2021 NFL Draft Aftermath: Winners and Losers from the NFC East
The NFL Draft is one of the most anticipated events each year for the dynasty community. The players we have scouted and analyzed for months (or years) finally have a home for the foreseeable future. Rookie landing spots create a ripple effect throughout each roster, requiring evaluation not only of the rookies and how they fit with their new teams, but also of the veterans impacted by the changing landscape.
When it comes to the addition of high-impact offensive skill players, the NFC East featured teams on both ends of the spectrum. On one end, New York and Philadelphia both added first-round wide receivers. On the opposite terminus, Dallas didn’t select an offensive skill player until the fifth round, and Washington only used one top-100 pick on that side of the ball. Even with this divergence amongst opposing squads, we can elucidate some clear winners and losers on each team.
Let’s break down the implications of this year’s NFL Draft additions for standing members of NFC East offenses.
Note: winners and losers on the defensive side of the ball will be captured separately.
Dallas Cowboys
Winners – The Tight End Room
Out of all the NFL offenses, very few (if any!) teams had as little potential for upheaval at the skill positions as the Dallas Cowboys. Quarterback Dak Prescott, running back Ezekiel Elliott, and receivers Amari Cooper, CeeDee Lamb and Michael Gallup represent locked and loaded starters, and even Tony Pollard is considered one of the better backup ball carriers in the league.
As such, the only real chance the team had to make an upgrade was at the tight end position. With Dallas neglecting to make a play for tight end Kyle Pitts, all early drama was effectively erased. That they went the entirety of the rest of the draft without selecting competition for Dalton Schultz or the returning Blake Jarwin means one of the two still has a chance for fantasy viability, even despite the loaded roster described in the previous paragraph.
Loser – Dak Prescott, QB
I’ll admit this is a bit of a stretch, but again, the Dallas offense was largely a known entity. So as long as I’m picking nits, I selected Prescott for two reasons. First, despite a rash of injuries last season the Cowboys didn’t address their starting line until round five, and then not again until round seven. It would have been nice to see a bit more priority placed here in case the injury bug strikes again.
Second, the teams spent their first six picks on defense. While this was certainly needed, should these players pan out it could mean fewer shootouts for Dak and the offense, thereby lowering his fantasy ceiling.
New York Giants
Winner – Daniel Jones, QB
While it’s arguable that offensive line should have been the focus, the Giants snagged receiver Kadarius Toney in the first round, adding to an already impressive skill-position corps. Not only does this give Jones another weapon, but by virtue of trading down and not selecting quarterbacks Justin Fields or Mac Jones, it shows that the Giants remain committed to (Daniel) Jones, at least for one more season.
Given his occasionally inspired but uneven play through two years, no one would have blamed New York for cutting bait and starting over, but instead Jones emerged unscathed and hopefully emboldened.
Loser – Sterling Shepard, WR
Despite being in the middle of a four-year, $41 million contract, Shepard may find himself facing competition following the selection of Toney. While it remains unclear exactly how Toney will be deployed, analysts assert his best NFL position will be in the slot, which is where Shepard typically does his work. Should Toney shine as a rookie, the Giants have an affordable out on Shepard’s contract following the 2021 season, where he would potentially be entering the market as a smallish 29-year old receiver.
Philadelphia Eagles
Winner – Jalen Hurts, QB
With a seeming divide between the team’s coaching staff and ownership regarding whether the sophomore signal-caller should face competition, it was far from guaranteed that the Eagles wouldn’t dip their toes into the rookie quarterback waters. Instead, not only did all appendages remain dry, the Philadelphia front office stayed on the beach with a cocktail in hand, neglecting to select a single quarterback.
In addition, they jumped the division rival Giants to nab receiver DeVonta Smith, giving Hurts another weapon, and one with whom he has a modicum of familiarity from their days in Alabama. Though Hurts was decidedly scattershot with his accuracy as a rookie, the team has put him in a better position to succeed in 2021.
Loser – Boston Scott, RB
While some might argue here and assert that rising sophomore Jalen Reagor should be the pick, he will more than likely still be a top two-three option in the passing game, even with the addition of Smith. Scott makes for a sensible choice, as direct competition was added in the fifth round in the form of Kenneth Gainwell.
While it’s not impressive draft stock, Scott himself was a former sixth-round pick who hasn’t done nearly enough to cement a spot in the backfield. At Memphis, Gainwell was a do-it-all ball carrier who secured 51 receptions in 2019 prior to sitting out the 2020 season – his addition, along with the waiver acquisition of Kerryon Johnson, could put Scott’s roster spot in jeopardy.
Washington Football Team
Winner – Ryan Fitzpatrick, QB
Though every game Fitzmagic starts represents the potential both for lightning in a bottle or a ten-car pile-up, the Football Team appears content going to battle with him under center. While selection of a first-round quarterback would have necessitated trading up, Washington stayed in their position at 1.19, and subsequently eschewed adding competition in the later rounds.
Fitzpatrick surely isn’t viewed as a dynasty asset outside of superflex leagues, but the job appears to be his barring an epic collapse in training camp.
Loser – The Team’s WR3
While it remains unclear how an exact lineup might look, the fact is neither stud Terry McLaurin nor prize free-agent acquisition Curtis Samuel will be coming off the field. With the team’s third-round selection of pass-catcher Dyami Brown, who profiles more as an outside receiver, it’s fair to wonder who might pay the price should Brown force his way onto the field.
Will Samuel kick inside, with McLaurin and Brown on the boundaries? That would mean the winner of the Adam Humphries and Steven Sims battle would find himself out of the lineup at slot, with the likes of Cam Sims and Isaiah Wright one spot further down the totem pole outside.
Regardless of when and how exactly it shakes out, Washington clearly felt they needed an upgrade to their ancillary pass-catchers and acted accordingly, with their veterans put on notice.
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