The Dallas Cowboys added several quality players in the NFL Draft, piecing together one of the stronger draft classes, according to most experts. But they weren’t the only ones in the NFC East who improved their teams through the draft; the New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, and Washington Commanders all landed top-tier prospects.
Each team now heads into the season believing they have bettered their chances of winning a division that has been won by the Eagles the last two seasons. Let’s take a look at each of the Cowboys’ rivals and see just what they got in their recent draft picks and how they could help their new teams. Here’s a quick look at who these teams drafted and who will be able to help immediately, and which ones will need time to develop.
New York Giants
Draft Picks: Round 1: LB/Edge Arvell Reese, Ohio StateRound 1: OT Francis Mauigoa, MiamiRound 2: CB Colton Hood, TennesseeRound 3: WR Malachi Fields, Notre DameRound 6: DT Bobby Jamison-Travis, AuburnRound 6: OG J.C. Davis, IllinoisRound 6 (No. 193): LB Jack Kelly, BYU
The Giants added quality players on both sides of the football. In Reese, Mauigoa, and Hood, the Giants added three immediate starters. Reese is beginning his career at middle linebacker, Mauigoa came into the draft as a tackle, but could be sliding inside to guard based on the Giants’ presser at the end of the first round. Hood will be an upgrade at cornerback for New York, but a run on receivers forced the Giants to overpay, giving up a fourth and fifth round picks in the 2026 draft and a fourth round pick in 2027, to select Fields in the third round.
Fields could develop into a quality starter, but he is seen by some as a reach for New York. Without their fourth and fifth round picks, the Giants were forced to wait until the sixth round, where they added Jamison-Travis with the hope of filling the void on the defensive line left after the Dexter Lawrence trade. Davis is an offensive guard with adequate movement skills to help protect Jaxson Dart, with Kelly being their final pick, adding depth at linebacker.
Philadelphia Eagles
Draft Day Picks: Round 1: WR Makai Lemon, USCRound 2: TE Eli Stowers, VanderbiltRound 3: OT Markel Bell, MiamiRound 5: QB Cole Payton, North Dakota StateRound 6: OG Micah Morris, GeorgiaRound 7: S Cole Wisniewski, Texas TechRound 7: DT Uar Bernard, IPP programRound 7: Edge Keyshawn James-Newby, New Mexico
The Philadelphia Eagles kicked off their draft by trading with divisional rival, the Dallas Cowboys, to draft Lemon as the A.J. Brown trade rumors continue. In the second round they added Stowers. The Vandy product recently transitioned to tight end and is still learning the position, but he is a big receiving threat who could take over for veteran Dallas Goedert. The addition of Bell gives them a potential swing tackle. Philadelphia would also trade with the Minnesota Vikings for linebacker Jonathan Greenard to help their pass rush.
On Day 3, the Eagles started the day by adding a left-handed quarterback in Payton, stirring up questions about their plans at the position. They would later add Morris for depth at guard, before ending the draft, taking three defensive depth pieces in Wisniewski in the secondary, Bernard, and James-Newby along the defensive front.
Washington Commanders
Draft Picks:Round 1: LB Sonny Styles, Ohio StateRound 3: WR Antonio Williams, ClemsonRound 5: Edge Joshua Josephs, TennesseeRound 6: RB Kaytron Allen, Penn StateRound 6: C Matt Gulbin, Michigan StateRound 7: QB Athan Kaliakmanis, Rutgers
The Washington Commanders saw the best linebacker in the draft, Styles, fall to them in the first round, providing a solid replacement for Bobby Wagner. Washington followed that up by drafting Williams and pairing him with Terry McLaurin, giving them another weapon at wide receiver. Josephs adds speed off the edge for the Commanders, while Allen gives them a quick, pass-catching running back out of the backfield.
Gulbin adds depth at center and is a possible replacement for former center Tyler Biadasz, who was released in the offseason. Their final pick, Kaliakmanis, adds another arm in the quarterback room who will battle it out for a spot on the roster.
This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Cowboys led charge, but entire NFC East got stronger through the draft
Reporting by Terence Watson , Cowboys Wire / Cowboys Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
