Grading the draft: NFC East
Lane Adkins, TheInsiders.com
April 26, 2004
NFC: East | North | South | West AFC: East | North | South | West
Dallas Cowboys: B
PRE-DRAFT TEAM NEEDS
OL, RB, DB, LB, DL
2004 DRAFT PICKS
Rd Pk (Ov) Player Pos School Notes
2 11 (43) Julius Jones RB Notre Dame (from Buffalo)
2 20 (52) Jacob Rogers OT USC
3 20 (83) Stephen Peterman OG LSU
4 25 (121) Bruce Thornton CB Georgia
5 12 (144) Sean Ryan TE Boston College (from Buffalo)
7 4 (205) Nate Jones CB Rutgers (from Oakland)
7 15 (216) Patrick Crayton WR NW Oklahoma St. (from Tampa Bay)
7 22 (223) Jacques Reeves CB Purdue (from Dallas via Oakland)
FIRST-ROUND GRADE: N/A
Questionably, the Cowboys traded out of the first round of the draft. Seeking an impact running back, the Cowboys passed on the opportunity to select running back Kevin Jones from Virginia Tech.
OVERALL
Selecting running back Julius Jones was a no-brainer for the Cowboys, as he was a great value pick according to the organization. Trading out of the first round to pick up an additional first round selection in the 2005 draft was a good move, but passing on Jones could end up haunting the Cowboys.
Quality selections in the picks of Jacob Rogers and Stephen Peterman as both could see significant playing time in the 2004 season.
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New York Giants: B
PRE-DRAFT TEAM NEEDS
WR, DE, DB, QB
2004 DRAFT PICKS
Rd Pk (Ov) Player Pos School Notes
1 4 (4) Philip Rivers QB North Carolina St. traded to San Diego
2 2 (34) Chris Snee OG Boston College
4 1 (97) Reggie Torbor DE Auburn
5 4 (136) Gibril Wilson S Tennessee
6 3 (16 Jamaar Taylor WR Notre Dame
7 2 (203) Drew Strojny OT Duke
7 52 (253) Isaac Hilton DE Hampton (Compensatory)
FIRST-ROUND GRADE: C
Eli Manning was the top quarterback on the Giants' draft board, Ben Roethlisberger was next, followed by Philip Rivers. New York selected Rivers to force the hand of the San Diego Chargers and a deal was consummated. Manning is a great fit with the Giants; this is where he wanted to play. Tom Coughlin wants to start the rookie right away, thus the writing is on the wall for veteran quarterback Kerry Collins.
The Giants come away from the first round of the draft satisfied, if not ecstatic with their ability to secure the rights to Eli Manning. The cost to get Manning was steep, but the future should be in the good hands with the talented quarterback.
OVERALL
The selections of Manning, Chris Snee, and Reggie Torbor will help the rebirth of the Giants in 2004 under new head coach Tom Coughlin. Unless the Giants have something under their sleeves, their picks after the third round, with the exception of Torbor, were not impressive.
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Philadelphia Eagles: C
PRE-DRAFT TEAM NEEDS
RB, OL, DB. LB
2004 DRAFT PICKS
Rd Pk (Ov) Player Pos School Notes
1 16 (16) Shawn Andrews OT Arkansas (from San Francisco)
3 26 (89) Matt Ware S UCLA
4 33 (129) J.R. Reed S South Florida (Compensatory)
4 35 (131) Trey Darilek OG UTEP (Compensatory)
5 30 (162) Thomas Tapeh FB Minnesota (From Kansas City)
6 20 (185) Andy Hall QB Delaware (from Green Bay)
6 27 (192) Dexter Wynn CB Colorado St.
7 26 (227) Adrien Clarke OG Ohio St.
7 41 (242) Bruce Perry RB Maryland (Compensatory)
7 42 (243) Dominic Furio C UNLV (Compensatory)
FIRST-ROUND GRADE: B
The Eagles pulled a draft-day shocker when trading-up to select Shawn Andrews with the 16th pick in the first round. Andrews is a massive offensive right tackle prospect, which questions the teams' thoughts on current right tackle Jon Runyan.
Andrews, when in shape, has the physical skill and ability to become a dominant lineman. First impressions are the Eagles did not need another tackle at this time and Andrews' talents and physical attributes are questionable to play inside at a guard position.
OVERALL
The selection of Andrews was questionable for the Eagles immediate needs, but he is a force when physically right. Matt Ware will provide size and ability to the rebuilt Philadelphia defensive backfield, and offensive guard Adrien Clarke could surprise as a seventh-round draft selection. Overall the Eagles had a fair draft, but this rating can improve if running back Thomas Tapeh and cornerback Dexter Wynn
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Washington Redskins: C
PRE-DRAFT TEAM NEEDS
S, TE, DL
2004 DRAFT PICKS
Rd Pk (Ov) Player Pos School Notes
1 5 (5) Sean Taylor S Miami (Fl)
3 18 (81) Chris
ey TE Utah St. (from New Orleans)
5 19 (151) Mark Wilson OT California (from Minnesota via New Orleans)
6 15 (180) Jim Molinaro OT Notre Dame (from Chicago)
FIRST-ROUND GRADE: A
After a long debate in the front office of the Redskins, the organization decided on the best safety in the draft, a true impact player, Sean Taylor. With Taylor, the Redskins are getting a tremendous athletic player who possesses the speed, quickness, and awareness to cover the slot receivers Washington will face. This selection should soften the loss of cornerback Champ Bailey. Taylor is the athletic presence that the Redskins defensive backfield needed.
A tight end in the mold of Kellen Winslow may have been the need pick here, but there is no denying that the Redskins needed a safety and they secured the best player at that position.
OVERALL
With a limited number of selections, the Redskins were not expected to be major players on draft weekend. The organization used free agency to revamp its roster, while purging draft choices in 2004. The selections made by the Redskins following Sean Taylor will have little to no impact on this team in 2004, through tight end Chris
ey is a player to keep an eye on in the future.
Updated on Monday, Apr 26, 2004 3:10 am EDT
