The hype of free agency has come and gone and now it’s time to look at what teams have gained and lost since March 17th and where they stand as they prepare for the upcoming draft. Let’s continue with the NFC East.
Dallas Cowboys
Key acquisitions: S Keanu Neal, S Damontae Kazee, DE Tarell Basham, OT Ty Nsekhe, DT Carlos Watkins, DE Brent Urban, LS Jacob McQuaide, S Jayron Kearse, TE Jeremy Sprinkle, P Bryan Anger
Re-signed: QB Dak Prescott, CB Jourdan Lewis, WR Noah Brown
Departures: CB Chidobe Awuzie (Bengals), P Chris Jones, QB Andy Dalton (Bears), S Xavier Woods (Vikings), G Cam Erving (Panthers), LB Joe Thomas (Texans), DL Tyrone Crawford, DE Aldon Smith (Seahawks), LB Sean Lee (retired)
Analysis: I can’t be the only one relieved of the Dak Prescott contract negotiations storyline that have flooded headlines for years. The deal is finally done, and Dak got paid, but that didn’t stop the Cowboys from being active in free agency, building up their defense, one of the worst units in all of football.
The Cowboys brought in a pair of former Falcons, in safeties Keanu Neal and Damontae Kazee. Neal is a hard-hitting linebacker/safety hybrid who has had some major injuries the past few seasons after entering as a first-round pick in 2016. His replacement, Kazee, was a playmaker throughout the secondary and even led the league in interceptions in 2018. Neal is expected to switch to linebacker, and Kazee will be a full-time starter probably alongside Donovan Wilson, with Jayron Kearse also in the mix. They lost starters Chidobe Awuzie and Xavier Woods, so they still have work to do in the secondary. Many mock drafts have them taking a corner in the first round, and I agree. They were able to bring back starting nickel Jourdan Lewis on a multi-year deal, so they get to keep one veteran.
On the defensive line they lost Tyrone Crawford to retirement and Aldon Smith is signing with Seattle, so they brought in former Jet and Colts draft pick Tarell Basham. He had a solid year in New York, and fits the mold of Crawford, so he’ll have a role. They also signed a couple backups in former Texan Carlos Watkins and former Bear Brent Urban.
Conclusion: While they didn’t sign many big names, the Cowboys brought in a couple key starters on defense to try to improve that unit. Neal and Kazee are very good players, but they both have injury histories, but when they’re on they’re pretty good. The moves are underwhelming on paper, but they did the most important move of all, signing Prescott, finally. They have some moves to make in the draft, and if they get it right, this roster is ready to roll. The offense is set, as long as the offensive line returns healthy. Their weapons are legit, and is Prescott is back healthy, look out. Their defense stinks, but coaching and some fresh blood could help. Focus on defense in the draft, and the NFC East will run through Dallas.
New York Giants
Key acquisitions: WR Kenny Golladay, CB Adoree’ Jackson, WR John Ross, LB Reggie Ragland, TE Kyle Rudolph, DT Danny Shelton, RB Devontae Booker, DE Ryan Anderson, G Zach Fulton, DE Ifeadi Odenigbo, QB Mike Glennon
Re-signed: DL Leonard Williams
Departures: DT Dalvin Tomlinson (Vikings), G Kevin Zeitler (Ravens), WR Golden Tate, LB David Mayo (Washington), RB Wayne Gallman (49ers), LB Kyler Fackrell (Chargers), QB Colt McCoy (Cardinals)
Remaining free agents: OT Cameron Fleming, DE Jabaal Sheard, S Nate Ebner
Analysis: I am very impressed and excited by the moves the Giants made this offseason. They signed very talented players at key positions of need, and this team showed signs of greatness last year. After a 6-10 season, which almost won the division, the Giants worked this offseason to sign guys all across their roster, filling several holes with star players.
The biggest move of the Giants offseason was signing former Lions star receiver Kenny Golladay to a four-year, $72 million deal. Daniel Jones didn’t take the necessary leaps in year two, and a poor supporting cast around him was one of the reasons. Golladay is a true WR1, which takes the pressure off Sterling Shepard and Darius Slayton, who are more WR2/3 than 1s. They also brought in the speedy John Ross, who had a bad tenure in Cincinnati as a former top 10 pick, and hopes to add a speed element to the Giants offense that they haven’t had yet. Another important move on offense they made was signing longtime Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph, who’s a more traditional tight end than the one dimensional pass-catching Evan Engram. One change on the offensive line is the arrival of former Texans starting guard Zach Fulton, who will compete for a job to replace Kevin Zeitler.
I do wanna talk about the signing of Devontae Booker. The NFL world was obsessed over Saquon Barkley when he entered the league as one of the best talents they’ve ever seen. He was stellar as a rookie in all 16 games, was very good in 2019 but missed three games, and his 2020 season only lasted two weeks. The Giants offense struggled to run, deploying guys like Dion Lewis, Devonta Freeman, and Wayne Gallman. The first two are over the hill and not the players they once were, and the latter has been a backup most of his career, and could only handle so much. Booker is a guy who has also been a backup most of his career, but every time he’s come in and needed to be a starter, he excelled. He reminds me of a poor man’s Saquon, which is perfect for a backup to Barkley himself. You need a multiple good running backs on your roster nowadays with injuries, there’s very rarely true bell-cow every down backs who never take a snap off. You gotta keep guys fresh to prolong their seasons and careers, and I think Booker can take the pressure off Barkley and keep him healthy.
On defense they extended one of their own finally, signing Leonard Williams to a massive extension, that makes him one of the highest-paid defensive players. He was a beast last year, which was timed perfectly in a contract year. Joining him on the defensive line is Danny Shelton, another monster on the inside who was cut by the Lions after one season. He’ll help fill the void of Dalvin Tomlinson. They also added some pass rush from a division rival in Ryan Anderson, a former Washington second-rounder who couldn’t crack the starting lineup his entire four-year career. His best year was in 2019 where he had four starts with five forced fumbles and four sacks. The Giants are hoping they’ll unlock his potential with plenty of playing time as they don’t have much else. Reggie Ragland is a nice pickup too, so he’ll likely slide in next to Blake Martinez at inside linebacker. Adoree’ Jackson was a great get that many didn’t expect to be available this year after he was cut by Tennessee. He got a nice three-year deal, and boosts a secondary that was really good last year after the additions of James Bradberry and Logan Ryan.
Conclusion: I’m comparing the Giants situation to the Bills from a couple years ago. Give your quarterback one more year to truly evaluate him. This is the most important year for the New York Giants. They made the moves to get it done, so prove to the world you didn’t screw up with the Jones pick.
Philadelphia Eagles
Key acquisitions: S Anthony Harris, LB Eric Wilson, QB Joe Flacco, S Andrew Adams
Re-signed: DT Hassan Ridgeway, RB Jordan Howard
Departures: QB Carson Wentz (Colts), WR DeSean Jackson (Rams), WR Alshon Jeffery, DT Malik Jackson (Browns), CB Jalen Mills (Patriots), LB Nathan Gerry (49ers), SS Rudy Ford (Jaguars), P Cameron Johnston (Texans), LB Duke Riley (Dolphins), DE Vinny Curry (Jets)
Remaining free agents: CB Nickell Robey-Coleman, OT Jason Peters, CB Cre’Von LeBlanc
Analysis: The Eagles have been taking Ls a lot the past year, on and off the field, and they took a lot this free agency, but they could be for the better. They cut many of their veteran players out of their prime, losses on paper, but probably help. The most notable loss was one of the biggest storylines of the young offseason, trading their once face of the franchise, MVP-level quarterback Carson Wentz to the Colts. The writing was on the wall for Wentz to be out the door after another season of poor play after getting paid a weirdly rich contract. The shocking drafting of Jalen Hurts last year makes sense now, as they’re moving forward with him as the starter, barring anything in the draft. They’re basically starting over, giving up on what they had in 2018. Their quarterback is gone, their coach is gone, they gotta start over and wipe clean from the previous regime. In addition to the loss of Wentz, they cut DeSean Jackson and Alshon Jeffery, two veteran receivers who had several injury issues and can’t produce anymore. Same for Malik Jackson, who was just an injury-prone cap casualty.
Aside from the old veteran cap victims, the Eagles had to say goodbye to two starters: Jalen Mills and Nathan Gerry. They’re not big names, but they’ve been a big part of that defense for several years, and they’re going to need replacements. Those guys were actually signed in free agency, a couple former Vikings: Anthony Harris and Eric Wilson. Harris got the franchise tag last year after a very good season, but his play fell off in 2020, and he had to settle on a one-year deal in Philly. Wilson is not a well-known name, but he’s been solid for Minnesota for a few years now, and had 122 tackles last year.
Conclusion: The Eagles are in a rough spot in 2021, and I don’t expect them to be much of anything. Hurts didn’t impress me last year, so who knows what’s gonna happen. The offense has some decent weapons with Miles Sanders, Jalen Reagor, Travis Fulgham, Dallas Goedert, and maybe even Zach Ertz if he’s on the team. Injuries have killed this team year after year, and it’ll probably kill them this year too. The defense kinda stinks, I don’t see anyone that sticks out as a difference maker, just a bunch of washed-up vets and random practice squadders who barely made the team. This is not an exciting team right now, so Eagles you got a lot of work to do. Prove me wrong, but I think I’m gonna be right about this one.
Washington Football Team
Key acquisitions: QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, WR Curtis Samuel, CB William Jackson III, WR Adam Humphries, LB David Mayo, G Ereck Flowers, C Tyler Larsen, CB Darryl Roberts, WR DeAndre Carter
Re-signed: G Brandon Scherff (franchise), K Dustin Hopkins, OT David Sharpe, RB Lamar Miller, LB Jared Norris
Departures: QB Alex Smith, CB Ronald Darby (Broncos), LB Kevin Pierre-Louis (Texans), CB Fabian Moreau (Falcons)
Remaining free agents: DE Ryan Kerrigan, LB Reuben Foster
Analysis: The team that plays football in Washington has become one of the most intriguing franchises to follow, the good, but mostly the bad. They’re working to rebuild their reputation under Ron Rivera, and they’re doing it the right way. They’ve got a long way to go, but they’re on the right track, and they started by making smart moves in free agency. During the 2020 season, they cut ties with former first-round quarterback Dwayne Haskins after two seasons. He was expected to be the new face of the franchise, but horrible play and a terrible attitude knocked him out, now it’s time to start anew. They signed the perfect replacement in Ryan Fitzpatrick, the veteran journeyman who brings excitement to every team he plays for, and this just seems like a perfect match. He’s not going to be the future, but he’ll get you through the season and make you competitive while you look for your next young signal caller.
Joining Fitzpatrick in that offense is former Panthers versatile receiver Curtis Samuel. He doesn’t have massive numbers, but he’s been a reliable target in Carolina who can gains yards on the ground. He adds a new element to any offense, and if properly utilized, can be dynamic. He joins his former Ohio State teammate Terry McLaurin as a solid 1-2 punch, with former Titans receiver Adam Humphries in the slot.
On defense they brought in former Bengals first-round cornerback William Jackson on a three-year deal. Jackson is a solid player, not a superstar corner yet, but he’s been a very good player in Cincinnati. He replaces Ronald Darby and will play opposite Kendall Fuller.
Conclusion: The WFT still has some work to do, but I think this is a good enough roster to compete in this division. The offense is much improved with Fitzpatrick under center over Haskins or Alex Smith. They did bring back Taylor Heinicke, who played well in their playoff loss to the Bucs, so there’ll be some competition. The offense showed flashes last year with McLaurin taking the next step as a top receiver, along with breakout star Logan Thomas at tight end. I love what I’ve seen from Antonio Gibson at running back, they’ve got a real young stud at the position now. The offensive line is ok now that they brought back Brandon Scherff, but it’s not great. The defensive line was fantastic last year, littered with first round picks, but they’re without their veteran leader Ryan Kerrigan at the moment. The rest of the defense is fine, but has room for improvement. Who knows what their plan is for the draft, but quarterback has to be on their mind.
The NFC East was a terrible division last year, but looks much improved after this offseason. Each time made solid moves, some better than others. Let’s just hope this is actually a competitive division in 2021.
Football Nerds 