We've now had a chance to reflect on the seven players the Dallas Cowboys drafted last weekend. We won't begin to get a feel for how those rookies will fit in until training camp is rolling in July and August, but that's not stopping us from making some early predictions for those seven draft picks. 

Travis Frederick: 8.0 PFF rating in 16 starts at right guard

Few expected the Wisconsin offensive lineman to be picked in the first round, and I don't think it was a smart move, but that doesn't mean I don't think Frederick can have a solid rookie campaign as a starter.

However, I don't think he's going to start at center, where he was a first-team Pro Football Weekly All-American in 2012. Ultimately, I think Phil Costa keeps that job and Frederick replaces Mackenzy Bernadeau at right guard Week 1. 

Read More »23

The B/R NFC East blog released its projected Philadelphia Eagles depth chart on Monday, and it created quite a lot of consternation among readers. The biggest issue, we're realizing, is that there's a huge amount of disagreement regarding which of the team's four primary quarterbacks are good, and which aren't. 

Some feel Michael Vick is still the stud, and that he'll finally hit his stride with Chip Kelly and an improved and healthy offensive line. Others think Vick is done and it's only a matter of time before he's injured or chased by a backup.

Some feel Nick Foles is the long-term answer, citing his decent numbers despite a lack of support as a rookie in 2012. Others think he came back to earth last year and is nothing more than a career backup.

Some feel Dennis Dixon is the perfect fit for Kelly and the perfect quarterback to run an option-oriented attack. Others think he's merely a camp arm.

Read More »155

The biggest question mark remaining in Dallas after the Cowboys completed the draft this past weekend is, who will be the right tackle in 2013?

Dallas didn't draft any offensive tackles and Doug Free remains on the roster despite terrible showings in each of the last two seasons. The team has indicated it might not be ready to give up on him (per 105.3 FM, h/t ESPN.com), but there have also been clues that the Cowboys are interested in bringing in some competition via the free-agent market. 

All of that makes sense. Despite a report from ESPNDallas.com's Calvin Watkins that the 'Boys have over $5 million in cap space, they still have to sign their rookies this summer and need some free cash entering the season. 

Prior to the draft, Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones told a Dallas radio station that the team was "looking at" veteran free agent Eric Winston. And on Wednesday, CBSSports.com's Jason La Canfora reported that the 'Boys "really like" and "remain in contact with" Tyson Clabo, who was a cap casualty in Atlanta. 

Read More »63

New Philadelphia Eagles head coach Chip Kelly thinks the offensive line is a major reason why Michael Vick struggled in 2012. And while that's a popular belief among those who like to cite the fact the Eagles offensive line lost four starters last season, there's actually a lot more to it. 

Here's what Kelly told WIP in Philly, according to SportsRadioInterviews.com:

The tape definitely indicates that Vick was skittish and scared and lacking confidence in his line last season, and not having All-Pro Jason Peters at left tackle certainly hurt.

That said, it's a stretch to suggest that Vick was taking snaps without 80 percent of his line. That excuse actually applies to rookie backup Nick Foles to more of an extent than it does to Vick, because Vick actually had his entire offensive line except Peters and Kelce during the first six weeks of the season, and in that stretch, he turned the ball over a league-high 13 times. He turned it over seven times in the first two weeks alone, and he had all but one offensive line starter supporting him during that stretch.

Read More »124

When you sit back and think about the world-famous Robert Griffin III trade between the Washington Redskins and the St. Louis Rams from one year ago, you really begin to realize how advantageous the league's draft slotting system can be for teams that suck. 

Had the Redskins won three fewer games in 2011, they still would have had their second-round pick in 2012, their first-round pick in 2013 and their first-round pick in 2014 all while drafting RG3, free of charge. 

Instead, the 'Skins had to part with those picks in order to win a bidding war against the Cleveland Browns for the right to move up four measly spots for Griffin. Prior to last week's draft, Rams general manager Les Snead called the trade "a big rock" for his organization (via The Rich Eisen Podcast, h/t NFL.com), and it's hard to argue against that. Here's a breakdown of the fruit the Rams have procured from the trade heard 'round the football world...

Redskins get...

Read More »213

The 2013 NFL draft has come and gone, and the Washington Redskins are looking a little bit different despite not picking in the top 50. Early last week, we broke down how the 'Skins looked from a depth standpoint heading into the draft, so let's update that analysis now that they've added some key players. 

The new chart is once again color-coded to emphasize the strong and weak spots on the roster. Those in blue are solid contributors who are worthy of the roles they currently play. The guys in green could still be upgraded upon or are still question marks. And the players in red are potential problems. Rookies are in purple.

That chart shows 10 too many players, but it's easy to see where they'll cut down the roster. Only two of those five guys we have penciled in at right tackle will probably make the cut. The last two names on there are undrafted free agents who could emerge. 

They'll also cut a quarterback (unless Robert Griffin III isn't healthy), a tight end, at least one linebacker and a few defensive backs. And both Jacksons (Rob and Tanard) are currently suspended, which hurts but also helps when it comes to the numbers game.

Read More »34

The 2013 NFL draft is over and the Philadelphia Eagles are looking like a slightly different team. We've got proof, too, because we spent some time breaking down and projecting the Eagles' depth chart before the draft, and now we have a chance to update said chart with the draft out of the way.

The chart is color-coded to emphasize the strong and weak spots on the roster. The guys in blue are solid contributors who are worthy of the roles they currently play. The guys in green could still be upgraded upon or are still question marks. And the guys in red are potential problems. Rookies are in purple.

The full chart above would put the Eagles seven spots over the roster limit, but they're only going to keep three quarterbacks and will probably be chopping at least four defensive backs, a linebacker and a defensive lineman. 

They no longer have any problem players in starting roles, since Lane Johnson takes over at right tackle and Todd Herremans replaces Danny Watkins at right guard. They didn't get a lot deeper along the offensive line, which is a small concern, but at least Watkins, Dennis Kelly and Dallas Reynolds have room to improve and starting experience.

Read More »155

A lot has changed in one week, thanks to the NFL draft. Prior to the draft, we checked in with some analysis regarding what we figured the New York Giants' depth chart might look like at that point in time. But now, with New York's rookie stable in place, we've made the necessary edits. 

The chart is once again color-coded. Players in blue are solid contributors who are worthy of the roles they currently play. Players in green could still be upgraded upon or are still question marks. And players in red are potential problems. Rookies are in purple.

The Giants have definitely loaded up on players. If everyone were to stay healthy, 11 of the names above would have to be cut before chopping down to 53.

Three, four, maybe even five of those cuts will come along the defensive line, which simply has far too many bodies right now. This could be the end of the line for Marvin Austin, Shaun Rogers and Mike Patterson, and it's not looking good for Adewale Ojomo, Justin Trattou and Markus Kuhn. 

Read More »27