National Football League

NFC East draft capsules

Published Apr. 23, 2015 8:25 p.m. ET

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5. WASHINGTON REDSKINS (4-12)

LAST SEASON: With revolving door at quarterback under first-year coach Jay Gruden, and all sorts of problems on defense, they finished last in NFC East for sixth time in seven seasons. So offseason overhaul included adding general manager Scot McCloughan, defensive coordinator Joe Barry, offensive line coach Bill Callahan and quarterbacks coach Matt Cavanaugh.

THEY NEED: DE/OLB, OL, S, CB, RB.

THEY DON'T NEED: LT, WR, TE, P, PK.

POSSIBLE FIRST PICK: Florida LB Dante Fowler.

OUTLOOK: An edge rusher to replace Brian Orakpo in draft considered well-stocked at that position could be way they go. But Redskins need so much help at so many spots that their likeliest move seems to be trading away No. 5 overall pick to collect extra choices.

9. NEW YORK GIANTS (6-10)

LAST SEASON: For second straight year Giants got off to poor start and were out of playoff picture after seven-game losing streak dropped them to 3-9. New West Coast offense woke up in second half of schedule with emergence of WR Odell Beckham Jr. and more accurate Eli Manning. Defense struggled all season and it cost coordinator Perry Fewell his job. Steve Spagnuolo, who guided defense to 2008 Super Bowl win over Patriots, is back.

THEY NEED: OL, S, DT.

THEY DON'T NEED: QB, RB, K, P.

POSSIBLE FIRST PICK: Iowa OL Brandon Scherff, Washington DT Danny Shelton, Alabama WR Amari Cooper.

OUTLOOK: Biggest need is on offensive line and Scherff seems logical choice - he can play tackle or guard and that would give Giants option of moving Justin Pugh from tackle to guard if Scherff plays outside. Shelton comes into play if Giants want to bolster run defense. GM Jerry Reese will pass on need if there is unexpected talent available. He took DE Jason Pierre-Paul in 2010 when there was no need, so don't be surprised if New York takes Cooper if he slips.

20. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (10-6)

LAST SEASON: Missed playoffs after going 1-3 in December following 9-3 start. Had several key injuries on offensive line, lost QB Nick Foles and MLB DeMeco Ryans for half season but were still in position to win NFC East before their collapse.

THEY NEED: WR, S, CB, OL.

THEY DON'T NEED: RB, LB, QB, TE.

POSSIBLE FIRST PICK: Oregon QB Marcus Mariota if they trade up; Alabama S Landon Collins; Connecticut CB Byron Jones; Oregon DE Arik Armstead.

OUTLOOK: Chip Kelly sent shockwaves through NFL in his first offseason in charge of personnel moves. He traded Foles and RB LeSean McCoy, allowed free agent WR Jeremy Maclin to leave and cut LB Trent Cole, OL Todd Herremans and CB Cary Williams. Kelly added QB Sam Bradford and LB Kiko Alonso in trades, signed RBs DeMarco Murray and Ryan Matthews to replace McCoy, and even brought Tim Tebow back to NFL. Kelly has reshaped roster with his players and he'll will win or lose with them. His desire to reunite with Mariota is no secret, but how much will Kelly give up to get his man?

27. DALLAS COWBOYS (12-4)

LAST SEASON: Broke three-year rut of finishing 8-8 and missing playoffs by winning NFC East and beating Detroit in wild-card round. Lost to Green Bay in divisional game.

THEY NEED: Most talk centers around RB, with NFL rushing champ DeMarco Murray gone to Philadelphia in free agency. But CB could be bigger problem with high-priced Brandon Carr underperforming and former top 10 pick Morris Claiborne struggling and not expecting to be ready for training camp because of knee injury. Cowboys could use another pass rusher, even with signing of free agent Greg Hardy, who will likely be suspended to start season.

THEY DON'T NEED: After taking offensive linemen first in three of past four drafts, Cowboys probably won't do it again. But wouldn't be wise to rule it out. Dallas also committed to Tony Romo beyond 2015 by restructuring contract to create salary cap space, but grooming of young quarterback could start with draft coming less than two weeks after Romo's 35th birthday.

POSSIBLE FIRST PICK: Wisconsin RB Melvin Gordon, Wake Forest CB Kevin Johnson.

OUTLOOK: Cowboys will test theory that any decent back can run behind one of league's best lines. Tony Romo had most efficient season of career, in part because Murray eased burden of carrying offense. If running game sputters, Romo's efficiency likely will suffer. Defense improved dramatically under first-year coordinator Rod Marinelli, but better pass rush would improve prospects for deeper playoff run. LB Bruce Carter, who led team with five interceptions, signed with Tampa Bay, so Dallas could use someone with knack for interceptions in secondary.

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