NFL Draft Rumors: Philadelphia Eagles Like Geno Smith As New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys Go Defense With NFC East Selections

Apr 17, 2013 01:55 PM EDT

The NFC East is usually one of the toughest divisions in football and that was no different last season as the teams battled each other and basically kept them all out of the playoffs apart from the Washington Redskins, leaving the Cowboys, Giants and Eagles to figure out how to improve in 2013.

The teams are all looking towards the draft to help improve things, especially the Giants, who missed the playoffs after winning the Super Bowl after the 2011 season. The Giants have a number of needs on the roster and chances are they will go after a defensive player, as they have ranked near the bottom of the league in various categories over the past few seasons.

The Giants were last in completion percentage allowed, yards per attempt allowed and 30-yard plays allowed according to ESPN.com and they likely will go after a linebacker, defensive lineman or cornerback with their number one pick. The team has consistently went after defensive backs, but this season it could be someone like Alec Ogletree or Ziggy Ansah if they last on the board until then. The team also could use to get younger on the offensive line after re-signing Kevin Boothe and Will Beatty since they haven't drafted an offensive lineman that high since 1999.

The team has signed a number of solid free agents that could impact their draft idea, including Brandon Myers, Cullen Jenkins, Aaron Ross and Mike Patterson. The Dallas Cowboys are in a similar situation and after giving Tony Romo a hug extension, they could be looking to improve on the cheap through the draft.

The Cowboys need help along the offensive line, defensive line as well as at safety, where they have no one really ready to play and ranked 29th in the NFL in passes defended and interceptions from that position. The team may sign Eric Winston and they could also bring in Brian Urlacher at linebacker if things don't go their way on draft day.

The Eagles were just 4-12 last season but they have a new coach in Chip Kelly and a re-energized quarterback in Michael Vick. The team could go after Geno Smith to put in the system but chances are they will go after cornerback or linebacker and they have options in Dion Jordan and Dee Milliner.

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