The Dallas Cowboys came away with a draft that has garnered mixed reviews. Dallas added multiple impressive athletes; however, there are questions on how much value the Cowboys came away with on draft weekend.

Tyler Smith was the team's first-round draft pick. An athletic lineman prospect, Smith struggles with holding penalties and has not played the position he was drafted to play: guard. Prospects such as Tyler Linderbaum, Jermaine Johnson, and Devin Lloyd were all on the board.

Sam Williams was drafted in the second-round, as the Cowboys went with need at pass rusher over other positions. Williams has the potential to be a speed rusher off the edge, but he may not be ready to be an every-down contributor as a rookie.

It will be interesting to see whether or not the Cowboys' strategy works out. Dallas is a team that has had a lot of success in the draft, but the team also has some notable misses over the years. Taco Chartlon and Trysten Hill come to mind.

What is not up for debate is that the Dallas Cowboys will be under a lot of pressure during the 2022 season. Dallas enters the year as the reigning division champion, but the three other teams in the division got better.

NFC EAST IMPROVED DURING DRAFT

While the Dallas Cowboys parted ways with Amari Cooper and La'el Collins, the rest of the NFC East used the offseason to get better. Especially when it comes to the New York Giants and the Philadelphia Eagles.

The New York Giants had, on paper, one of the best drafts this year. New York added blue chip prospects in defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux and offensive tackle Evan Neal. Those figure to be day-one starters in the Big Apple.

Additionally, the Giants added playmaking receiver Wan'Dale Robinson and cornerback Cor'Dale Flatt on the second day of the draft. The Giants, at least on paper, look to be getting better.

Furthermore, the Eagles came away with an impressive draft haul as well. Philadelphia drafted massive defensive tackle Jordan Davis in round one. Then, the team added center Cam Jergens in the second-round and — perhaps the biggest steal of the weekend — Nakobe Dean in the third.

If that was not enough, the Eagles parted ways with the No. 18 selection and a third-round pick to acquire Pro Bowl pass catcher AJ Brown. Brown immediately gives the Eagles a bonafide weapon to pair with Devonta Smith on the outside.

As for Washington, the team added Carson Wentz at quarterback through trade, drafted Penn State receiver Jahan Dotson in the first-round, and added Alabama defensive tackle Phildarian Mathis. The Commanders also took a flier on former North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell on day three.

WHY THE PRESSURE IS ON

It is difficult to say that the Dallas Cowboys are better on paper than they were when the season ended. Dallas was forced to fill holes at wide receiver, defensive line, and offensive line after some questionable moves were made during the offseason.

Dak Prescott has won the division three times in his career with the Cowboys. However, either due to injury or poor team play, Dallas has yet to repeat as divisional champs. In fact, it's been since 2004 since a team has successfully defended an NFC East title.

I see it's that time of the year where everyone projects PHI to best DAL while ignoring the stark advantage DAL has at the most important position in the sport.

Always fun.

— John Owning (@JohnOwning) May 2, 2022

Mike McCarthy is under scrutiny as he enters season three on the job. There is thought that a change could be made if Dallas does not reach the NFC Championship next season — a feat that has not been accomplished in more than two decades.

Dallas is still the betting favorite to win the division. That makes sense, as the Cowboys have, by far, the best quarterback of the four teams. With Prescott behind center, Dallas should find a way to repeat.

However, the pressure is on in Dallas. The Cowboys have work to do, especially with much of the division improving their rosters.

Featured image via Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports