2023 NFC East NFL Draft Team Needs | Key Losses, Key Gains, List of Draft Picks, and More!

Dallas Cowboys

Draft Picks: 26, 58, 90, 129, 169, 212, 244
Team Needs: RB, DL, LB, DB, OT
Key Players Gained: Stephon Gilmore (CB)-trade, Brandin Cooks (WR)-trade
Key Players Lost: Connor McGovern (OG), Dalton Schultz (TE), Luke Gifford (LB), Noah Brown (WR), Ezekiel Elliott (RB), Anthony Brown (CB)
Franchise Tag: Tony Pollard (RB)

Losing Ezekiel Elliott to free agency is a big deal. He still remains unsigned, so there is still a chance he ends up coming back. Although, I feel like his price tag and the fact that they franchised Tony Pollard will lead the Cowboys to draft another RB instead. Their DL is below-average NFL quality, and they could definitely upgrade the position with an early draft pick. At some point, they’ll also need to start thinking about the future of their secondary. Bringing in Stephon Gilmore is great. The Cowboys will have 2 of the better corners in the entire league this season. Yet, after this season, nearly everyone in that secondary will be due a payday including Stephon Gilmore, Jayron Kearse, Jourdan Lewis, Malik Hooker, and their ballhawk star, Trevon Diggs. Maybe one or two of those guys might get re-signed, but I doubt the whole lot will be there beyond this season. The Cowboys will need to bring in young talent to groom for the future.

New York Giants

Draft Picks: 25, 57, 89, 128, 160, 172, 209, 240, 243, 254
Team Needs: OC, LG, CB, ILB, WR, RB, DT
Key Players Gained: Bobby Okereke (LB), Rakeem Nunez-Roches (DT), Parris Campbell (WR), Darren Waller (TE)-trade
Key Players Lost: Nick Gates (OG), Julian Love (FS), Jon Feliciano (OC), Kenny Galloday (WR)
Franchise Tag: Saquon Barkley (RB)-*unsigned*

The Giants took care of QB Daniel Jones and locked him up for the next 4 years. They decided to put the franchise tag on Saquon Barkley which he has yet to sign. The team might be forced to draft a RB early if they can’t make Barkley happy. In the meantime, there are several other positions that need to be addressed. What better way to help your franchise player than to select OL early. They are in position to take one of the best guards in O’Cyrus Torrence, or they could take the best center in this year’s draft class in John Michael Schmitz. One of the more mocked positions to the Giants is WR. Their biggest concern at WR is that last year’s draft pick, Wan’Dale Robinson might miss some playing time early in the season after suffering an ACL tear. So, adding a slot receiver would fit that need. I think ILB and CB are a bit more pressing of a need because both positions could stand to have vibrant young talent who can compete for starting spots. One more thing to note is that the Giants have a lot of draft capital to work with. If they have seriously fallen in love with a prospect, be prepared to see them move some picks.

Philadelphia Eagles

Draft Picks: 10, 30, 62, 94, 219, 248
Team Needs: RB, DL, RG, ILB, FS,
Key Players Gained: Marcus Mariota (QB), Terrell Edmunds (S)
Key Players Lost: Javon Hargrave (DT), Andre Dillard (OT), Miles Sanders (RB), Isaac Seumalo (OG), TJ Edwards (LB), Marcus Epps (S), Kyzir White (OLB), Chauncey Gardner-Johnson (S), Zach Pascal (WR), Gardner Minshew (QB)

Now that Jalen Hurts is signed, the Eagles can breathe a breath of fresh air as they tend to other needs in the draft. The team is in position to draft RB Bijan Robinson. If they don’t, they are losing out. If they want to win this draft, they need to make sure that Robinson doesn’t fall to one of their rivals. Take him. Take him at 10th overall. Next, tend to needs on the DL. The team couldn’t hold on to Javon Hargrave because his price tag was too much. Last year’s first rounder, Jordan Davis, needs to step up his game if he’s going to fill those shoes. Nevertheless, getting another DL needs to be a priority. There are a few positions where a rookie could get significant playing time this season including RG and ILB. There’s some competition as to who might play RG this season, especially after adding Isaac Seumalo, but I feel like that’s completely up in the air. Philly has high hopes regarding Nakobe Dean manning the middle of the field this season. They will mainly need depth and guys who can contribute on special teams. One more thought to note is that Philly has four picks in the top 100 and a HUGE gap between the 3rd and 7th round. It’s tough to imagine them watching over 100 picks go by and not making a move.

Washington Commanders

Draft Picks: 16, 47, 97, 118, 150, 193, 215, 233
Team Needs: QB, NB, OL, LB, S, Edge, WR, TE
Key Players Gained: Andrew Wylie (OT), Nick Gates (OG), Jacoby Brissett (QB), Cody Barton (LB), Trenton Scott (OG)
Key Players Lost: Cole Holcomb (LB), Taylor Heinicke (QB), Wes Schweitzer (OG)…Free Agents: Carson Wentz (QB), JD McKissic (RB)

There has been so much focus on the ownership and the sale of the team as of late. As that gets finalized, we can turn our attention to the breakdown of the roster. The Carson Wentz experiment didn’t work and although I liked the competitive heart that Heinicke brought to the table, he departed in free agency. The response that we are lately getting from the team is that they have confidence in Sam Howell going forward as their QB. I can see that. The response that I received from the scouts at training camp is that Howell displayed good tenacity and was ready for the responsibility. Jacoby Brissett was a free-agent acquisition who is now part of the equation. All of that being said, I wouldn’t rule out a QB in round one. Most of the top-rated QBs would be an upgrade from the roster.

DB & OL are positions that could also use an upgrade. A CB like Cam Smith would fit Washington’s DB need perfectly. Smith has exceptional athleticism and versatility in the secondary to play the nickel spot if necessary. Kendall Fuller is in the last year of his contract, and I don’t see him returning in 2024. The interior of the OL is the most concerning. They could potentially get a new starter at center in the draft, and I would also find a player with some flexibility to play RG or RT.

Chase Young and Montez Sweat are in the final year of their rookie contracts with options on the table. Sweat has been the most productive because he’s been healthy. There’s some thought that the team will keep one and trade the other. Young needs to have a healthy season to stick around. Washington has solid backup Edge rushers although recent news of Shaka Toney’s suspension might be cause for a late-round selection, maybe someone they can groom for the future.