2023 NFL Draft: NFC East Rookie Projections
What could have been, if Jalen Hurts had one more possession. It’s the aftertaste which lingered that caused Eagles general manager Howie Roseman to react in such a fashion that he traded up to nab arguably the top pure talent in this year’s draft. In fact, they selected potential new starters with each of their first four selections on an already deep and talented roster.
The team given least credit within the division by the mainstream media would be the Washington Commanders. However, the smash-mouth brand of football that head coach Ron Rivera likes to employ, combined with a stout defense makes their style of play a blueprint on how to defeat the Eagles. Washington appeared to have drafted for need and identified several players who can help them immediately. However, Sam Howell at quarterback still remains a huge question mark.
Both the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants are considered to be playoff contenders once again, making this one of the most balanced divisions in the NFL. The presence of defensive coordinators Dan Quinn in Big D and Wink Martindale for Big Blue, means tough guys wanted. Each team went on the defensive in round one, as Dallas will plug big Mazi Smith into the middle of their defensive line, while New York plucked Deonte Banks to help sew up their secondary. All four of these teams have been constructed to beat each other up!
Below is a breakdown of how each selection of the 2023 NFL Draft fits in with their new teams for the NFC East, plus projections on how they might perform in year one. For year-round coverage of the NFL Draft, be sure to subscribe to our All Access Football Newsletter.
PREVIOUS IMPACT PROJECTIONS: AFC East | AFC North | AFC South | AFC West | Up Next: NFC North
Player Rating Impact Scale: 10 – 9.5 = All Pro Impact | 9.4 – 8.9 = Pro Bowl Impact | 8.8 – 8.0 = Starter Impact | 7.9 – 7.0 = Rotational Impact | 6.9 – 6.0 = Backup Impact | 5.9 – Below = Practice Squad Impact
DALLAS COWBOYS [OVERALL ROOKIE IMPACT RATING = 68]
Rd1.No.26 Mazi Smith, DT, Michigan: With the various bodies Dallas is throwing at opponents on the edge, you could see why they value Smith who can come in and eat up defenders. He brings the nasty. Projection: 17 games started, 42 tackles, three and a half tackles for loss. Impact Factor: 8.1
Rd2.No.58 Luke Schoonmaker, TE, Michigan: There were some other tight ends available who would have been more qualified to help offset the loss of receiving threat Dalton Schultz (Texans) in the pass game. Schoonmaker will rotate with Jake Ferguson and Peyton Hendershot. Projection: 17 games played, 11 starts, 35 catches, 384 receiving yards, three touchdowns. Impact Factor: 7.8
Rd3.No.90 DeMarvion Overshown, LB, Texas: A local product with a high motor, Overshown covers lots of ground laterally and could eventually compete for a starting role. Projection: 14 games played, seven starts, 45 tackles, two sacks, three tackles for loss. Impact Factor: 7.5
Rd4.No.129 Viliami Fehoko, DE, San Jose State: The Cowboys continue to stockpile pass-rushers. It would have probably been more beneficial to address more dire needs, we’ll see if Fehoko can crack the rotation. Projection: 12 games played, 20 tackles. Impact Factor: 6.6
Rd5.No.169 Asim Richards, OL, North Carolina: Dallas waited until the fifth round to address the offensive line depth. Richards will be tasked with a backup role at tackle and/or guard. Projection: 15 games played, two starts. Impact Factor: 7.0
Rd6.No.178 Eric Scott Jr., CB, Southern Miss: There are traits to like such as size and natural instincts; will probably be more of a special teams contributor this season. Projection: five games played. Impact Factor: 6.0
Rd6.No.212 Deuce Vaughn, RB, Kansas State: One of the feel-good moments of the draft is also one of the better value picks, as Vaughn could play a key factor more than most realize. Get used to seeing Deuce used often. Projection: 17 games played, seven starts, 136 carries, 652 rushing yards, 321 receiving yards, seven touchdowns. Impact Factor: 7.9
Rd7.No.244 Jalen Brooks, WR, South Carolina: Feels like a longshot to make the team; did not have a superb season or testing, so special teams is best shot. Projection: practice squad. Impact Factor: 5.8
NEW YORK GIANTS [OVERALL ROOKIE IMPACT RATING = 71]
Rd1.No.24 Deonte Banks, CB, Maryland: An excellent man cover corner, Banks fits exactly what Wink Martindale likes to do on offense. Projection: 17 starts, 38 tackles, two interceptions, nine pass deflections. Impact Factor: 8.2
Rd2.No.57 John Michael-Schmitz, C, Minnesota: The G-Men have been trying to patch up the center position for quite some time. In steps JMS who puts an end to that trend. Projection: 17 starts. Impact Factor: 8.2
Rd3.No.73 Jalin Hyatt, WR, Tennessee: The best player available meets team need strategy, the selection of Hyatt might be a blessing in disguise. A boundary wideout who is also a vertical threat, Daniel Jones now has a bonafide deep ball threat. Projection: 15 games played, six starts, 40 catches, 596 receiving yards, four touchdowns. Impact Factor: 7.7
Rd5No.172 Eric Gray, RB, Oklahoma: In case negotiations with Saquon Barkley go sideways, or he gets injured, Gray is an excellent insurance policy. While he is not as explosive, he does a little bit of everything very well. Projection: 17 games played, three starts, 70 carries, 290 rushing, 185 receiving yards, two touchdowns. Impact Factor: 6.9
Rd6.No.209 Tre Hawkins, CB, Old Dominion: After an eye-popping pro day performance, Hawkins generated increased awareness. The lengthy corner possesses elite athleticism and sub 4.4-speed. Projection: special teams. Impact Factor: 6.4
Rd7.No.243 Jordon Riley, DT, Oregon: Will be groomed as a potential nose tackle backup. Projection: practice squad. Impact Factor: 5.9
Rd7.No.254 Gervarrius Owens, FS, Houston: Could make an impact on special teams, as he has experience on every unit in the third phase. Projection: eight games played, 10 tackles. Impact Factor: 6.2
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES [OVERALL ROOKIE IMPACT RATING = 72]
Rd1.No.9 Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia: The Eagles lost Javon Hargrave and Fletcher Cox will be 33 years old. Adding Jordan Davis was good but trading up for Carter was great, on paper. From a talent standpoint, Carter is the best tackle on the team. He slid in the draft due to questionable character; Philadelphia has a veteran locker room. Projection: 17 games played, 10 starts, 40 tackles, five sacks, eight and a half tackles for loss. Impact factor: 8.5
Rd1.No.30 Nolan Smith, OLB, Georgia: What is it? New Eagles DC Sean Desai will need to answer that question and mold Smith into the role they envision. Currently, he would present the same type of frame and skill-set as a Haason Reddick coming out of college. He could serve as backup or be moved around as an off-ball linebacker. Projection: 12 games played, 28 tackles, two sacks, four tackles for loss. Impact factor: 6.8
Rd3.No.65 Tyler Steen, OL, Alabama: A Senior Bowl audition at guard persuaded the team to select Steen. He should compete to start at right guard, which would allow the Cam Jurgens succession plan at center to remain intact. Projection: 17 starts. Impact Factor: 8.2
Rd3.No.66 Sydney Brown, SS, Illinois: Look for Brown to emerge as a fan favorite due to his backstory and blue collar work ethic. This is a hair on fire type player who flies to the football. Projection: 17 games played, 11 starts, 55 tackles, one sack, two and a half tackles for loss, three interceptions, five pass deflections. Impact Factor: 7.8
Rd4.No.105 Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia: We saw a team that was razor thin at cornerback at times a season ago. Ringo should remain a break glass in case of emergency option but at some point Philadelphia will likely need to call upon him. He could fill-in at any corner spot Projection: 12 games played, 15 tackles. Impact Factor: 6.7
Rd6.No.188 Tanner McKee, QB, Stanford: Inside the building, team brass believes in constantly developing quarterbacks. In McKee, they inherit a true pocket-passer type with significant experience at Stanford; the fit was a bit odd from the standpoint that his play style is completely opposite of Jalen Hurts. Projection: McKee will likely spend a year on the practice squad. Impact Factor: 5.8
Rd7.No.249 Moro Ojomo, DT, Texas: The traits are there for Ojomo to develop into a rotational backup. His size, quickness and athleticism will at least give him an opportunity to hang around for a bit. Projection: practice squad. Impact Factor: 6.1
WASHINGTON COMMANDERS [OVERALL ROOKIE IMPACT RATING = 72]
Rd1.No.16 Emmanuel Forbes, CB, Mississippi State: Don’t let the looks fool you, pound-for-pound, Forbes is one of the toughest players entering the league in 2023. His tenacious style and aggressive play tends to lead to big-play interceptions. Projection: 17 starts, 50 tackles, five interceptions, 11 pass deflections, two touchdowns. Impact Factor: 8.6
Rd2.No.47 Jartavius Martin, CB, Illinois: The NFC East is full of veteran signal-callers and the Commanders were in dire need of help in the secondary. Martin was stellar during one-on-ones at the Senior Bowl, he should be an immediate factor. Projection: 17 games played, 10 starts, 39 tackles, three interceptions. Impact Factor: 7.8
Rd3.No.97 Ricky Stromberg, C, Arkansas: A tough, sound technician, Stromberg will play behind new center Nick Gates, who endured various injuries during his time with the Giants. Projection: 12 games played, five starts. Impact Factor: 7.3
Rd4.No.118 Braeden Daniels, OL, Utah: The Commanders protection was porous a season ago. Daniels possesses plenty of experience, strength and the versatility to play tackle or guard. Projection: 14 games played, three starts. Impact Factor: 6.8
Rd5.No.137 KJ Henry, DE, Clemson: Lookout for Henry come training camp. There has been speculation that Chase Young could be released after Washington failed to exercise his fifth-year option. A huge door could open up. Projection: 17 games played, 11 starts, 42 tackles, two and a half sacks, five tackles for loss. Impact Factor: 7.1
Rd6.No.193 Chris Rodriguez Jr., RB, Kentucky: With so many other needs, it was somewhat puzzling to see Washington select Rodriguez Jr., who is a near clone to Brian Robinson. The staff has lost some faith in Antonio Gibson and it’s hard to argue with the value; add him to the stable. Projection: 13 games played, 72 carries, 313 rushing yards, three touchdowns. Impact Factor: 6.7
Rd7.No.233 Andre Jones Jr., DE, Louisiana: Another defensive end to add to the stable. Was this foreshadowing? We shall see. Jones Jr. is viewed more as a developmental practice squad candidate. Projection: four games played. Impact Factor: 6.0
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