The gems of a draft class aren't always first-round picks, and the picks that disappoint aren't always the third-day fliers. College Football 24/7 takes a look at the best and worst picks of each team in the NFL with respect to value and fit rather than overall talent, here focusing on the NFC East.
Dallas Cowboys
Best: DE Randy Gregory, Round 2 (No. 60 overall)
Yes, Gregory enters the NFL already in the first stage of the league's substance abuse program, and the bust potential here is high. But the upside is unparalleled for the price -- Gregory could prove to be the best pass rusher in the entire draft, an elite talent who could make a major impact on a team already of playoff quality. Sure, Dallas could have gone with a safer pick, but the outcome of a second-rounder isn't going to break this franchise.
Worst: LB Damien Wilson, Round 4 (No. 127 overall)
This was the point in the draft where Dallas could have addressed its need at running back with Boise State's Jay Ajayi, a highly productive and promising rusher despite medical concerns. When the Cowboys passed on the Plano native, they missed their last shot at one of the draft's real talents at the position. Nothing against Wilson, but Dallas needed to pass on him if it wanted a legit alternative to Darren McFadden in the backfield.
New York Giants
Best: DB Landon Collins, Round 2 (No. 33 overall)
The Giants' move to trade up from the No. 40 overall pick and grab Collins with the first pick of the second round could prove to make a major difference for the club's defense in 2015. Collins was widely expected to be a first-round pick, and the Giants weren't about to wait around and see if he fell seven more picks on Day 2.
Worst: WR Geremy Davis, Round 6 (No. 186)
Anything can happen this late in the draft, but this pick was curious at best for the Giants. Davis can make his NFL living on special teams, but there were more promising options both at this position and others. Still, the sixth round isn't a bad place to make a draft mistake.
Philadelphia Eagles
Best: CB Eric Rowe, Round 2 (No. 47 overall)
Some expected the Eagles to address the cornerback position in Round 1, but in Rowe, they might have done as well in the second round as they could have done in the first. Rowe has all the size teams are looking for now at cornerback and should make an immediate impact in the secondary.
Worst: LB Jordan Hicks, Round 3 (No. 84 overall)
It's not surprising that Philadelphia picked up a linebacker in the middle rounds, but from a value standpoint, they could have done better. Hicks anchored the Texas defense last year and should make the team, but as a top-100 pick, he was a reach. Philadelphia could likely have moved down a round and still gotten him -- if not two.
Washington Redskins
Best: LB Martrell Spaight, Round 5 (No. 141 overall)
The Redskins' 3-4 defense is just what Spaight needs: a system that will demand more from others in defending the perimeter, and more from Spaight in the area in which he excels. That would be defending the run between the tackles, where Spaight showed outstanding instincts as a senior with the Razorbacks. Of the seven Day 3 picks Washington made, Spaight is the most likely to make the roster.
Worst: OL Arie Kouandjio, Round 4 (No. 112 overall)
The Redskins got a powerful guard in Kouandjio, but also one who lacks mobility and will struggle to pull and reach the second level of the defense in the pro game. Kouandjio's knees were a concern for some NFL clubs -- obviously not Washington -- but the durability he showed the last two years as a starter makes that less of an issue. Kouandjio's play fell short early in the season last year at Alabama, but improved as the season progressed. If he struggles to start 2015, he might not get a chance to take over.
Follow Chase Goodbread on Twitter @ChaseGoodbread.
