In a dreary draft class, the NFC East shines
This draft class has been a major reason that the NFC East is one of toughest divisions in the NFL. The Cowboys drafted a franchise player in the first round with DeMarcus Ware, the Giants drafted key pieces of their Super Bowl team, the Eagles saved their draft in Round 5 with Trent Cole and the Redskins have their quarterback of the future. Let's take a team-by-team look at the NFC East's 2005 draft class.
Dallas Cowboys
This draft class has really built the foundation for what they have become today, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Ware, along with San Diego's Shawne Merriman, are the two best players in this draft class. DE Marcus Spears has underachieved at times, but is a good starter. Day 2 picks RB Marion Barber, DE Chris Canty and NT Jay Ratliff were steals.To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Don't be too quick to judge a team's draft
Scouts Inc. tests the theory that it takes three years to fully evaluate a team's draft class by looking back at the '05 draft. The lesson learned is grades handed out on draft day do not always match the grades handed out three years later.
Re-grading the 2005 draft
If the 49ers knew LB Shawne Merriman was going terrorize the NFL, would they have taken him first overall instead of QB Alex Smith? We think so.
Check out the rest of Scouts Inc.'s 2005 re-draft.
Top-10 offensive and defensive players in '05 class
We spent most of our time breaking down and re-grading each team's draft class. 
• AFC East
• AFC North
• AFC South
• AFC West
• NFC East
• NFC North
• NFC South
• NFC West
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- Tools: PickCenter | Game Predictor
- Draft: Mel's Big Board (11/18) | NFL draft blog
