2016 NFL Mock Draft: NFC East
By jonfox
Instead of a traditional 2016 NFL mock draft, let’s look at the top three picks for each club as if the author was the GM for each team. Let’s start with arguably the worst division in the NFL this season: the NFC East. One last note before we begin: players can be picked more than once but only outside of the division. So, look at this as a mock draft in and of each division.
Dallas Cowboys
1. Jalen Ramsey, DB Florida State.
2. Jacoby Brissett, QB NC State.
3. Pharoh Cooper, WR South Carolina.
Romo probably isn’t going anywhere until 2017 at the earliest, so this draft is about talent who can contribute quicker than usual. Ramsey and Cooper are starters for Dallas week 1.
Ramsey allows them to put a Cobra(3 safety) formation on Nickels without losing much coverage speed. Cooper is the slasher/multi-purpose player that their offense has needed. He’s thrown for 5 TDs, rushed for over 500 yards and has over 2000 yards receiving in the last 3 seasons.
Brissett is the future. He has some good tools, especially a strong arm with a relatively clean delivery. He also has the height you look for and has good mobility. The problem with him is that he struggles badly when rushed.
This is fixable for a good QB coach but you just can’t throw him out there too early or you’ll reinforce all his bad habits.
New York Giants
1. Ezekiel Elliott, RB Ohio State.
2. Cameron Sutton, CB Tennessee.
3. Anthony Zettel, DL Penn State
This draft is about fixing the problems that Jerry Reese has ignored either because of his want to draft the best player available regardless of position or because the coaches can’t identify their own holes.
Elliott puts an end to the RB committee which isn’t working. He can take the punishment of a prime back, but his lack of receiving ability means that you can keep Vereen on to lessen his load.
Sutton and Zettel could immediately help a defense that struggles against fast WRs(4th worst in the NFL in pass plays given up of over 20 yards) and rushing the ball(8th worst in the NFL in rush defense).
The Eagles and Redskins