NFC East Free Agency Preview

The NFL’s “glamour” division hasn’t exactly lived up to it’s nickname the last few years. While the NFC East did send two teams to the playoffs last season, both the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles bowed out in the WIld Card round. A season prior, the 7-9 NFC East champion Washington Football Team was the division’s lone postseason representative, and also lost in the Wild Card round. The division hasn’t had a member win a playoff game since 2018, when the Cowboys and Eagles each won their respective WIld Card matchups before losing in the divisional round.

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Needless to say, the NFC East has been a non-competitive wasteland recently. But the offseason is always fertile ground for roots of optimism to germinate. The Cowboys, Eagles, New York Giants, and the newly christened Washington Commanders all have reason to believe that 2022 will yield positive results. Such results won’t come for any of those teams, however, if they first don’t execute a fruitful offseason. Of course, the first and riskiest part of the offseason is unrestricted free agency, which is set to kick off on Wednesday, March 16th.

None of the NFC East’s four teams figure to be major spenders in free agency, but each of them face critical decisions that will help determine their respective fates next season. So, to preview free agency for the NFC East, let’s go through the division’s four teams to see which players they might lose, which they might sign, and what their top priorities should be.

All financial information is courtesy of Spotrac. Estimated cap space is based on the current contracts of the top 51 rostered players. 

Dallas Cowboys

Estimated Cap Space: $-8,998,140

As you can tell, the Cowboys have some trimming to do just to become cap compliant, let alone have enough space to sign players. The big rumour, as first reported by Adam Schefter, is that Dallas is likely to cut star receiver Amari Cooper, which would save them $16 million in cap space. According to Ian Rapoport, they’re considering trading right tackle La’el Collins, who’s set to count for $15.25 million against the cap. They’ve also reportedly asked defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence, scheduled for a $27 million cap hit, to take a pay cut. Even if Dallas makes these moves, they won’t exactly be swimming in cap space.

Notable Free Agents: S Keanu Neal, ILB Leighton Vander Esch, WR Cedrick Wilson, DE Brent Urban, RT Ty Nsekhe, DE Carlos Watkins, OG Connor Williams, WR Michael Gallup, EDGE Randy Gregory, S Malik Hooker

The free agents Dallas should be especially motivated to keep are Gallup and Wilson, especially if Cooper becomes a cap casualty. Much of the Cowboys’ potency last season came from their deep stable of pass-catching threats. They’ve already franchise-tagged tight end Dalton Schultz, and 2020 first-round pick CeeDee Lamb is an ascending star, but re-signing Gallup and Wilson will be important in maintaining their offensive identity. Gregory, Vander Esch, and Williams were all starters for Dallas, but they may be too pricey to bring back.

Potential Adds: EDGE Mario Addison, S Duron Harmon, OG Ted Karras

As should be the case with a capped-out team, the Cowboys have a solid overall roster without glaring holes. Addison and Karras would be decent, afforadable replacements if Gregory and Williams walk out the door. Harmon would provide some veteran depth to a pretty thin safety room.

Free-Agency Objective

Make prudent cuts and restructures to get clear sufficient space under the cap. Sign mid to low-level free agents to fill in the cracks of an already very good roster.

Philadelphia Eagles

Estimated Cap Space: $20,861,126

Unlike Dallas, the Eagles are in a pretty healthy cap situation. With a quarterback on a rookie contract and only four players set to have double-digit cap hits next season, Philadelphia is in a position to splurge a little if they so choose.

Notable Free Agents: S Rodney McLeod, S Anthony Harris, EDGE Derek Barnett, CB Steven Nelson, EDGE Ryan Kerrigan, RB Boston Scott, LB Alex Singleton, WR Greg Ward

None of the Eagles’ pending free agents are cornerstones that they must re-sign. They may try to bring back Barnett at a reasonable price, given he was their first-round pick back in 2017. He only had two sacks last year, however, so he’s certainly replaceable. McLeod, Harris, Nelson, and Singleton were all starters for Philadelphia last season. Expect at least a couple of them to be brought back to avoid too much turnover.

Potential Adds: S Marcus Williams, CB J.C. Jackson, LB Leighton Vander Esch

Philadelphia’s biggest roster weakness lies in their defensive secondary, where cornerback Darius Slay is their only high-end player. If they want to drastically improve their coverage unit, players like Williams or Jackson would fit the bill. The Eagles also need help at linebacker, though they’ve been loath to invest too heavily at that position. A mid-level guy like Vander Esch would be up their alley.

Free-Agency Objective

Sign at least one big-name free agent to show confidence in a team that surprisingly made the playoffs last year.

Washington Commanders

Estimated Cap Space: $6,614,688

Washington had quite a bit more money to work with before dealing for quarterback Carson Wentz and absorbing his entire $28,294,119 cap hit. The expected release of safety Landon Collins clears some more space, so they’ll have enough room to maneuver. Wentz will certainly be their most consequential offseason addition, but they’ll want to improve as much as they can to hit the ground running with a new name and a new quarterback.

Notable Free Agents: OG Brandon Scherff, S Landon Collins, QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, LB Jon Bostic, WR Cam Sims, OT Cornelius Lucas, RB J.D. McKissic, WR Adam Humphries

Scherff has been one of the NFL’s best guards for seven seasons, but he’ll likely be out of the Commanders price range, especially after committing so much money to Wentz. Collins is the only other starter headed out the door. Sims and McKissic have made plays for this offense the last couple years in reserve roles. They may be brought back on cheap deals.

Potential Adds: LB Dont’a Hightower, OG Mark Glowinski, S Justin Reid

Washington has been lacking at linebacker for seemingly forever. A proven veteran like Hightower would appeal to coach Ron Rivera as a stabilizing presence and mentor to Jamin Davis. Glowinski and Reid are lower-cost options to replace Scherff and Collins.

Free Agency Objective

Bolster the back-middle of the defense (linebackers, safeties) with solid mid-level signings, and hope last year’s free-agency class of WR Curtis Samuel and CB William Jackson make a bigger impact.

New York Giants

Estimated Cap Space: $6,430,012

The Giants figure to be relatively quiet this free agency after their spending spree last year. They’ve already cut TE Kyle Rudolph and RB DeVontae Booker to create some cap relief, and have reportedly agreed on a restructured contract with WR Sterling Shepard. New general manager Joe Schoen will have to work out a few more cuts, restructures, or trades to clear out the requisite space to fill the holes on this roster.

Notable Free Agents: OT Nate Solder, TE Kyle Rudolph, DT Austin Johnson, C Billy Price, P Riley Dixon, RB DeVontae Booker, TE Evan Engram, S Jabrill Peppers, OG Will Hernandez, EDGE Lorenzo Carter

Of the Giants’ pending free agents, Carter is the likeliest to return on an inexpensive contract. Peppers’ last season ended in October with a ruptured ACL, so he may be amenable to a short-term “prove-it” deal. Johnson is another useful player the Giants would probably like to have back if possible. Engram should be able to command more money on the open market than the Giants are willing to pay.

Potential Adds: OT Morgan Moses, OG Jon Feliciano, OG Connor Williams

Other than left tackle Andrew Thomas, New York’s offensive line last season was an injured, incompetent mess. The Giants need to come out of this free-agency period with a few new lineman capable of starting. Moses is an intriguing mid-level option if they don’t want to address tackle in the draft. Feliciano is a solid veteran who was just released by the Buffalo Bills, so he has a history with the Giants’ new coach Brian Daboll. Williams is another inexpensive interior lineman with plenty of starting experience.

Free Agency Objective

Add enough workable pieces along the offensive line to avoid relying on the draft to acquire multiple starters.

– Ryan Cuneo is the Managing Editor of Full Press Giants. He covers the New York Giants. Like and follow on Follow @ryan_cuneo Follow @FullPressGiants and Facebook.