This is the third part in a nine-part series leading up to the NFL draft.

The NFC East featured three playoffs teams. What will it take on draft day to stay there? Let’s find out, in order of last year’s finish.

Philadelphia Eagles
Last Season Finish: 10-6, Divisional Champ, Lost in Divisional Round of Playoffs
Picks: 26 (1), 57 (2), 90 (3), 162 (5), 201 (6), 236 (7)
Glaring Hole: WR
Team Needs: S, T, QB, RB
Draft Outlook: For a team that loves to throw the football, the Eagles have yet to find a replacement for T.O. Considering RB Brian Westbrook is its best reciever, this team needs a big, speedy body to throw to down field. But all in all, this team has very few holes in it and will continue to compete for the top spot in the NFC, as it has for nearly a decade. But it all depends on Donovan McNabb combing back healthy because Jeff Garcia isn’t there anymore to back him up and bail the team out. They might want to grab an insurance QB in later rounds, as well as a backup running back who can come in and give the versatile Westbrook a breather once in a while. Maybe a more natural upfield runner. As Brian Dawkins gets older at safety, they might want to bring in someone now so he can prepare him to take over eventually. Both tackles haven’t missed a game in over 100 starts, which means they’re consistent, but also getting older. They might want to buy some insurance there. The front seven is solid, no holes there.
Projected First Pick: Michael Griffin, S, Texas
A very good safety and the leader of a strong Texas secondary, Griffin flip-flops with Florida back Reggie Nelson as the second-best safety in this year’s draft. Laron Landry from LSU is heads above both of them, but the Eagles should feel comfortabl with Griffin back there as he is speedy and can hit. At just under 6 feet, he’s no giant, but he makes up for with his nose for the ball.
Dark Horse: Dwayne Jarrett, WR, USC
Jarrett is big ( 6′4″ ) and is a physical wide receiver who can plot the slot and the split. He doesn’t clock in at the fatest time (somewhere around a 4.65), but he’s agile and quicker on the field than people think. Jarrett dropped out of plenty of big boards, but would be a great pick for the Eagles as a late first-rounder. Great hands and play-making ability.

Dallas Cowboys
Last Season Finish: 9-7, 2nd place NFC East, Lost in Wild Card Round of Playoffs
Picks: 22 (1), 53 (2), 87 (3), 122 (4), 159 (5), 195 (6), 200 (6), 212 (7), 234 (7), 237 (7)
Glaring Hole: CB
Team Needs: DT, DE, T, WR, QB
Draft Outlook: The Cowboys are in pretty good shape heading into the draft. The “glaring hole” is more of a eventual concern, considering how old the Cowboy corners are getting. They need depth at the position because the corners are relied on to cover a lot of ground to make up for hard-hitting safety Roy Williams’ lack of coverage abilities. Both O-line and a safety opposite of Williams were addressed in free agent signings, but tackle is a position they might want to buy some insurance on considering the age of T Flozell Adams and the past injuries of former first-rounder Marc Columbo. Most of the skill positions are pretty set, however, they might want to look at a wideout incase Terrell Owens blows up or Terry Glenn burns out. Drafting a quarterback would only be for backup reasons since Drew Bledsoe retired, as Tony Romo is without a doubt the starter.
Projected First Pick: Chris Houston, CB, Arkansas
Houston’s got the wrong Texas town in his name, but it doesn’t mean Dallas can’t use him. He is fast with a forty time in the low 4.3’s and has good size for a corner. He doesn’t have the hands to be an All-pro in the NFL, but that doesn’t mean he can’t cover the best. Houston has great vision for a corner and though he’ll get burned with his footwork at times, he has the speed to catch up and the muscle to make the big tackle.
Dark Horse: Anthony Gonzalez, WR, Ohio State
Gonzalez is a tough inside route runner with great hands and has decent speed. He is a smart player, runs sharp routes and can always find the hole in the secondary. An assett like Gonzalez would aleviate pressure off of Jason Whitten, allowing the Pro Bowl TE to create more mismatches, and will give Romo another weapon to make this offense even more scary.

New York Giants
Last Season Finish: 8-8, 3rd place NFC East, Lost in Wild Card Round of Playoffs
Picks: 20 (1), 51 (2), 81 (3), 116 (4), 153 (5), 189 (6), 224 (7), 250 (7)
Glaring Hole: RB
Team Needs: WR, T, G, CB, DT, OLB, S, QB
Draft Outlook: Tiki Barber may have retired on the top of his game, but for the Giants, it means they’re without an every-down running back. That’s bad news for Eli Manning who will need the ground game to take pressure off his attempt to recover from his lackluster ‘06 campaign. The Giants might say they’re ok with last year’s backup, Brandon Jacobs, who is a strong runner, but he won’t be a good feature back. Eli doesn’t have a decent backup, and though he won’t be benched this season, if he doesn’t play up to the hype, the Giants might want to groom someone in the wings. The offensive line was pretty solid, but need to find a new LT fast and should look to strengthen the guard spot in case utility linemen Gary Ruegamer can’t handle being a full-time starter at LG. NY also needs a wideout to start opposite of Plaxico Burress; it might be last year’s pick Sinorice Moss, but don’t count on it. The defense has plenty of holes, though it goes unnoticed because of the play of the DE’s, who constantly put pressure on opposing QBs, making R.W. McQuarters look a lot better than he is. The defensive backfield is solid on the surface (minus McQuarters), but has no depth. The interior d-line needs a run stopper. Outside linebacker is a huge concern.
Projected First Pick: Paul Posluszny, OLB, Penn State
If Posluszny falls to them, then the Giants cannot pass up on him. The most polished OLB in the draft, Posluszny plays with JoePa toughness and has the ability to cover ground with his speed and quickness. He makes up for his smaller size with his nose for the ball. Very smart and very NFL ready.
Dark Horse: Joe Staley, OT, Central Michigan
Maybe as good as Joe Thomas, though no one wants to say so because he comes from a mid-major school. At 6′6′’, Thomas runs a sub-5.00 forty and is an amazing athlete for his size, and his agility will allow him to bone up against some of the leagues best DE’s. Some critics say he lacks a toughness attitude on the field, but make no mistake, Staley will be starting in the NFL for a long time at LT.

Washington Redskins
Last Season Finish: 5-11, 4th place NFC East, Did not make playoffs
Picks: 6 (1), 143 (5), 179 (6), 205 (6), 216 (7)
Glaring Hole:CB
Team Needs: WR, DT, DE, QB, S, OLB
Draft Outlook: The Redskins have plenty of holes to fill, but not too many picks to do it. They still might trade down to aquire a few more, but its unlikely someone will want to move up unless the Bears reconsider the trade offer. Since trading shut-down corner Champ Bailey for Clinton Portis in 2004, the Redskins have yet to fill the void left in the defensive backfield. Unfortunately, unless they move down, there isn’t a corner worthy of their first pick and anyone they pick up later won’t be a starter. Head coach Joe Gibbs better hope that Jason Campbell is an NFL starter–he showed glimpses of it at times, but will need to step up his game–or Gibbs will go back to being a full-time race car owner. The defensive line is pretty poor and lacks any pass rusher, and were pretty pathetic against the run as well (27th). Sean Taylor and Troy Vincent make for a better-than average safety duo, but while Taylor is immensely talented and young, Vincent is decling and aging. They might look for a nickelback/future starter with one of their later picks.
Projected First Pick: Jamaal Anderson, DE, Arkansas
Some are questioning if Anderson has the goods coming out as an underclassmen–he does. The Redskins might be hesitant to draft Anderson because he is still pretty raw and they need someone who can produce immediately, but I don’t see DE as a position that needs much development, especially when you can run a 4.75 forty and you’re nearly 6′6′’.
Dark Horse: Alan Branch, DT, Michigan
At only age 20, Amobi Okoye might be the more interesting prospect, but Branch is more than a sure thing. He’s big and strong and will immediately improve one of the worst run defenses.