The 2023 NFL Draft is in the books and draft grades for each team are listed below. The increasingly competitive NFC East continues to get stronger after impressive drafts by each team in the division. Below are the 2023 NFC East Draft grades for each team, including which teams struggled in the draft.
2023 NFC East Draft Grades
Philadelphia Eagles: A+
Players Added: Jalen Carter, Nolan Smith, Tyler Steen, Sydney Brown, Keele Ringo, Tanner McKee, Moro Ojomo, D’Andre Swift
The Philadelphia Eagles crushed the 2023 NFL Draft. The Eagles were able to grab Jalen Carter and Nolan Smith both in the first round. Carter has been regarded as the best player in the draft but slid due to off-the-field concerns. Nolan Smith is a tremendous talent at edge rusher with a 4.39 40-yard dash.
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The Philadelphia Eagles won Day 1 of the NFL Draft. pic.twitter.com/nzPYnuWl8a
— FanDuel (@FanDuel) April 28, 2023
The Eagles seemed to find outstanding talent at every turn in this draft, acquiring multiple players from the Georgia Bulldogs and their two-time national championship defense. Not only did Philadelphia draft well, they were able to acquire D’Andre Swift to the Detroit Lions in exchange for a 2025 fifth-round pick and a 2023 seventh-round pick. Swift upgrades their offense and backfield after Miles Sanders left in free agency. Philadelphia truly crushed this draft and is set up to be even better than last year.
New York Giants: A
Players Added: Deonte Banks, John Michael Schmitz, Jalin Hyatt, Eric Gray, Tre Hawkins III, Jordon Riley, Gervarrius Owens
New York also earned an A amidst the 2023 NFC East Draft grades. Both the Giants and the Eagles crushed this draft. The Giants started with Deonte Banks, a tremendous defensive back from Maryland. Banks is another physical defensive back that always seems to find the ball. After losing some key cornerbacks over the past several seasons, Banks should add some stability back into their secondary.
New York also added John Michael Schmitz and Jalin Hyatt in this draft. Both players have a real chance to earn a starting position right away. Schmitz is an offensive lineman with over 2,500 snaps poised to become a starter immediately. Hyatt is a wide receiver with blistering 4.4 speed. After missing on Kenny Golladay, trading Kadarius Toney, and losing Sterling Shepard to injuries the last few seasons the Giants are always looking for dynamic pass-catchers for Daniel Jones.
Washington Commanders: C
Players Added: Emmanuel Forbes, Jartavius Martin, Ricky Stromberg, Braeden Daniels, K.J. Henry, Chris Rodriguez Jr., Andre Jones
The Washington Commanders also had a solid draft to start this season. Washington prioritized filling some of their positional needs starting with Emmanuel Forbes. Forbes was ranked as the second-best cornerback in this rookie class by some of the national pundits. He has a chance to be a problem for opposing offenses as a physical defender. Forbes also has a nose for the ball and is unafraid to hit receivers to jar the ball loose.
The Washington Commanders select Mississippi State CB Emmanuel Forbes with the 16th pick in the 2023 NFL Draft🔥https://t.co/ellGNAymMh pic.twitter.com/MR3O0DFRRh
— On3 (@On3sports) April 28, 2023
Other players who should contribute right away include Jartavius Martin and Ricky Stromberg. Martin and Stromberg are solid players who should find the field and earn impactful playing time from day one. Washington also drafted Chris Rodriguez Jr., a strong and punishing running back. Rodriguez will also have a chance to turn some heads and earn a spot in the Washington backfield.
The Commanders earn a C for the draft due to their lack of exciting moves. They focused on filling needs leaning on their current roster construction rather than make moves to break into the top 10 or taking chances on some more polarizing players. Ron Rivera and company like their current roster and drafted to continue in the same direction.
Dallas Cowboys: C
Players Added: Mazi Smith, Luke Schoonmaker, DeMarvion Overshown, Viliami Fehoko, Asim Richards, Eric Scott Jr, Deuce Vaughn, Jalen Brooks
Dallas and Washington both fell way behind the Eagles and Giants in this draft. The Cowboys drafted to fill positions much like the Commanders. They started with Mazi Smith at the end of the first round. Dallas could have taken a chance on Michael Mayer or drafted another offensive lineman like Steve Avila, but chose to upgrade their defensive line. Smith is a very talented player, but some analysts have suggested it was a bit of a reach for the Cowboys.
The Cowboys then drafted Luke Schoonmaker to fill their tight end void. This was a head-scratcher for Dallas with Darnell Washington available. Washington is a physical freak standing 6’7” with 4.64 speed. Jerry Jones and his staff likely picked on Washington’s clumsy route-running and went with a more-reliable Schoonmaker to replace Dalton Schultz.
The Cowboys also drafted other impact players like DeMarvion Overshown and Asim Richards. Both of these picks could be considered a reach but filled a positional need for Big D. The most exciting pick was Deuce Vaughn in the sixth round. Vaughn is an undersized running back with incredible speed and quickness. Vaughn is the exciting bright spot for the Cowboys draft and could earn playing time alongside Tony Pollard as early as this season.
Dallas earned a C and fell to the bottom of the NFC East due to their lack of explosive and polarizing players, much like Washington. The Cowboys drafted safe and conservative players based on positional needs. Much like Washington, it’s clear Mike McCarthy and Jones are happy with their current roster makeup and were not willing to compromise what they’ve built thus far.
Main Image: Chris Kwiecinski / USA TODAY NETWORK
