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The 2024 NFL Draft is days away. What do the teams in the NFC East need?
SB Nation’s division-by-division tour of the 2024 NFL Draft leaves the AFC behind, and moves onto the NFC.
We start in the NFC East, a division with four teams each facing serious questions this offseason. In Washington, how are the Commanders going to address the quarterback position sitting at No. 2 overall? In New York, is quarterback truly in play, and are the Giants absolutely “desperate” for one? In Philadelphia, how do the Eagles bounce back after a late-season swoon?
And in Dallas, what is happening with the Cowboys for this year … and beyond?
Let’s dive into the draft needs for the NFC East, starting with those Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys
OL
DT
RB
WR
LB
So … where are we with the Dallas Cowboys.
The team was not exactly active this offseason, seeing more players depart in free agency than they did make the move to Dallas. Tyron Smith is in New York with the Jets, Tony Pollard is in Tennessee with the Titans, Tyler Biadasz joined the Commanders, defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins is in Seattle, Leighton Vander Esch retired, and Michael Gallup remained a free agent.
While they did add Erick Kendricks, the team could still use help at a number of positions, including offensive line (interior and at the tackle spots), running back, defensive tackle, and wide receiver.
They also have some looming decisions to make. CeeDee Lamb did not report for voluntary workouts this week, with the receiver entering the fifth year of his rookie deal and the parties reportedly have not held “substantial talks” on contract negotiations. Micah Parsons is also absent from voluntary workouts, although that is reportedly more a personal choice than a matter of his contract.
Then there is Dak Prescott.
Under the terms of the quarterback’s contract, 2025 through 2028 are void years under his deal, and he will hit free agency next spring. With questions about the 2025 NFL Draft quarterback class already surfacing, Prescott could have suitors next spring.
Opening the door to the idea that Dallas actually drafts a quarterback early next week.
Dallas Cowboys draft selections
Round 1, Selection 24 (Pick No. 24 overall)
Round 2, Selection 24 (Pick No. 56 overall)
Round 3, Selection 23 (Pick No. 87 overall)
Round 5, Selection 39 (Pick No. 174 overall)
Round 6, Selection 40 (Pick No. 216 overall)
Round 7, Selection 13 (Pick No. 233 overall)
Round 7, Selection 24 (Pick No. 244 overall)
Philadelphia Eagles
CB
TE
EDGE
OL
A glaring need for the Philadelphia Eagles?
Cornerback.
Look no further than the data provided by NFL Mock Draft Database. While mock drafts may be an inexact science, when there is overwhelming consensus for a player — or position in this case — you take note.
According to that resource, the three most-popular selections for the Eagles in the first round are: Clemson cornerback Nate Wiggins, Alabama cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry, and Iowa cornerback Cooper DeJean.
So yes, cornerback is a need.
Howie Roseman may also want to add depth along the offensive line, and the trade of Haason Reddick creates a need at the EDGE spot. Adding another tight end behind Dallas Goedert is an option as well. But expect Philadelphia to start at corner.
Philadelphia Eagles draft selections
Round 1, Selection 22 (Pick No. 22 overall)
Round 2, Selection 18 (Pick No. 50 overall)
Round 2, Selection 21 (Pick No. 53 overall)
Round 4, Selection 20 (Pick No. 120 overall)
Round 5, Selection 26 (Pick No. 161 overall)
Round 5, Selection 36 (Pick No. 171 overall)
Round 5, Selection 37 (Pick No. 172 overall)
Round 6, Selection 34 (Pick No. 210 overall)
Photo by Steve Marcus/Getty Images
New York Giants
QB
WR
RB
S
CB
Do the New York Giants draft one of the top wide receivers at No. 6 overall to help Daniel Jones?
Or do they draft his replacement?
Those two questions — and how the Giants answer them — might tell the story not just of New York’s next few seasons, but the entire 2024 NFL Draft. With Jones coming back from a knee injury, and the team having added Drew Lock this offseason, QB is not a pressing need, but Jones’s injury history coupled with questions about the 2025 crop of QB prospects could push that position to the top of Joe Schoen’s to-do list.
However, the Giants also need help at receiver, and the sixth-overall selection is right in range for one of the top pass catchers in the draft.
Beyond those two positions, help in the secondary as well as depth at running back are items on the team’s needs.
New York Giants draft selections
Round 1, Selection 6 (Pick No. 6 overall)
Round 2, Selection 15 (Pick No. 47 overall)
Round 3, Selection 6 (Pick No. 70 overall)
Round 4, Selection 7 (Pick No. 107 overall)
Round 5, Selection 31 (Pick No. 166 overall)
Round 6, Selection 7 (Pick No. 183 overall)
Washington Commanders
QB
WR
OT
CB
EDGE
Yes, quarterback is a need for the Commanders, and sitting with the second-overall pick, the organization is in good position to address that need. Which quarterback Washington selects remains a matter of debate, with the team having been linked to Drake Maye, Jayden Daniels, and most recently J.J. McCarthy throughout the process.
However, Washington has needs beyond QB. Adding a wide receiver would be a smart investment, and the Commanders could use another tackle to help protect the rookie passer. That has led some in the Washington area, most notably my good pal Adam Epstein of 910 The Fan in Richmond, to argue that the Commanders should package some of their draft capital to try and land an offensive lineman in the first round to help protect that QB.
Defensively, Dan Quinn would love to see another pass rusher on the edge, and perhaps some help at corner, despite the team having addressed those needs already with some free agent additions.
Thankfully for the Commanders and new General Manager Adam Peters, they have a lot of draft capital at their disposal, including six picks in the first three rounds.
Washington Commanders draft selections
Round 1, Selection 2 (Pick No. 2 overall)
Round 2, Selection 4 (Pick No. 36 overall)
Round 2, Selection 8 (Pick No. 40 overall)
Round 3, Selection 3 (Pick No. 67 overall)
Round 3, Selection 14 (Pick No. 78 overall)
Round 3, Selection 36 (Pick No. 100 overall)
Round 5, Selection 4 (Pick No. 139 overall)
Round 5, Selection 17 (Pick No. 152 overall)
Round 7, Selection 2 (Pick No. 222 overall)
