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We are now a little over a week removed from the 2021 NFL Draft. The big event of the offseason has come and gone and as a result there will be an influx of young, talented players joining their new teams shortly. The Dallas Cowboys have 11 such draft picks and some undrafted free agents to hopefully upgrade their roster, but what about the rest of the NFC East?
The Philadelphia Eagles, New York Giants, and Washington Football Team have all added some talented players through the NFL Draft. Today, we take a look at the rest of the NFC East’s 2021 draft classes to determine which incoming rookies could give the Cowboys the most problems.
Let’s get started, shall we?
WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM
The final haul
— Washington Football Team (@WashingtonNFL) May 1, 2021
@budlight pic.twitter.com/XM6I1UqAHO
Biggest threat: WR Dyami Brown, North Carolina
Dyami Brown averaged a little over 20 yards per catch and caught a total of 20 touchdowns in his last two seasons in North Carolina. As such, he brings some much-needed big-play ability to Washington’s passing game. Add him to the mix with a star-in-the-making WR Terry McLaurin and free agent additions like QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, RB/WR Curtis Samuel, and WR Adam Humphries and WFT has put together an offensive unit who could give the Cowboys some problems.
Don’t forget about: LB Jamin Davis, Kentucky
The strength of Washington’s football team is without a doubt their star-studded defense, especially their defensive front bookended by Chase Young and Montez Sweat. Linebacker was arguably the weak link of their defense, but they remedied that by adding super talented LB Jamin Davis in the first round. Putting a player like him with his kind of sideline-to-sideline speed and length is an immediate boost to their LB position. He should make an early impact and cause problems for the Cowboys for years to come.
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
Your 2021 #EaglesDraft class.@novacare | #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/gVXhDGNtv0
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) May 2, 2021
Biggest threat: WR DeVonta Smith, Alabama
The Cowboys had a hand in reuniting DeVonta Smith with Jalen Hurts in Philadelphia and they have no one to blame but themselves if he’s a thorn in their side for years to come. He is a smooth moving WR with elite separation ability who naturally snatches the ball out of the air with ease. His 170-pound frame is less than ideal and raises durability concerns, but his talent is undeniable. From day one he should be the Eagles go-to WR and a player Dan Quinn will have to account for on any given play.
Don’t forget about: C/OG Landon Dickerson, Alabama
If not for a late-season torn ACL, Landon Dickerson would’ve likely been a first-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. For the Eagles to land him in the second-round is an absolute steal and one that could pay off big time. Dickerson has center/guard flexibility and possesses All-Pro talent if he can remain healthy. Injuries are a concern for him, but his addition should help solidify the interior of Philadelphia’s offensive line for years to come. How Dallas’ young DTs perform against Dickerson this season and in the future will be interesting to watch.
NEW YORK GIANTS
Say hello to your 2021 Draft Class pic.twitter.com/ndMUsAdidk
— New York Giants (@Giants) May 2, 2021
Biggest threat: WR Kadarius Toney, Florida
The New York Giants and their fans were livid when the Eagles made a first-round trade with the Cowboys to jump them for WR DeVonta Smith. To their credit, they made their own first-round trade and picked up the next best remaining WR in Kadarius Toney and a 2022 first-rounder. Toney is a talented, yet unpolished receiver who the Cowboys defense is going to have to account for. He’s more of a gadget player right now, but one with the kind of big-play ability to be a threat anytime he touches the ball.
Don’t forget about: DE Azeez Ojulari, Georgia
The Giants defense needed to upgrade their pass rush and did just that in the second-round when Azeez Ojulari slid right into their lap. Ojulari was regarded by many as the best pass rusher in the 2021 draft class, but medical issues ended up hurting his draft stock. Regardless, New York was able to add one heck of a player and one who has a chance to make an immediate impact if he can stay healthy. The 20-year-old has the length and athleticism to cause plenty of problems for Dallas down the road.