NFL MOCK DRAFT 2022- A LOOK AT THE POTENTIAL FIRST PICKS FOR EVERY TEAM IN THE NFC EAST

NFL / Football

Written by Joel Lefevre

As we shift our focus to the NFC, we will look first at the East division, one of only two in the 2022 NFL draft, where each team is currently positioned to make a first-round selection. This division is slated to have five of the opening 20 picks for the moment, with the New York Giants possessing two top 10 choices, while the Philadelphia Eagles have a pair of selections from 11-20, and the Washington Commanders are positioned to choose at #11.

Since 2019 we have seen a different team win this division each season, which shows how quickly things can change. The next step to improving your team happens from April 28-30, when the draft occurs. Here is a look at my projected first picks for all four of these NFC East franchises.

Ikem Ekwonu | Source (Background Photo): Getty Images

New York Giants- Round 1- Pick#5- Ikem Ekwonu, offensive lineman

It’s a new era in East Rutherford and adding a solid blocker who can open up holes for Saquon Barkley and provide protection for their pivot, whoever that may be, are two areas that they will want to address. The Giants averaged 3.7 yards per carrying in 2021, which was way down at #24 in the league, and they converted an average of less than five of their third downs per game. Short yardage was a sore spot for this group, who have not won more than six games in a season since capturing the division in 2016.

Ikem Ekwonu is a big 310-pound lineman with excellent open-field talent and hands. He is flexible as a zone blocker, with traits that can fit virtually all blocking schemes. Ickey, as he is known, played at left tackle as well as a left guard during his time at North Carolina State, receiving first-team All-American honours from the Associated Press last year. Ekwonu can breathe life into a screen game, while always being praised as an excellent guy in the locker room, who has a culture-building personality.

Washington Commanders- Round 1- Pick#11- Drake London, wide receiver

Aside from Terry McLaurin, Washington was pretty thin at the receiver position last year. McLaurin was their top pass catcher with 1,053 yards, but the next highest was running back J.D. McKissic at 397 yards. The Commanders have not finished a regular season above .500 since 2016, as their receiving corps have struggled to make clutch catches when needed.

For this team to reach the next level and compete for a playoff spot in this conference, they need more deep threats for Carson Wentz to throw to, and London could provide them with precisely that. He is physically capable of winning those battles at the point of attack, leading the nation last year in contested catches with 19. Washington depended a little too heavily on the run last season, but with London, they are getting a man who can go toe-to-toe with the elite corners of the game, not to mention the fact that he would be a big target for Wentz in the red zone. His presence would add an extra dimension to Ron Rivera’s team.

Philadelphia Eagles- Round 1- Pick#15- Devin Lloyd, linebacker

It’s been 43 years since Philly picked up a linebacker in the first round, but that streak could end this year. The Eagles were great at containing opposing offences last season, while also limiting the damage done to them. Despite being defensively solid, the Eagles failed to make many big plays, which could have given their offence shorter fields to work with last year.

With Devin Lloyd, Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni and his staff will be getting an impact player that can be used in pass-rush situations. He has a real knack for finding the football and getting to the quarterback, with 31 pressures in 2021, good for sixth in the nation. Lloyd is physical and aggressive, plus the linebacker is more than capable of shaking off those lead blocks inside. Another appealing quality about London is that he is incredibly versatile and capable of playing multiple linebacker positions.

Dallas Cowboys- Round 1-Pick#24- Zion Johnson, offensive guard

The Cowboys conceded 33 sacks a season ago, and for Dak Prescott to do the things that he does best, this team will need more protection for him upfront. Dallas was forced into long third-down situations in critical junctures far too often last year. Mike McCarthy’s squad will be the team to beat in the NFC East once again, but if they want to go back to the playoffs and make a deep run, the Cowboys will need better blocking.

Zion Johnson has a lot to offer “America’s Team”, as he is capable of playing tackle or center in a pinch, while he is also physical and difficult to get past. He can help pick up the bull rush, plus he is smooth, and patient, while also being able to handle twists and stunts. Johnson can shine as a double-team blocker, is technically savvy, with excellent timing to get to those second blocks. His tremendous leverage and wingspan make him a hard man to move.