NFC EAST Preview: Who is the most important non-QB for each team?

Heading into the 2022 NFL season, the NFC East is not getting the respect it deserves.

For many prognosticators, the division is one of the weakest in the NFC and lacks firepower for a true Super Bowl run. I think that’s misguided. Three teams in the NFC East will vy for playoff spots near the end of the season, and two candidates will make it into the playoff tournament.

Which two teams? That’s hard to predict in June, but it’s fair to say that the Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles, and Washington Commanders could all make a playoff push if certain conditions favor them.

In today’s exercise, we will look at the NFC East from a different lens. Which players will have the most significant impact on their team’s fortunes this season, not named quarterback?

Let’s get it started and take a look at who will make an impact for each team this season.

Dallas Cowboys | Micah Parsons LB

Micah Parsons set the league on fire as a rookie last season, and it’ll be interesting to see how he performs in year two.  The 2021, 12th overall selection, was a consolation prize for the Dallas Cowboys as they were widely linked to defensive back Patrick Surtain in the pre-draft process. Lucky for them, they landed on the premier defender in the class, and a player who had no learning curve entering the league.

Parsons was a menace his first season, accumulating 13 sacks and 84 tackles as a hybrid-linebacker for the Cowboys. His performance earned him the Defensive Rookie of the Year award, as well as being named first team All-Pro.

If the Cowboys are to be successful this season, Parsons needs to maintain this course of being a difference-maker. Dallas has lost some firepower on offense with the loss of Amari Cooper and Cedrick Wilson. Ezekiel Elliott has struggled to dominate, and Michael Gallup is recovering from a torn ACL. All of these factors lead to a possible regression of offense, and the need for a more balanced team.

Therefore, Parsons needs to elevate the defense and provide the Cowboys some game-changing plays to keep them competitive. In one season, Dallas’ defense jumped from 28th in points allowed in 2020, to 7th overall in 2021, largely due to Parsons’ presence. An encore performance is needed if Dallas wants to be a serious contender this season.

Philadelphia Eagles | AJ Brown WR

It has become an annual tradition for the Eagles to acquire a wide receiver in the first round of the draft, but this season, the team decided to eliminate all risk and add a proven commodity. Philadelphia shook up the NFL Draft this offseason, when they traded the 18th overall selection and pick 101 to the Tennessee Titans for wide receiver AJ Brown.

The former Titan brings a pretty accomplished resume’ to the city of brotherly-love, as he as compiled 2,995 yards and 24 touchdowns over his first three seasons. Brown proved to be a hulking presence while in Nashville, scoring tough touchdowns and providing rugged blocking in a run-first offense featuring Derrick Henry.

As Brown comes to Philadelphia, he is asked to be a steady WR1 for his friend Jalen Hurts, who has been hit-or-miss as a passer at the pro level. It will be interesting to see if Brown can deliver.

When healthy, Brown offers around five catches per game, and an average of 69.7 yards receiving per contest. He also averages a touchdown in about 55% of his games. But he does have the propensity to miss time and has missed six games over the last two seasons.

If the Eagles want to take that next step, and by all of their offseasons actions it’s clear that they do, Brown has to prove that he is worthy of his four-year, 100 million dollar contract that guaranteed him 57 million at signing.

It would be a major disappointment if he doesn’t deliver, and Hurts’ future outlook as a starter may depend on it. Brown needs to have over 1,000 yards receiving and 7+ touchdowns next season. If not, it would be viewed as a disappointment.

Around Full Press Coverage

NFL OPINION: The Brutal End?: Raiders Close 2022 With Grueling Schedule

NFL NEWS: NFL Opinion: Watson Enablers Flushed Credibility Early In Process

NFL: Have the Green Bay Packers Assembled a Super Bowl Defense?

FANTASY FOOTBALL: Fantasy Football: Rookie Running Back Rankings Post-NFL Draft

NHL: Auston Matthews to The Desert Doesn’t Seem Plausible

PODCAST: Full Press NFL Podcast Ep 42: Deebo Samuel Requests Trade; Possible Landing Spots

New York Giants | Kayvon Thibodeaux EDGE

I was tempted to go Saquon Barkley here, but I don’t see the ball-carrier in the long term plans for the G-MEN. In fact, the Giants are in a total rebuild and their front-office is taking the long approach.

With two top-ten selections, the Giants decided to build their team from the inside-out and selected Edge Kayvon Thibodeaux and OT Evan Neal to solidify both sides of their line. Both selections will be instrumental to the Giants success, especially Thibodeaux who can truly become a game-changer at the next level.

The Giants won two Super Bowls in the modern era off the backs of their defensive line, so they know the importance of generating pressure. At 6’4 and 254 lbs, Thibodeaux looks the part and is a prototype of what you look for in an edge rusher. Size, speed, power, he has it all. His only concern is his commitment to the game.

Many draft analysts questioned Thibodeaux’s ceiling due to his off-field interests. Having a business mindset, the former Oregon Duck has eyes on a variety of ventures, including cryptocurrency and other start-up companies. Will this affect his gameplay? Will he be 100% devoted to the game? These questions linger for New York, and they are heavily invested with their 5th overall pick.

Thibodeaux needs to deliver this season, and moving forward. If not, the Giants should have invested in their pick elsewhere.

Washington Commanders | Chase Young

Speaking of high-end picks, the Washington Commanders invested the 2nd overall selection on Chase Young in 2020. He delivered as an impactful edge rusher, and won the Defensive Rookie of the Year award in his first season.

However, his sophomore season was a nightmare, and never got on the right foot. During the offseason, Young elected to train on his own, and away from the team, causing some frustration with Coach Ron Rivera.

On the field, his production didn’t match his name. In 2021, he played in eight games and generated only four QB hits and 1.5 sacks. On top of that, he tore his ACL in week nine and was out for the rest of the season.

Year three proves to be a crossroad for Young as he approaches an important turning point in his career. Is he the generational pass-rusher that many claimed he was heading into the 2020 draft? Cut of the same cloth as Nick and Joey Bosa? Or is he simply an underachieving star selected too high and a large disappointment?

If Washington wants to be a team of consequence this year, Young needs to prove he is one of the league’s premier pass-rushers–a player worthy of being selected number two overall. If he can prove lethal off the edge, he may be the catalyst that will elevate Montez Sweat, Jon Allen, and Daron Payne to new levels. All four of these prospects are former first round selections, but have been dormant.

The Commanders need a return on investment, and it begins with Young.