There are 3 different ways to describe “Team Needs” in the NFL. One, you can talk about clear open holes where you need a starter. Two, you can talk about depth behind your starters. Three, you can talk about an upgrade for a solid player who is already starting. In this article, I’ll be talking about the team needs for the teams that need immediate starters. I’ll also be giving my recommendation on who they should select in the 1st 3 rounds to fill those holes. So, with that said, let’s get right the NFC East team needs for the upcoming 2017 NFL season.
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Dallas Cowboys (picks in the 1st 3 rounds) – 28th, 60th, 92nd.
- Safety – The Cowboys have done a great job at building a good overall team. They’ve done this to the point where I feel Safety is the only starting position of need as they need to replace Barry Church.
28th – Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee
60th – Desmond King, CB/S, Iowa
92nd – Jeremy Sprinkle, TE, Arkansas
New York Giants (picks in the 1st 3 rounds) – 23rd, 55th, 87th.
- Left Tackle – Ereck Flowers would be a perfect RT, but on the left side, he just is overmatched. The Giants must soon realize this and get a tackle early before they end up getting their current QB Eli Manning gets killed.
- Running Back – The opinion on Paul Perkins are completely opposite. Some, like me, thinks he can be part of a good backfield. Some think he should be replaced and he’s in over his head. I think drafting a big back to go with him makes their backfield extremely productive.
- Tight End – Will Tye can catch, but he gives zero yards after the catch. They need a TE who can be dynamic and be a lot more effective than their combination of Tye and Larry Donnell has been. This is more of a want than a need, but it’s a pretty open spot in my mind.
23rd – Ryan Ramczyk, OT, Wisconsin
55th – Bucky Hodges, TE, Virginia Tech
87th – Samaje Perine, RB, Oklahoma
Philadelphia Eagles (picks in the 1st 3 rounds) – 14th, 43rd, 74th.
- 2 Cornerbacks – The Eagles signed Patrick Robinson from the Colts, but that’s about it in terms of what they have a CB. They need to address this position more than one, early. Most teams run nickel for 1/3rd of the time, so one pick won’t do it.
- Running Back – Right now, Mr. Glass, Ryan Mathews, and the diminutive Darren Sproles are all the Eagles have in their backfield. This is a deep draft for RBs and they should be able to get a solid one in round 4. Jeremy McNichols of Boise State comes to mind as a possible selection.
- Wide Receiver – The Eagles addressed WR twice in free agency, but Alshon Jeffrey is only signed to a 1-year deal and Torrey Smith seems to be on the way down. Jordan Matthews has shown he isn’t a true #1 WR, so if I were them, I’d try to get one of the big 3 in the draft.
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14th – Corey Davis, WR, Western Michigan
43rd – Sidney Jones, CB, Washington
74th – Teez Tabor – CB, Florida
Washington Redskins (picks in the 1st 3 rounds) – 17th, 49th, 81st.
- Guard – Currently, Shawn Lauvao is the current starter at LG. That being said, should be enough of a statement to show you they have a hole there. The rest of their line is solid. So, getting an interior lineman would be great for both the running and passing attack.
- Cornerback – Bashaud Breeland was not as good as expected last year. At times, he can be moved to free safety in passing situations. Kendall Fuller is not the answer. This is one of the deepest drafts in recent times for DBs, so expect them to take one by day 2 if not day 1.
- Nose Tackle – Ziggy Hood was horrible last year. Even though the Redskins have a solid defense it could look much better if they had a run-stuffing space eater in the middle. There aren’t too many of those types in this draft, but they need to add to the defensive line.
- Running Back – Rob Kelley was okay at RB, but he’s more of a straight-line pounder. If the Skins can add a quicker back, it would have the same effect I mentioned with the Giants above. Like I said before, RB is deep in this draft and they can address this on day 3.
17th – Caleb Brantley, DL, Florida
49th – Dion Dawkins, G, Temple
81st – Ahkello Witherspoon, CB, Colorado
When you look at all the needs of the teams in the NFC East overall, it’s a lot less than you’ll see from some other divisions. Consequently, most of these teams could fill out their team nicely in the draft by day 2. There are some teams we will get to later that it will be practically impossible. It shows that 1, this is a tough division, and 2, they could all be contenders very soon, if they aren’t already. The NFL Draft is just a couple weeks away, so it will be interesting to see the directions these teams go. Enjoy the draft.