Dallas Cowboys: B-
1.) Byron Jones, CB, UConn
2.) Randy Gregory, DE, Nebraska
3.) Chaz Green, OT, Florida
4.) Damien Wilson, ILB, Minnesota
5.) Ryan Russell, DE, Purdue
7.) Mark Nzeocha, OLB, Wyoming
7.) Laurence Gibson, OT, Virginia Tech
7.) Geoff Swaim, TE, Texas
Bottom Line: The Cowboys get a “B” grade just because of the value they got in drafting Gregory. How much sense it makes to draft a defensive end with red flags for off-field incidents, while you are currently managing a team with a veteran defensive end who has all sorts of red flags for off-field incidents is whole other can of worms. Jones, in the first is solid but of all the first-round cornerbacks, he certainly has the most to prove. Green is a serviceable backup. Taking a tackle in the third was questionable when more pressing needs to address. Russell, is a developmental pick. His best sack total came as a sophomore with four.
New York Giants: B+
1.) Ereck Flowers, OT, Miami
2.) Landon Collins, S, Alabama
3.) Owamagbe Odighizuwa, DE, UCLA
5.) Mykkele Thompson, S, Texas
6.) Geremy Davis, WR, UConn
7.) Bobby Hart, OG, Florida St.
Bottom Line: The Giants did a stellar job drafting. They did reach on Flowers at ninth-overall but, regardless, he will be a Day One starter and make an impact along the line for the G-Men. Collins in the second-round is tremendous value and he too could very well be a Day One starter. One of my favorite players in the draft, Odighizuwa, fell into the laps of the Giants in the third-round. Old defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo is back with the Giants and he loves his pass rushers. Jason Pierre-Paul, is on a one year deal and Odighizuwa could develop into his replacement should the Giants not want to break the bank on a long-term deal for JPP.
Philadelphia Eagles: B
1.) Nelson Agholor, WR, USC
2.) Eric Rowe, CB, Utah
3.) Jordan Hicks, ILB, Texas
6.) JaCorey Shepherd, CB, Kansas
6.) Randall Evans, CB, Kansas St.
7.) Brian Mihalik, DE, Boston College
Bottom Line: The Eagles and head coach Chip Kelly addressed their two biggest needs in the first two-rounds of the draft by taking Agholor and Rowe. Agholor, should make an immediate impact in a very thin receiving corps and Rowe has the versatility to make an impact at corner or safety. I wouldn’t be surprised if Kelly played Rowe more at safety. However, selecting Hicks in the third-round is a bit of a risk. While he is coming off a big year (107 tackles), injuries limited him to just nine games combined over 2012 and 2013. Shepherd and Mihalik late in the draft, gives the Eagles a pair of quality prospects who could develop into something.
Washington Redskins: B
1.) Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa
2.) Preston Smith, DE, Mississippi St.
3.) Matt Jones, RB, Florida
4.) Jamison Crowder, WR, Duke
4.) Arie Kouandjio, OG, Alabama
5.) Martrell Spaight, OLB, Arkansas
6.) Kyshoen Jarrett, S, Virginia Tech
6.) Tevin Mitchel, CB, Arkansas
6.) Evan Spencer, WR, Ohio St.
7.) Austin Reiter, C, USF
Bottom Line: It has been years since the Skins have been able to experience a full draft due to the Robert Griffin III trade and it looks like all that time off has brought a new philosophy: draft smart. The Skins and head coach Jay Gruden focused on the trenches to start the draft and hit it out of the park with proven, steady talent. Scherff, could surely develop into a Pro Bowler at tackle or guard. Taking skill position players in Jones and Crowder was nice as well. Jones, a bit early but he could be a steal. Crowder gives them a shifty slot target to work underneath. Kouandijo, gives them another mauler along their interior. They needed to get meaner in the trenches and succeeded in adding grit to the lines. Spaight and Jarrett need to develop but could be core special teamers to start.
