Historical past says there will probably be a brand new champion within the NFC East in 2024.
As a result of it may possibly’t be the Dallas Cowboys, will or not it’s the Philadelphia Eagles, New York Giants or Washington Commanders? Or can the Cowboys turn out to be the primary workforce to repeat as division champion because the Eagles in 2003-04?
It has been an offseason of change within the NFC East.
Washington has a brand new teaching workers, led by former Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, and took LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels with the No. 2 choose within the draft.
The Giants have a brand new defensive coordinator and have been unwilling to say who will name performs on offense, whereas apparently sticking with Daniel Jones at quarterback.
Philadelphia has new coordinators for the second straight yr, and head coach Nick Sirianni is beneath some strain after an end-of-season collapse, whereas quarterback Jalen Hurts seems to be to reassert himself.
The Cowboys have changed Quinn with Mike Zimmer, however they enter the season with coach Mike McCarthy and his workers within the ultimate yr of their respective contracts. And quarterback Dak Prescott, who completed second within the 2023 MVP voting, can also be coming into the ultimate yr of his contract.
Two years in the past, three NFC East groups made the postseason (Eagles, Cowboys, Giants) and so they all received a playoff recreation. Final yr, two NFC East groups made the playoffs (Cowboys, Eagles) and neither received a recreation, whereas the Commanders and Giants struggled sufficient to finish up with top-10 picks.
With the draft full and rosters near being settled, ESPN reporters John Keim (Commanders), Jordan Raanan (Giants), Tim McManus (Eagles) and Todd Archer (Cowboys) have a look at a few of the greatest looming questions within the NFC East.
Dallas Cowboys
Greatest offseason addition
It is troublesome to say it is a participant, contemplating the Cowboys’ strategy to free company, though linebacker Eric Kendricks is a stable addition. However the straightforward reply is the brand new defensive coordinator, identical because the outdated defensive coordinator, Zimmer. After a few years away from the NFL, following his run because the Minnesota Vikings’ head coach, Zimmer is again as Dallas’ coordinator for the primary time since 2006. The Cowboys had numerous success with Quinn, particularly taking the ball away, however Zimmer will deliver some schematic modifications (assorted coverages, completely different blitz seems to be) and extra dimension (no extra safeties masking as linebackers).
What’s left to do on the roster?
The Cowboys can profess to place confidence in final yr’s No. 1 choose, Mazi Smith, at defensive deal with, however he contributed little as a rookie and is coming off shoulder surgical procedure. Whereas they added one other deal with, Justin Rogers, within the seventh spherical, they want some energy on the inside. Including a veteran defensive deal with seems to be to be a should. Including one other receiver would not harm both, particularly contemplating what the group seems to be like if one thing occurs to CeeDee Lamb and/or Brandin Cooks. However, no, it won’t be a participant on a high-priced contract.
Assess the Cowboys’ QB scenario
Good factor you are asking about this yr, as a result of not one of the quarterbacks are signed for 2025 in the meanwhile. Prescott is coming off his greatest season and was runner-up within the MVP voting final season. He can have two new starters on the offensive line and a operating again by committee with outdated pal Ezekiel Elliott again and Tony Pollard gone. Prescott and Lamb, who set workforce information in catches and yards in 2023, have unimaginable chemistry. And that is the second yr of McCarthy calling the performs, so there ought to be a bounce in consolation there, too. With Prescott in a contract yr, there is no such thing as a doubt he’ll wish to repeat or enhance upon what he did final season (4,516 yards, 36 TDs, 9 INTs).
Who would be the greatest shock?
A yr in the past, no person had cornerback DaRon Bland main the NFL in interceptions and setting a report with 5 returned for touchdowns. Or kicker Brandon Aubrey coming from the USFL to guide the NFL in factors. Let’s go together with third-year receiver Jalen Tolbert. He went from two catches for 12 yards as a rookie to 22 catches for 268 yards and two scores in 2023. With Michael Gallup gone, Tolbert will get the primary crack because the No. 3 receiver. He has earned Prescott’s belief and might want to take one other step in 2024.
Philadelphia Eagles
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Greatest offseason addition
Working again Saquon Barkley. With the addition of Barkley, the Eagles have assembled arguably the perfect talent place group in workforce historical past. He joins a loaded offense that additionally options Hurts, receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, and tight finish Dallas Goedert. There’s actually danger in handing Barkley a three-year, $37.75 million contract — he is coming into his seventh NFL season and has dealt along with his share of accidents — however Philadelphia believes there’s nonetheless untapped potential. “He exhibited a really particular talent set, each within the operating and the passing recreation, that we predict actually will be maximized by being on a workforce with higher talent positions, quarterback, offensive line,” workforce CEO Jeffrey Lurie stated.
What’s left to do on the roster?
Type out the beginning secondary. The Eagles chosen defensive backs Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean within the first two rounds of April’s draft. Each have an opportunity to begin straight away (Mitchell is an outdoor nook, whereas DeJean is multifunctional and will fill the necessity at nickel) however might want to assault the training curve this summer season. It is an fascinating combine at cornerback with a few older vets in Darius Slay (33) and James Bradberry (31 in August) paired with numerous youth. On offense, the Eagles have to fill the emptiness at proper guard created when Cam Jurgens moved to heart to exchange All-Professional Jason Kelce, who retired this offseason. Second-year participant Tyler Steen seems to be the front-runner heading into camp.
Assess the Eagles’ QB scenario
Hurts took a step again final season after a near-MVP marketing campaign in 2022. The trio of Sirianni, offensive coordinator Brian Johnson and Hurts struggled to sync up for a lot of the season — a disconnect that got here to gentle in the course of the workforce’s 1-6 slide to finish the marketing campaign. Johnson was changed by Kellen Moore in an effort to revitalize the offense. Hurts must be taught the revamped scheme and overcome the lack of Kelce, who was instrumental in setting protections and problem-solving up entrance. However Hurts is surrounded by a ton of expertise and has proven that he can play at a excessive stage.
Who would be the greatest shock?
Large receiver/returner Ainias Smith. The rookie fifth-round select of Texas A&M may have a possibility to affect the sport in a number of methods. The Eagles want somebody to step as much as declare the slot receiver spot. Smith (53 catches for 795 yards in 2023) is adept at working the center of the sphere and, with some operating again in his background, can create after the catch. He additionally made splash performs within the return recreation at A&M — a talent set that would turn out to be useful because the NFL transitions to a brand new kickoff format. One other candidate to shock is second-year nook Kelee Ringo. He began 4 video games as a rookie and flashed massive upside over the course of 199 defensive snaps.
New York Giants
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Greatest offseason addition
Exterior linebacker Brian Burns. His addition fully modifications the look of the Giants’ protection. They now have a Professional Bowl edge rusher reverse Kayvon Thibodeaux, who had 11.5 sacks in his second skilled season. Throw in Dexter Lawrence II in the midst of the road, linebacker Bobby Okereke in the midst of the protection and cornerback Deonte Banks, and that is the core that basic supervisor Joe Schoen is constructing round. “I do assume we’ve got items in place that I like which can be going to be collectively for a few years right here,” Schoen stated after the draft. That group is much more imposing with Burns, who has a 20.2% go rush win fee since coming into the league in 2019.
What’s left to do on the roster?
The massive query hanging over this roster is whether or not veteran tight finish Darren Waller goes to be part of it. The Giants are giving Waller time and area to determine if his dedication stage is there. That makes you assume they are going to have to search out out whether or not the additions of third-round choose Theo Johnson and offseason signings Chris Manhertz and Jack Stoll are sufficient when mixed with Daniel Bellinger and Tyree Jackson. Waller has stated he hopes to have a solution by the top of spring.
Assess the Giants’ QB scenario
It is nonetheless Daniel Jones’ present. The Giants have been adamant about Jones being the starter when he returns from a torn proper ACL. The 26-year-old quarterback advised ESPN final week that he was slicing on the leg and “doing every little thing” in the course of the workforce’s offseason exercise program. All indicators level to Jones being cleared for the beginning of coaching camp. So until newly signed Drew Lock or Tommy DeVito do one thing spectacular this spring, it is Jones’ job to lose. Given his work ethic, it is onerous to ascertain Jones not beginning Week 1. Whether or not he performs properly sufficient to maintain the job for the whole lot of this season and into the longer term is one other story.
Who would be the greatest shock?
Cornerback Nick McCloud. By no means heard of him? That is as a result of he hasn’t had an opportunity to be a constant starter in three skilled seasons. However with just one cornerback penciled in to the lineup for brand spanking new coordinator Shane Bowen, the chance is there for McCloud. He allowed 5.7 yards per goal final season as the closest defender, per NFL Subsequent Gen Stats. That was the bottom of any defensive again on the Giants, together with Banks.
Washington Commanders
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Greatest offseason addition
Basic supervisor Adam Peters. Clearly, Daniels may find yourself being the face of the franchise, however Washington has wanted a powerful GM for years. The group has wanted somebody who can construct a constant winner, and if his selections at head coach (Quinn) and draft picks repay, then Washington will lastly emerge from a protracted interval of poor seasons. Peters’ penchant for locating expertise past the primary spherical helped construct the 49ers. His drafts will probably be an enormous key to any success in Washington — and inconsistent drafts are, partially, why the group has struggled for therefore lengthy.
What’s left to do on the roster?
Decide the beginning left deal with and solidify the nook place. Third-round choose Brandon Coleman was thought of a guard or deal with by evaluators however will play left deal with for Washington. If he cannot deal with it, then veteran backup Cornelius Lucas must begin. Lucas is greatest as a short-term resolution. Second-round choose Mike Sainristil ought to begin as a slot nook, however questions stay exterior, together with whether or not final yr’s first-round choose Emmanuel Forbes could be a high quality starter.
Assess the Commanders’ QB scenario
Promising however unproven. Washington drafted Daniels as the most recent hope of their decades-long quest to search out stability at this place. Daniels’ dynamic potential ought to inject life into this offense — he produced in faculty along with his arm and leg — however he is additionally a rookie. Did the group lastly get it proper? It is onerous to think about him not being the Week 1 starter. Marcus Mariota is an skilled backup and can begin if obligatory. The Commanders signed him as a result of he matches properly in offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury’s system if he is pressed to begin.
Who would be the greatest shock?
There are a number of candidates within the secondary, together with nook Benjamin St-Juste, due to improved teaching. However let’s go together with second-round tight finish Ben Sinnott. He can scale back the load on veteran Zach Ertz within the go recreation, maybe catching round 30 to 35 passes. Kingsbury loves utilizing two-tight-end packages — Arizona ran the seventh-most two-tight-end units in his ultimate three seasons as its head coach. However Sinnott may also assist the run recreation as a blocker out of the backfield specifically; he will help Daniels on some zone learn carries as properly.