NFL Draft 2012: NFC East First-Round Draft Grades

Dallas Cowboys – A

The Cowboys had several obvious needs coming into draft day but perhaps the biggest was improving their secondary. When the opportunity came to get Morris Claiborne, the Cowboys didn’t hesitate and went up to get him. They had to give up a second round pick to do it though which is the only reason this grade isn’t an A+ because as I mentioned before the Cowboys do have multiple needs and really needed to hold onto that second round pick.

New York Giants – C-

I know – the grade is harsh. At 32, the Giants had a number of players available who they could have either taken or used to leverage a trade. The Giants do have a massive hole at right tackle and they had a couple of very good tackles in Bobby Massie and Cordy Glenn fall to them. However, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers had jumped into 31 and taken running back Doug Martin and in my opinion the Giants panicked and took a running back too early. This draft is pretty deep in running backs and there was the option to trade up later in the second so I am not a fan of taking David Wilson 32nd overall at all.

Philadelphia Eagles – A-

The Eagles had their sights set on Fletcher Cox and did what they had to do to get him. I have to say though that I wonder why they felt the need to trade up for a defensive tackle when they already have a very good pairing in Cullen Jenkins and Mike Patterson. Also, they have an obvious need at linebacker which could have been addressed. With that being said, Fletcher Cox is a transcendent talent at the defensive tackle position and gives Philadelphia the chance to use a three player rotation at the position so they still get an excellent grade.

Washington Redskins – A+

The pick of Robert Griffin III may have been expected for weeks but that doesn’t take anything away from the fact that he is right up there with Andrew Luck in the debate of who the best prospect of the draft is. Franchise quarterbacks are hard to come by and there is little argument that in terms of ability and quarterback skill RG3 deserves to be respected as one. On a side note, Robert Griffin III was clearly the crowd favourite of the two top picks as his name was chanted even as Luck was chosen first overall.

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