A look at the NFC East teams’ offseason

The Eagles have gotten good grades for their offseason moves, but what about the competition in the NFC East? Here is a look at how all four teams have fared this offseason. The free-agent list comes from spotrac.com. (We will revisit things in September in our preseason rankings because a lot can occur between now and then). 

Philadelphia Eagles

Key free-agent additions: QB Marcus Mariota (from Atlanta), S Justin Evans (from New Orleans), CB Greedy Williams (from Cleveland), RB Rashaad Penny (from Seattle), DE Kentavious Street (from New Orleans), WR Olamide Zaccheaus (from Atlanta), LB Nicholas Morrow (from Chicago), S Terrell Edmunds (from Pittsburgh), TE Dan Arnold (from Jacksonville). 

Key free-agent losses: DT Javon Hargrave (San Francisco), OT Andre Dillard (Tennessee), RB Miles Sanders (Carolina), OG Isaac Seumalo (Pittsburgh), LB T.J. Edwards (Chicago), S Marcus Epps (Las Vegas), LB Kyzir White (Arizona), DB Chauncey Gardner Johnson (Detroit), WR Zach Pascal (Arizona), QB Gardner Minshew (Indianapolis). 

Key trade additions: RB D’Andre Swift (from Detroit).

Draft choices: (1) Jalen Carter, DT Georgia; (1) Nolan Smith, Edge Georgia); (3) Tyler Steen, OT Alabama; (3) Sydney Brown, S, Illinois; (4) Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia; (6) Tanner McKee, QB Stanford; (7) Moro Ojomo, DE Texas. 

Conclusion: The Eagles by all accounts received high grades for acing the draft and also for acquiring Swift, who is in the final year of his contract. So much depends on how Carter develops, but GM Howie Roseman has done a good job replenishing the roster after so many free-agent defections. 

Dallas Cowboys

Key free-agent additions: LS Trent Sieg (from Las Vegas), OT Chuma Edoga (from Atlanta), RB Ronald Jones II (from Kansas City).

Key trade additions: CB Stephen Gilmore (from Indianapolis). Acquired WR Brandin Cooks from Houston. 

Key free-agent losses: OG Connor McGovern (Buffalo), TE Dalton Schultz (Houston), LB Luke Gifford (Tennessee), WR Noah Brown (Houston), DE Carlos Watkins (Arizona), LS Jake McQuaide (Detroit).

Draft choices: (1) Mazi Smith, DT Michigan; (2) Luke Schoonmaker, TE Michigan, (3) DeMarvion Overshown ILB Texas, (4) Villami Fehoko, DE San Jose State; (5) Asim Richards, OT North Carolina, (6) Eric Scott Jr., CB Southern Mississippi; (6) Deuce Vaughn, RB Kansas State; (7) Jalen Brooks, WR South Carolina. 

Conclusion: The Cowboy draft seems like a head-scratcher. They hope Smith will help their run defense, but will he do much against the pass? Shoonmaker is a solid tight end, but a major step down from Schultz. Richards, in the fifth round, could be a sleeper, but Dallas’ offseason will be judged on how Gilmore and Cooks perform. Both are talented players, although Gilmore will turn 33 in September and he’ll have to show he has plenty left. Cooks enters his 10th season. Although he won’t turn 30 until September, he should be an excellent No. 2 receiver for Dallas. While the Cowboys rarely live up to expectations, they should have a better team next season if they can replace Schultz’s production. 

New York Giants

Key free-agent additions: LB Bobby Ekereke (from Indianapolis), DT Rakeem Nunez-Roches (from Tampa Bay), DE A-Shawn Robinson (from LA Rams), WR Parris Campbell (from Indianapolis), WR Jamison Crowder (from Buffalo), CB Bobby McCain (from Washington), CB Amani Oruwariye (from Detroit), Center J.C. Hassenauer (from Pittsburgh), WR Jeff Smith (from NJ Jets), 

Key free-agent losses: FS Julian Love (Seattle), OG Nick Gates (Washington), C Jon Feliciano (to San Francisco), WR Richie James (to KC). 

Key trade additions: Acquired TE Darren Waller from Las Vegas. 

Draft choices: (1) Deonte Banks, CB Maryland; (2) John Michael Schmitz, C Minnesota; (3) Jalin Hyatt, WR Tennessee; (5) Eric Gray, RB Oklahoma; (6) Tre Hawkins III, CB Old Dominion; (7) Jordan Riley, DT Oregon; (7) Gervarrius Owens, S, Houston.

Conclusion: One could argue that with the addition of Waller (if he can stay healthy) and the top three draft choices, the Giants might be the most improved team in the division, although they don’t seem up to the level of the Eagles or Dallas. 

Washington Commanders

Key free-agent additions: OT Andrew Wylie (from KC), OG Nick Gates (from NY Giants), QB Jacoby Brissett (from Cleveland), LB Cody Barton (from Seattle), OG Trenton Scott (from Pittsburgh), DE Abdullah Anderson (from Atlanta), 

Key free-agent losses: LB Cole Holcomb (Pittsburgh), QB Taylor Heinicke (Atlanta), OG Wes Schweitzer (NY Jets), CB Bobby McCain (NY Giants), OG Wes Martin (Cleveland).

Key additions through trade: none. 

Draft choices: (1) Emmanuel Forbes, CB Mississippi State; (2) Jartavius Martin, S Illinois; (3) Ricky Stromberg, C Arkansas; (4) Braeden Daniels, OG Utah; (5) KJ Henry, DE Clemson; (6) Chris Rodriguez Jr., RB Kentucky; (7) Andre Jones, OLB Louisiana.

Conclusion: The Commanders made some smart moves, including bringing in Brissett, in case Sam Howell struggles at QB. The OL still seems below par and right now, they look like the fourth-best team in this competitive division. 

Article continues below

---

advertisement

---

Related Articles

- Shining Stars

Game changers. Difference makers. Student athletes.
Meet the local high school kids poised for a big spring season.

- Seizing the Moment

After the spring season was canceled last year due to the pandemic, these standout student-athletes from South Jersey are hoping to make the most of their opportunities in 2021.

- High School Football Preview

Whether it's a visit to the cardiologist or to the spa for a blueberry facial, there's nothing we won't do for our furry friends.

---

Author: Marc Narducci