Top five NFL draft prospects for the NFC East in the college football playoff

If anything was apparent this year in the NFC East, it was the fact that just about every team needs to retool a certain area of their teams right away. So what better way to start than to draft some prospects from the top four teams in college football?

The Dallas Cowboys could use a defensive tackle, a running back and maybe a corner back or two. The Philadelphia Eagles should look to land an offensive lineman or a defensive lineman, maybe even another wide receiver. The New York Giants desperately need to address their secondary, and another wide receiver to complement Odell Beckham Jr. wouldn't hurt. And finally, the Washington Redskins could probably us an inside linebacker or another running back, maybe even another cornerback to throw in the mix.

There could be many more team needs, and the four college football teams in the playoff, Clemson, Alabama, Michigan State and Oklahoma will feature several players that can help the NFC East out.

Derrick Henry, RB, Alabama: Cotton Bowl Classic

Outside of some of the flashy quarterbacks featured in the playoffs, like Oklahoma's Baker Mayfield and Clemson's Deshsaun Watson, no player in the game will have the ability to take over a game like Derrick Henry. Henry is a gigantic running back at 6-foot-3 and 243 pounds, but he still has the ability to outrun the opponent's defense, which makes him an incredibly dangerous player. The 2015 Heisman Trophy, SEC Offensive Player of the Year, Maxwell Award, Walter Camp Player of the Year and Doan Walker Trophy winner rushed for 1,986 yards and 23 touchdowns. And he has durability as well: This was the first year Henry was a starter for Alabama, but he played in every game of his three-year career with the Crimson Tide.

Teams interested: Cowboys, Redskins

Sterling Shepard, WR, Oklahoma: Orange Bowl

Although Sterling Shepard has the build of a slot receiver at 5-foot-10 and 191 pounds, he has the ability to play as an outside receiver solely because of his downfield speed. His 2015 senior year has been his coming out party, as he set career highs in receptions (79), yards (1,201) and touchdowns (11). He will likely play a huge role for the Sooners, as Mayfield has been looking his way quite often recently. In his last five games, Shepard has 47 receptions for 652 yards and six touchdowns.

Teams interested: Giants, Redskins, Eagles

Eric Mac Lain, G, Clemson: Orange Bowl

Clemson had one of the best, if not the best, offensive lines in college football, and they had a difficult responsibility in blocking for mobile quarterback Watson. The best offensive lineman of the group was Eric Mac Lain. At 6-foot-5, 315 pounds, Mac Lain has the ideal size as an NFL guard. And he has mobility as well: Mac Lain started off his career at Clemson at a tight end.

Teams interested: Giants, Eagles

Shilique Calhoun, DE/OLB, Michigan State: Cotton Bowl Classic

A lot of teams can benefit by adding a natural leader to their roster like Shilique Calhoun. The three-year starter and three-time first-team All Big Ten member finished his season with 14.5 tackles for a loss and 10.5 sacks, giving him 27 career sacks with the Spartans. Depending on the positional need and defensive scheme, Calhoun could find himself in many teams' draft plans. At 6-foot-5 and 250 pounds with the ability to rush and drop into coverage, Calhoun can be utilized as a defensive end or an outside linebacker in the NFL.

Teams interested: Eagles, Giants

Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson: Orange Bowl

If an NFC East team wants Mackensie Alexander, they are going to have to grab him quickly, as he will unlikely drop outside of the top-15. He's just 5-10 and 190 pounds, but he's a highly-aggressive corner that was given the top corner responsibility with the Tigers, and he has dominated. He doesn't have any career interceptions at Clemson, but how can he when no one throws the ball his way? Alexander is a redshirt-sophomore, and he hasn't made his decision yet on whether or not he wants to commit to the 2016 NFL draft, but he will be a highly touted prospect if he does.

Teams interested: Giants, Cowboys, Eagles, Redskins