying to build upon their offensive line and with the lingering retirement of Jason Kelce, the pick isn’t all that bad. Jurgens is versatile and he’s fast, clocking the fifth-fastest time in the 40-yard dash (4.92) among offensive linemen. Kelce, himself, also endorsed him, stating that out of all the guys, he compared the most with Jurgen’s.
I wanted to give the Eagles an “A”, but they didn’t address their cornerback position.
Dallas Cowboys — Grade: B-
- Round 1 (24): Tyler Smith, OT, Tulsa
- Round 2 (56): Sam Williams, DE, Ole Miss
- Round 3 (88): Jalen Tolbert, WR, South Alabama
- Round 4 (129): Jake Ferguson, TE, Wisconsin
- Round 5 (155): Matt Waletzko, OT, North Dakota
- Round 5 (167): DaRon Bland, CB, Fresno State
- Round 5 (176): Damone Clark, LB, LSU
- Round 5 (178): John Ridgeway, DT, Arkansas
- Round 6 (193): Devin Harper, LB, Oklahoma State
The Cowboys got off to a rough start after selecting Tyler Smith in the first-round. Last season, Smith was the most penalized player in Division I football with 16 total penalties, 12 for holding. There’s no guarantee that he will contribute to the team the way Dallas thought he would, but all we can do is wait and see.
Their selections picked up in round three and five, with the addition of Jalen Tolbert and Matt Waletzko. Tolbert will likely be the third receiver behind CeeDee Lam and Michael Gallup. Though he lacks speed in comparison to his teammates, his length makes him a valuable catcher. Waletzko is massive. At 6-foot-8, 312 pounds, his strength will be one to watch. He can also make the switch to right tackle.
Dallas has had better drafts; this year just wasn’t one of them.
Washington Commanders — Grade: C+
- Round 1 (16): Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State
- Round 2 (47): Phidarian Mathis, DT, Alabama
- Round 3 (98): Brian Robinson Jr., RB, Alabama
- Round 4 (113): Percy Butler, S, Louisiana
- Round 5 (144): Sam Howell, QB, North Carolina
- Round 5 (149): Cole Turner, TE, Nevada
- Round 7 (230): Chris Paul, OT, Tulsa
- Round 7 (240): Christian Holmes, CB, Oklahoma State
Washington’s best pick was by far quarterback Sam Howell in the fifth-round. Howell was probably the best quarterback in the draft after Kenny Pickett and if all fails with Carson Wentz again, Howell could land the starting role.
Wide receiver Jahan Dotson was a bit of a reach, but he has experience with average quarterbacks and may pair well with Terry McLaurin.
The Commanders also love a guy from Alabama. This year, they took two — Phidarian Mathis and Brian Robinson. Mathis had a good 2021 season, but made little progress elsewhere.
I think Washington could have done much better, but it works in favor for the remainder of the division.
New York Giants — Grade: B+
- Round 1 (5): Kayvon Thibodeaux, Edge, Oregon
- Round 1 (7): Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
- Round 2 (43): Wan’Dale Robinson, WR, Kentucky
- Round 2 (67): Josh Ezeudu, G, North Carolina
- Round 3 (81): Cordale Flott, CB, LSU
- Round 4 (112): Daniel Bellinger, TE, San Diego State
- Round 4 (114): Dane Belton, S, Iowa
- Round 5 (146): Micah McFadden, LB, Indiana
- Round 5 (173): Marcus McKethan, G, North Carolina
- Round 6 (182): Darrian Beavers, LB, Cincinnati
My initial thought before the draft was that the Giants had too many picks and quantity over quality was going to be their demise. However, I was wrong. New York started off the draft strong with their two first-round picks, Kayvon Thibodeaux and Evan Neal. Though general manager Joe Schoen risked losing Neal, he was able to secure both guys who will become game-changing players for the foreseeable future.
In a series of moves, the Giants traded No. 36 to the New York Jets for No. 38 and No. 146. Shortly after, they moved No. 38 to the Atlanta Falcons for No. 43 and No. 114. With the No. 114 and No. 146 selections, New York was able to grab Dane Belton and Micah McFadden.
Where they fell a bit short was in round two. Wan’Dale Robinson is quick, but he’s small. Most prospects thought he wouldn’t make the top-100. The Giants then went and drafted two players from North Carolina who were part of the offensive line blamed for quarterback Sam Howell’s failure.
Certainly, there were a few odd picks, but Thibodeaux and Neal made the Giants draft a success.
The Philadelphia Eagles certainly won the draft for the NFC East. It’s only a matter of time before fans see how each team’s draft selections will play out and who will win the NFC East for the 2022 season. There has not been a back-to-back champion since 2004, when the Philadelphia Eagles won four consecutive titles (2001-2004).
