2022 NFL Draft grades: Biggest winners and losers

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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – APRIL 28: Evan Neal poses onstage after being selected seventh by the New York Giants during round one of the 2022 NFL Draft on April 28, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images) /

NFL Draft Grades – NFC East

Dallas Cowboys

This draft was going to be critical for Dallas after losing a ton of key pieces this offseason and Jerry Jones did a good job re-stocking his roster. First round pick Tyler Smith could start now at right tackle while eventually taking over for Tyron Smith on the left side while Sam Williams will add pass rush presence that was lost when Randy Gregory left in free agency. Jalen Tolbert and Jake Ferguson also add some more weapons for Dak Prescott, which should help the Cowboys remain the NFC East favorites.

Grade: B+

New York Giants

Joe Schoen’s first draft was a home run for the Giants, who filled two huge needs in the first round by adding Kayvon Thibodeaux and Evan Neal to bolster the trenches. New York then executed a few trade-backs to secure extra picks, giving them more swings at talent on a roster in desperate need of it. The one nit-pick is that Wan’Dale Robinson was a reach for where he was taken in the second round since the Giants already have a pretty crowded receiving room but Robinson’s speed will play in Brian Daboll’s offense.

Grade: A-

Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles were aggressive traders in the draft, moving up in the first round to snag defensive tackle Jordan Davis while shipping off their other first-round pick to get A.J. Brown from the Titans. The Brown trade solved a long-standing hole for Philadelphia at wide receiver while Davis has the potential to team with Fletcher Cox to create a terrifying interior pass rush. Howie Roseman also got tremendous value by snagging Georgia linebacker Nakobe Dean in the third round after medical issues caused him to slide out of the first round.

Grade: A+

Washington Commanders

It was interesting to watch the Commanders trade back in the first round to pick Jahan Dotson when wide receivers Chris Olave and Jameson Williams went before him. Dotson is a guy who should be a Day 1 starter in Washington but that trade suggests that the Commanders felt Dotson and extra draft capital was more valuable than one of the other two pass catchers. This draft wasn’t particularly sexy as Washington addressed needs and took a flier on Sam Howell in the fifth round as a developmental quarterback behind Carson Wentz.

Grade: C+

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