Football fans are understandably anxious in the build up to the NFL Draft. The excitement is palpable, and so is the sheer hope that their team doesn't screw it up. When it comes to the Dallas Cowboys, fans largely don't have to worry about the draft.
Like any team, the Cowboys have swung and miss over the years, but their batting average -- especially in the first round -- is better than most teams. The selection of Tyler Smith in the first round last year was widely criticized and he proved to be the best linemen from the 2022 class by a distant margin.
Dallas needs to hit with similar efficiency if they're to reclaim the NFC East crown from the hated Eagles. On the flip side, Mike McCarthy's side could struggle to accomplish that goal if their division rivals -- not just Philly -- pull off these four moves in the 2023 NFL Draft.
4 NFC East draft moves that'd spell trouble for Cowboys
4. Commanders draft tight end at No. 16 overall
The Commanders could go several directions with this pick. An offensive tackle is feasible and multiple mocks have them taking Bijan Robinson.
With Charles Leno and Sam Cosmi in place as the left and right tackles, and Brian Robinson and Antonio Gibson in the backfield, Washington can afford to address another part of its offense -- the tight end position, which has a big hole with Logan Thomas regressing mightily after a torn ACL suffered in 2021.
"Who cares if the Commanders add another pass catcher if they don't have a quarterback?" Good point, but he -- presumably Utah's Dalton Kincaid -- would represent another weapon for the Cowboys' defense to account for.
Terry McLaurin, Curtis Samuel, and Jahan Dotson form a top-five trio in the NFL. While Sam Howell nor Jacoby Brissett is the answer, their job will be made easier by their surrounding talent. Throw Kincaid into the mix and Washington has the makings to be a scary offense if they get adequate QB play.
And what happens when they potentially add a good quarterback in the near future? That could happen now that Dan Snyder is gone.
Nobody should shake in their boots if the Commanders nabbed Kincaid, but it would give us a little pause given how much talent is already on that offense.
3. Giants grab Quentin Johnston at No. 25 overall
The Giants taking Johnston one pick before the Cowboys might be a blessing in disguise in the eyes of Johnston skeptics, but perhaps folks are overthinking his flaws?
In a vacuum, Johnston is a very good athlete (not great like some suspected). A 4.52 40-yard dash at 6-foot-3 is nothing to sneeze at, and the resume he put together at TCU speaks for itself. In his final year with the Horned Frogs, he logged 60 catches for 1,069 yards and six touchdowns. He was a finalist for the Biletnikoff award -- given to the country's top receiver -- and was the MVP of the CFP seminal.
Johnston's tape is inconsistent and his contested catch rate is low for a wideout of his size, but he's a project worth investing in. He could return WR2 value once he gets accustomed to the NFL's speed and exotic coverages, and that's a scary thought for a Giants offense that's on the rise after a breakout 2022.
New York is still rebuilding its receiver room, but Johnston would add more top-end speed alongside Parris Campbell, Wan'Dale Robinson and Darius Slayton. Don't forget they traded for Darren Waller, and feel like a safe bet to add a proven WR1 at some point in the near future.
Now, about the most serious of the Cowboys' division rivals.
2. Eagles trade up from No. 30 overall
This will seem more scary once you see what the Eagles do at No. 10 overall (no cheating!). Either way, Philadelphia trading up from No. 30 overall to get a player they feel could help them win now is something no Cowboys fan wants.
Whether it's Pittsburgh DL Calijah Kancey, Iowa State edge Will McDonald, Mississippi State cornerback Emmanuel Forbes, Clemson edge Myles Murphy or the top linebacker/offensive linemen on their board, the Eagles could plug a huge hole by moving up a couple spots.
Howie Roseman has some misses on his drafting resume, but you have to think he'll hit on the 10th overall pick -- the guy we project to Philly is a cant-miss prospect. If they net another blue-chipper who will step into a significant role as a rookie, the Cowboys could be hard-pressed to reclaim the division title.
We say that despite all the losses Philly endured in free agency and to their coaching staff.
1. Eagles take Bijan Robinson at No. 10 overall
Cowboys fans have been dreading this scenario for months. There's seemingly no better fit for Robinson than Philadelphia, and general manager Howie Roseman is smart enough to know the former Longhorn is the final piece to the Eagles' offensive puzzle.
In case you forgot how lethal Jalen Hurts is with his legs, he totaled 760 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns (!) on 4.6 yards per attempt last year. He also rushed for 67 first downs, which speaks to the efficiency of Philly's run-pass-option and their offensive line's fortitude in short-yardage situations.
Add Bijan Robinson to the mix and the Eagles' rushing offense becomes that much more difficult to neutralize. If Robinson was born in a different generation -- say five or six years ago -- he'd be a no-brainer top-five selection. With RBs value decreasing with each passing year, he could fall outisde the top 15.
Or maybe, just maybe, the Eagles, who can afford a luxury pick more than any other team slotted in the top 10, end Robinson's slide before it begins -- thereby adding a top five player in the class to an already-potent offense and ending Jerry Jones' dream of keeping Robinson in Texas.