Eagles stocked up on defense, Giants get new QB as NFC East tries to out-draft Cowboys
Eagles stocked up on defense, Giants get new QB as NFC East tries to out-draft Cowboys
Most of the Cowboys faithful believe their team made dramatic improvements over draft weekend... but the same can be said of every fanbase. Everyone feels good about their rookie class the day after the last picks are made, and that also goes for the three Cowboys rivals who round out the NFC East.
The Cowboys' arch-enemies all landed top-tier talent, too. And just like first-round pick Tyler Booker endeared himself to fans by making family members at his own draft party take off their Eagles gear and then going on to say in an interview that he couldn't wait to "bully" Philadelphia defender Jalen Carter, calling him a "crybaby [expletive]," there are 22 newly-drafted players in three NFL cities who are already looking forward to the pressure-cooker nastiness of Dallas Week.
Many of these opponents were on the Cowboys' big board just hours ago. Some were even in the facility as official visitors and will be remembered as ones that got away.
Here's a look at the members of the 2025 draft class who the Cowboys can now expect to see twice a season as Eagles, Commanders, and Giants.
The Eagles continued their streak as one of the league's savviest drafting teams, according to most experts. And GM Howie Roseman continued to put an emphasis on defense, using his first five selections on that side of the ball. Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell could have come off the board much higher than he did and figures to combine with Zack Baun as a formidable duo at the position. (It does call into question, though, the future of the injured Nakobe Dean.) Former Texas safety Andrew Mukuba was among the Cowboys' national 30 visitors, UCF cornerback Mac McWilliams looks to be legit, and Philadelphia drafted yet another of the Georgia Bulldogs' star defenders, linebacker Smael Mondon, Jr.
1.31 - Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama
2.64 - Andrew Mukuba, S, Texas
4.111 - Ty Robinson, DL, Nebraska
5.145 - Mac McWilliams, CB, Central Florida
5.161 - Smael Mondon, Jr., LB, Georgia
5.168 - Drew Kendall, OL, Boston College
6.181 - Kyle McCord, QB, Syracuse
6.191 - Myles Hinton, OT, Michigan
6.207 - Cameron Williams, OT, Texas
6.209 - Antwaun Powell-Ryland, DE, Virginia Tech
Washington Commanders
Dan Quinn and the Commanders came away with just five picks in this year's draft, but they scored high marks with every single one of their selections. Josh Conerly, Jr. was one of the highest-rated tackles in the class, and now he'll pair with Laremy Tunsil in protecting Jayden Daniels. Dallas had been said to have some interest in Washington's skilled second-rounder, Mississippi cornerback Trey Amos; they may have been hoping he would last until the third round, when they ended up taking Shavon Revel, Jr. Virginia wide receiver Jaylin Lane could prove to be an explosive talent who people won't believe lasted until Round 5... and don't sleep on Arizona running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt, he may be one of the more underrated prospects of Day 3.
1.29 - Josh Conerly, Jr., OT, Oregon
2.61 - Trey Amos, CB, Mississippi
4.128 - Jaylin Lane, WR, Virginia
6.205 - Kain Medrano, LB, UCLA
7.245 - Jacory Croskey-Merritt, RB, Arizona
The Giants needed to nail this draft, and most outlets believe they did. Of course, it's hard to miss with the No. 3 overall pick, and Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter will likely give the Cowboys nightmares early and often in his pro career. We may not know for a while if Jaxson Dart is the real deal at quarterback, but Big Blue's trade up to get him in the first round shows their commitment and belief in him. Purdue offensive tackle Marcus Mbow was a Top-100 talent and could easily be starting by Week 1, and Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo is a multi-use wrecking ball that no team wanted to see in their division. The G-Men made serious forward progress this weekend; the NFC East could truly be a four-team battle royale this upcoming season.
1.3 - Abdul Carter, DE, Penn State
1.25 - Jaxson Dart, QB, Mississippi
3.65 - Darius Alexander, DL, Toledo
4.105 - Cameron Skattebo, RB, Arizona State
5.154 - Marcus Mbow - OT, Purdue
7.219 - Thomas Fidone II, TE, Nebraska
7.246 - Korie Black, CB, Oklahoma State
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