2018 NFL Draft Grades: NFC East

DALLAS COWBOYS

1 (19). Leighton Vander Esch, LB: 6-4, 256; Boise State

2 (50). Connor Williams, OG: 6-5, 296; Texas

3 (81). Michael Gallup, WR: 6-1, 205; Colorado State

4 (116). Dorance Armstrong, DE: 6-4, 257; Kansas

4 (137). Dalton Schultz, TE: 6-5, 244; Stanford

5 (171). Mike White, QB: 6-5, 224; Western Kentucky

6 (193). Chris Covington, OLB: 6-2, 245; Indiana

6 (208). Cedric Wilson, WR: 6-2, 188; Boise State

7 (236). Bo Scarbrough, RB: 6-1, 228; Alabama

Grade: C+

Vander Esch is a smooth athlete and can cover with ease despite defensive end
size, upgrading the LB corps immediately. Will Dallas rue passing on the top
receivers - all available when LVE was selected - and quality safeties in this
class? Relatively depleted by the release of WR Dez Bryant and TE Jason
Witten's expected retirement, the Cowboys landed two possible starters in
Gallup and Tavon Austin (acquired from the Rams for 2018 sixth-round pick).
Dallas stocked its gold-standard offensive line with Williams, a surefire
starter at left guard. Schultz is a block-first second tight end, not a Witten
replacement.

Best Pick Williams. Considered a fringe first-round prospect with sweet feet
and OT background, Williams can start tomorrow at left guard and solidify a
front wall already lined with Pro Bowl talent.

Upside Pick Gallup. Scarbrough could be a LeGarrette Blount-type steal. But
Gallup, a physical and smooth competitor with WR1 qualities including
tackle-busting and magnet hands, stands out for instant opportunity.

NEW YORK GIANTS

1 (2). Saquon Barkley, RB: 6-0, 233, Penn State

2 (34). Will Hernandez, OG: 6-3, 327, UTEP

3 (66). Lorenzo Carter, DE: 6-5, 250, Georgia

3 (69). B.J. Hill, DT: 6-3, 311, N.C. State

4 (108). Kyle Lauletta, QB: 6-3, 222 Richmond

6 (139). R.J. McIntosh, DT: 6-4, 288, Miami (Fla).

Grade: B+

First-year GM Dave Gettleman stocked the trenches and found Eli Manning an
elite running back. Given Manning is 37 and needs elsewhere, Barkley might not
have been the best value on the board at No. 2, but in Gettleman's mind he was
the best player in the draft - and best prospect overall since 1998, when he
gave Peyton Manning a 9.0 grade. Hernandez is a hulking guard and combined
with Barkley helps establish a new identity for the offense. Of the three
D-linemen, Hill's athleticism and motor will make him the standout rookie but
Carter could close fast. McIntosh's pass-rush base screams potential.

Best Pick Hernandez. Credit Gettleman for wrangling the No. 2 interior
offensive lineman - behind Notre Dame's Quenton Nelson - at the top of the
second round. Hernandez finishes blocks and brings a serious mean streak to
this maligned unit.

Upside Pick Lauletta. Many evaluators felt the Richmond passer would be a
third-round pick following his Senior Bowl performance in January. With
Manning locked in for at least another season or two, Lauletta couldn't be in
a better developmental chute.

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

2 (49). Dallas Goedert, TE: 6-5, 255; South Dakota State

4 (125). Avonte Maddox, CB: 5-9, 184, Pittsburgh

4 (130). Josh Sweat, DE: 6-5, 251; Florida State

6 (206). Matt Pryor, OT: 6-7, 358; TCU

7 (233). Jordan Mailata, OT: 6-7, 346; South Sydney Rabbitohs Rugby

Grade: B

Considering some of the 2018 draft chips the Eagles used to add elsewhere -
including their second-rounder to Cleveland in the Carson Wentz deal in 2016 -
GM Howie Roseman came away with several bargains even after trading out of the
first round. Teams that shied away from Goedert's small-school resume opened
the door for Roseman to gut-punch the Cowboys, dealing one spot ahead of
Dallas to land the premier tight end in this draft. The picks mined in the
fourth round could be pure gold, particularly Sweat, who adds to the Eagles'
bounty of edge options. One of those, Michael Bennett, was acquired for
Philly's fifth-round pick.

Best Pick Goedert. Another weapon for Wentz and chess piece for formations
wizard Doug Pederson. With Alshon Jeffery, Zach Ertz and Goedert, the Eagles
might not lose a jump ball all season.

Upside Pick Mailata. At 20, he has never played American football, so the
Eagles are no-risk gambling on his incredible size, physical makeup and
athletic profile.

WASHINGTON REDSKINS

1 (13). Da'Ron Payne, DL: 6-2, 311; Alabama

2 (59). Derrius Guice, RB: 5-11, 224; LSU

3 (74). Geron Christian, OT: 6-5, 298, Louisville

4 (109). Troy Apke, S: 6-1, 200; Penn State

5 (163). Tim Settle, DL: 6-3, 329; Virginia Tech

6 (197). Shaun Dion Hamilton, LB: 6-0, 228; Alabama

7 (241). Greg Stroman, DB: 5-11, 182; Virginia Tech

7 (256). Trey Quinn, WR: 5-11, 203; SMU

Grade: B+

Without a blue-chip offensive lineman available, the Redskins could have
stocked the secondary or gone pass rusher early, but Payne and Guice as a 1-2
punch spell attitude. Washington got stronger up the middle and found value in
nearly every pick. Team officials said drafting four Alabama players in the
past two years is coincidence, but the championship DNA didn't hurt. Hamilton
stood out to the Redskins when they scouted 2017 first-rounder Reuben Foster
and that pick could bear fruit later this season.

Best Pick Guice. Angry running style. Motivated by perceived draft snub. It's
an equation for a standout rookie season from a player some felt rivaled
former LSU teammate Leonard Fournette as a pure runner.

Upside Pick Settle. Coach Jay Gruden was stunned Settle, compared to Vince
Wilfork, was still around in the fifth round. So were we - he was 59th on the
final FLM draft board. With Payne and Allen, Settle gives the Redskins three
players who can play three different positions up front.

--Field Level Media