ESPN’s Mel Kiper ships Cowboys OL as NFC East goes all offense in mock draft
It was just a year ago that the NFC East looked ready to regain their stranglehold on the conference. Back in the late 1980s and through much of the 1990s, the NFC was dominated by the NFC East and the San Francisco 49ers. 13 straight Super Bowls were won by the conference, with 11 of them being from four teams. The 49ers won four, the Dallas Cowboys three, and the Giants and the then-Redskins won two each. Only the lowly Philadelphia Eagles weren’t able to get in on the rotation.
It appeared that things were changing in 2023 with three of the division teams making the playoffs, but the Eagles losing in the Super Bowl to the Kansas City Chiefs stumped the momentum. This year, only two teams finished above .500 and none won a playoff game. Even worse, the Washington and New York teams finished in the bottom six of the league.
In Mel Kiper’s premiere mock draft for 2024, all four teams appear to need help on offense, and that’s exactly what he shipped them.
2. Washington Commanders Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
The reigning Heisman Trophy winner improved so much in 2023, throwing 40 touchdown passes to just four interceptions while going up against a tough SEC schedule. In December, I went deep on his strengths, weaknesses and future, so you can see my full thoughts on his game there. The bottom line is it’s tight between Daniels and Maye on my board, but Daniels would be an tremendous fit for a Washington roster that has some young playmakers on offense. Maye’s inconsistency at the end of the season is enough for me to put Daniels at No. 2.
6. New York Giants Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
I keep coming back to getting Jones more help, as he has never played with a true No. 1 wide receiver. Nabers could be that. He’s coming off an 89-catch, 1,569-yard season catching passes from Jayden Daniels, and he has a rare combination of speed and route-running ability. He led the FBS with 17 catches of 30-plus yards. The Giants had just 15 total 30-plus yard receptions last season, five of which were from rookie third-rounder Jalin Hyatt.
22. Philadelphia Eagles Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State
Taking Fuaga is a way to add a top-tier talent and figure out the rest later.
Cam Jurgens, a second-rounder in 2022, probably would replace Kelce, which means the right guard spot would open up. Fuaga started 25 games at right tackle for the Beavers, but he could play inside as a rookie before ultimately replacing Johnson. He is a dominant run-blocker with powerful hands and strong lower body.
24. Dallas Cowboys Jordan Morgan, OT, Arizona
Sure, they appear to have hit on 2022 first-rounder Tyler Smith, who has excelled at left guard, but they have to add more talent to their line.
Morgan is one of my favorite pass-protectors in this class. I love the way he moves his feet and handles twists and stunts. He started 35 games at left tackle in college, which would make him a perfect fit to replace Tyron Smith.
