This is the second in a series of eight 2020 NFL Draft posts that will cover who teams should, could, and ultimately will end up drafting in the first round. Today we look at the NFC East.
Dallas Cowboys
Should. The Cowboys have the 22nd pick in the draft. Whoever they draft at this selection will be a rental. Given the contracts that the team has handed out, there is no chance they will be able to re-sign this pick in four years. Byron Jones was a big loss. A CB would make sense here. However, unless the right man is available, America’s team should trade back.
Could. If the team does not trade back, Kristian Fulton could drop to them and this would be a great pick. The alternative could be Noah Igbinoghene, but this would be a reach.
Will. After not having a first round pick last year (thanks to Amari Cooper), there is zero chance that Jerry Jones trades out of the first round. The team will either hit a home run with Fulton or be criticized for settling for someone like Igbinoghene.
New York Giants
Should. The Giants have the 4th pick in the draft. The best asset for a young QB is a reliable WR. Unfortunately for the Giants, their starting RB is currently filling that role the best. Jerry Jeudy makes sense here. Not only would he help Daniel Jones, but he would take a load off Saquon Barkley’s shoulders.
Could. Isaiah Simmons is widely predicted to be the pick at this spot. It would be a hit and Simmons could be the face of the Giants’ defense for a decade. However, the immediate impact would not be there. The Giants need to capitalize on Barkley’s prime and Jones’ cheap contract before the first breaks down and the latter breaks the team’s cap space.
Will. Simmons will be the pick. The Giants could trade down if a team wants to jump ahead of the Dolphins for Tua Tagovailoa. If this does not happen, David Gettleman will not be able to resist Simmons.
Philadelphia Eagles
Should. The Eagles pick 21st. Too late for a star receiver. Perfect position for either Kristian Fulton or, possibly, C.J. Henderson. Pairing either of these guys with Darius Slay will help improve Philadelphia’s secondary.
Could. The team could trade down and take a receiver and corner later in the draft. This is risky for a team that is expected to contend right away. The temptation to do so may be there, but I see the team either correctly picking a future star at CB or incorrectly reaching for a WR who is not Lamb, Jeudy, or Ruggs III.
Will. I will give this team the benefit of the doubt. If Henderson falls, he will be an Eagle. If not, Fulton will be the pick.
Washington Redskins
Should. The Redskins have the second pick in the draft. This is simple. They should draft Tua Tagovailoa. Chase Young is slated to be a generational talent. Washington’s defensive line, however, is already strong. Dwayne Haskins did not show me enough last year to convince me that he can be a starter in the league.
Haskins can be given another shot until the team is certain that Tua is healthy. If he proves his worth, both he and Tagovailoa will be trade assets. If not, he will buy the second pick in the draft time to learn, get healthy, and make an impact later on.
Could. They could take Chase Young. That would be the safe move. It would also not be a bad move in a vacuum. However, just as 9 teams are kicking themselves for passing on Patrick Mahomes in 2017, the Redskins could see themselves in the same boat in two to three years.
Will. They will take Chase Young. We can always count on the Redskins to make the wrong move.
