2012 NFL Mock Draft: Thoughts and Analysis of Matt Miller's NFC East Picks

The NFC East remains one of the most hotly contested divisions in the NFL year after year, but it only takes one strong draft to swing the tide in any given year.

The New York Giants have proven their ability to do so over the past few years especially, and it has proven key to their winning two Super Bowls in four years.

Miller gave us his latest first-round mock draft after the Super Bowl. Here's what he had to say about the potential picks in the NFC East.

No. 2: TRADE—Washington Redskins Select Robert Griffin III, Quarterback, Baylor

Matt says: "Griffin is a leader; that much is unquestioned. His leadership, athleticism and ability to carry the team will make Griffin worthy of the bounty Washington is sending to St. Louis in exchange for the pick."

My slant: After the 2011 draft, many said the Redskins missed out on quarterback Blaine Gabbert. Turns out, all they missed on was the quarterback who threw for the third-fewest yards of any quarterback that started more than 10 games in 2011 (ahead of only Tim Tebow and Matt Moore) and also had the lowest passer rating of 34 qualifying quarterbacks in the league in 2011.

The Redskins have wanted for a franchise quarterback for years, having kicked the tires on Donovan McNabb after the Jason Campbell project failed to work out in Washington. Griffin is unquestionably the second-best quarterback available in the draft, and if the Redskins are unable to land Peyton Manning in free agency, Griffin would be a great consolation prize.

No. 14: Dallas Cowboys Select Janoris Jenkins, Cornerback, North Alabama

Matt says: "Jerry Jones, as owner of the Dallas Cowboys, has never been afraid to take a flier on a talented player with off-field issues. ...Based on play alone, Jenkins is a legitimate top-15 player in this class. All it will take is one team looking past his issues and listening to his explanations of how he's matured and grown on and off the field."

My slant: Matt's take tells you all you need to know about why Jenkins would fit like a glove in Dallas. The Cowboys clearly need help in the back end, ranking 23rd in passing yards allowed (3,906 total, 244 yards per game) and 25th in defensive passer rating (88.4).

Their corners looked lost in coverage at times, and though Jenkins provides a physical presence, what the Cowboys really need are disciplined players to roam the secondary.

No. 15: Philadelphia Eagles Select Michael Floyd, Wide Receiver, Notre Dame

Matt says: "The Philadelphia Eagles enter an offseason with complete uncertainty surrounding the future of free-agent wide receiver DeSean Jackson. Should Jackson, who was visibly disgruntled this season, decide to leave the Eagles, the team will be hard-pressed to find a player to replace him."

My slant: It's not that hard to envision a scenario where Jackson doesn't suit up for the Eagles in 2012. After holding out for more money, he went on to have a very implosive season, with several incidents throughout 2011. Replacing Jackson with Floyd seems a bit curious to me, though; trading one headache for another doesn't seem like the best move. 

In terms of replacing a dynamic playmaker, though, Floyd is a good fit. He had a catch of over 25 yards in eight games and over 30 yards in five games. 

The Eagles do have a more dire need at linebacker, from this perspective, and could go after Alabama linebacker Dont'a Hightower if they agree. 

No. 32: New York Giants Select Orson Charles, Tight End, Georgia

Matt says: "The Giants will take the best player on their board, regardless of position. Charles is a JPP-like addition that may not make great sense when selected, but will become a key franchise player down the road."

My slant: Well, this may certainly be a position of need with the news about tight ends Jake Ballard and Bear Pascoe. According to Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News, Jerry Reese has said that the two tight ends will likely start the season on the PUP list. Both tore their ACL in Super Bowl XLVI.

The Patriots have proven that an offense with dynamic playmakers at tight end can still be explosive, and the Giants will certainly be in the market for both a tight end and a pass-catching threat, with Mario Manningham likely to hit free agency.

A first round tight end may not seem ideal to New York fans, but Charles is a rare breed with a lot of physical talent as a blocker and athletic ability as a pass-catching tight end.