2024 NFL Draft- NFC East Grades

All 257 picks have been made in the NFL Draft. Who won? Who lost? Draft Nation is here to let you know who stretched too far for a player and who found a diamond in the rough.

Today we review the NFC East:

Dallas Cowboys

Round 1 (29) T- Tyler Guyton, Oklahoma

Guyton has the athleticism and frame to play tackle in the NFL. However, he has the look of someone who may need a year to transition and work on his game before he starts.

Round 2 (56) DE- Marshawn Kneeland, Western Michigan

The Cowboys started to rebuild their defensive line after losing several pieces in the off-season. Kneeland explodes off the snap and has the potential to be a disruptive pass rusher.

Round 3 (73) OL- Cooper Beebe, Kansas State

Dallas continued to add to their offensive line and selected one of the top interior lineman in the class. Beebe was rated by many services as the top guards in the country and Dallas has visions of him playing guard and eventually taking over the center position.

Round 3 (87) LB- Marist Liufau, Notre Dame

Liufau is an aggressive linebacker, who at times, can be out of control and not break down properly. This is a definite stretch for a guy who will not play much linebacker out of the gate and will be most likely a special teams player for the first couple seasons.

Round 5 (174) DB- Calen Carson, Wake Forest

Caelen Carson is a physical cornerback who should fit in nicely with starters DaRon Bland and Trevon Diggs.

Round 6 (216) WR- Ryan Flournoy, Southeast Missouri

Flournoy should be able to produce in a limited role at receiver for Dallas. His reliable hands will get him on the field.

Round 7 (233) T- Nathan Thomas, Louisiana

Thomas is a mauler who will need to work on his mechanics and pass protection to have a shot at making the Cowboys roster.

Round 7 (244) DT- Justin Rogers, Auburn

Rogers was a value pick. He struggled in 2023 with the Tigers and if he can rekindle the way he played in 2021-2022 he can make the squad.

Final Grade (C)

Draft Nation wasn’t impressed with the Cowboys haul. Their best pick was the round three choice of Cooper Beebe. Shocking they did not use one of their mid-round picks on a running back.

New York Giants

Round 1 (6) WR- Malik Nabers, LSU

Once they decided to stick with Daniel Jones at quarterback, the Giants needed to give him a fighter’s chance. Malik Nabers would be the #1 receiver in most drafts and the Giants added his big play ability to an offense that needs it. If last year’s 3rd round pick (Jalin Hyatt) can improve, the Giants are starting to build a quality receiver group.

Round 2 (47) S-Tyler Nubin, Minnesota

Giants improve their secondary by taking the best safety in the draft. Nubin is versatile and can be moved all around the field. He should start day one.

Round 3 (70) CB- Andru Phillips, Kentucky

The Giants nabbed cornerback Deonte Banks in the first round last year out of Maryland and have continued to improve their cornerback position with Phillips. Phillips is a little undersized but has the coverage skills to start across from Banks sooner rather than later.

Round 4 (107) TE- Theo Johnson, Penn State

Theo Johnson is an excellent pick for the Giants offense. He gives Jones a big target with strong hands and athleticism. With the uncertainty of Darren Waller’s future, this pick makes sense.

Round 5 (166) RB- Tyrone Tracy Jr., Purdue

After losing running back Saquon Barkley this off-season, the Giants look to add some versatility to their backfield. Tracy’s 4.48 time in the 40-yard-dash will help add another dimension behind Devin Singletary and Eric Gray.

Round 6 (183) LB- Darius Muasau, UCLA

The Giants make an excellent value pick in the 6th round here. Muasau is a well rounded linebacker who won’t wow fans, but he knows what to do. He will be part of a rotation in a year after serving on special teams.

Final Grade- (B+)

The Giants had a very strong draft. Getting Malik Nabers and Theo Johnson will help Daniel Jones and the offense. Tyler Nubin and Andru Phillips will both be big producers on defense in 2024.

Philadelphia Eagles

Round 1 (22) CB- Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo

The Eagles secondary fell apart in the 2nd half of the season of 2023 and their leadership was going to make sure that does not happen again. They selected the cornerback with the highest upside here. Mitchell skyrocketed up draft boards since his performance at the Senior Bowl and again at the combine.

Round 2 (40) CB- Cooper DeJean, Iowa

The Eagles not only improved their cornerback position, they also added another first round talent in round two in Cooper DeJean. He add sa dimension to their kick and punt returns and can be used in the slot, over an x-receiver and at safety. If he went off the board in the first round no one would have questioned the choice. instead, the Eagles get a steal in the early part of round two.

Round 3 (94) LB- Jalyx Hunt, Houston Christian

He has all the intangibles to succeed in the NFL. He is explosive, athletic and has the strength to play at this level but will need some time to develop.

Round 4 (127) RB- Will Shipley, Clemson

Shipley will add a dynamic to the Eagles backfield that they were missing in 2023. He will mix in nicely with Saquon Barkley and Kenneth Gainwell and he can be used in the slot, in the flat and as a standard back. He has excellent hands out of the backfield and will line up wide from time to time.

Round 5 (152) WR- Ainias Smith, Texas A&M

A value pick in the 5th round, Smith can and will produce for the Eagles in a 4th or 5th receiver role in 2024. He has the tools to become a starter down the road.

Round 5 (155) LB- Jeremiah Trotter,Jr., Clemson

Another excellent value pick, Jeremiah Trotter Jr. got to go home to Philadelphia where his dad starred for several years. He will have time to develop and learn from Nakobe Dean and Devin White. He has the tools and makeup to become a long term starter.

Round 5 (172) G- Trevor Keegan, Michigan

Philadelphia grabbed Michigan's Trevor Keegan at pick at #172 hoping he will add much needed depth to the interior line. And much like Trotter, he might be a 5th rounder who is a future starter in the league.

Round 6 (185) WR- Johnny Wilson, Florida State

Ok, the Eagles are just showing off at this point. Wilson is another great value pick in round 6. He is 6’6” and ran an impressive 4.52 at the combine. The Eagles should find a way for him to get involved in the offense.

Round 6 (190) C- Dylan McMahon, N.C. State

McMahon is just a depth pick at this point of the draft. He has the versatility to stick on the offensive line and has played all 5 positions.

Final Grade (A)

The Eagles had one of the league’s best drafts. Getting Quinyon Mithcell and Cooper DeJean was impressive in the first two rounds. Getting Smith, Trotter and Keegan in round 5 may make this draft an A+

Washington Commanders

Round 1 (2) QB- Jayden Daniels, LSU

The Commanders drafted the most exciting quarterback in the class at #2. The worry here is keeping him healthy. Daniels has a thin frame and may not be able to withstand the hits. But Washington got a game changing QB.

Round 2 (36) DT- Jer’Zhan Newton, Illinois

This was not a need for the Commanders who already have Jonathan Allen and DaRon Payne. However, this is a first round talent that Washington did not want to pass on. Newton has the ability to be a game changer and will give the Commanders plenty of options at the defensive tackle position.

Round 2 (50) CB- Mike Sainristil, Michigan

This is a phenomenal pick for Washington. Sainristil is a fierce competitor who will step right into the nickelback role and produce for the Commanders.

Round 2 (53) TE- Ben Sinnott, Kansas State

The Commanders did a great job with their (3) 2nd round picks. Sinnott is a Hunter Henry type receiver who could be a weapon for Jayden Daniels and the Commanders offense. Zach Ertz is getting a little long in the tooth and Sinnott will be TE1 in a season or two.

Round 3 (67) OL- Brandon Coleman, TCU

Brandon Coleman has the versatility to play inside and out. He is 6’6” and had a much better 2022 season than he did in 2023.

Round 3 (100) WR- Luke McCaffrey, Rice

McCaffrey is a natural athlete who understands how to read zones and find the open spots on the field. He has excellent blood lines and will be a nice addition to Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson.

Round 5 (139) LB- Jordan Magee, Temple

Magee has a high motor and is an effective tackler. He will start off as a quality depth piece that will be a core special teams player.

Round 5 (161) S- Dominique Hampton, Washington

Dominique Hampton is a 6’3” safety who will be utilized in a Dan Quinn defense. A nice value pick late in round five.

Round 7 (222) DE- Javontae Jean-Baptiste, Notre Dame

Javontae Jean-Baptiste will be a longshot to make the Commanders roster. He is on the raw side and could be a solid practice squad addition.

Final Grade (B)

The second round pick of Newton was a luxury pick as they had a chance to add a quality offensive lineman or fill another need. Newton is going to be a solid player in the league, but was not needed at this time.