NFC East rookies who will make the biggest impact in 2023
The 2023 NFL Draft welcomed 28 players to the NFC East, seven for each team. These rookies should make an immediate impact on their respective teams.
Dallas Cowboys
Mazi Smith, DT (First round): Second-round pick TE Luke Schoonmaker deserves consideration, but he’ll fight for targets with CeeDee Lamb and Brandin Cooks all year. His former Michigan teammate projects as an every-down player and his athleticism could make life difficult for opposing linemen.
Smith was drafted to be a run stuffer. At 6-foot-3, 337 pounds, his mere presence on the interior line will make it easier for Micah Parsons and Demarcus Lawrence to rush the passer. Dallas gave up the fifth-fewest points in 2023 but only 10 teams allowed more rushing yards per game. Smith doesn’t offer much in terms of pass rush, but he stopped the run at Michigan and should have no problem doing the same for the Cowboys.
New York Giants
John Michael Schmitz, C (Second round): Schmitz was widely considered the best center in the draft. The 300-pound Golden Gopher is an excellent run-blocker and led all centers with a 92.3 grade from Pro Football Focus in 2022.
The Giants lost Jon Feliciano and Nick Gates during free agency so Schmitz should start right away. He made all the line calls for Minnesota and now he gets to block for a mobile quarterback in Daniel Jones and one of the league’s best running backs in Saquon Barkley.
Philadelphia Eagles
Jalen Carter, DT (First round): No surprise here. When a player many considered the best in the draft joins a Super Bowl team, that player is expected to make an impact, especially when there’s a glaring need at his position.
Javon Hargrave is now in San Francisco. Fletcher Cox is now 32 years old and Jordan Davis played very little in 2022. No team gave up fewer passing yards than the Eagles last year, but their run defense gave up 121.6 yards per game. Carter joins a rotation that includes Milton Williams and Kentavius Street, but make no mistake, the team’s No. 1 pick will get the most reps.
Washington Commanders
Emmanuel Forbes, CB (First round): Washington’s pass defense is actually pretty good. Only three teams gave up fewer yards through the air last season, but the Commanders had just nine interceptions, the fourth-lowest number in the league. Their minus-five point differential was seventh worst in the NFL.
Forbes could be the answer. He had 14 interceptions at Mississippi State and returned six of them for touchdowns. Where he fits in the team’s secondary remains to be seen, but defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio should have no trouble finding room for the rookie ball-hawk.
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