The gap is closing in the NFC East. For the first time in over 20 years, the division has enjoyed back-to-back champions, with the Philadelphia Eagles defending their 2024 crowns. But the season didn’t end the way Philadelphia wanted to on this occassion, losing 5 of their final 8 contests including a home loss in the wild-card round to the San Francisco 49ers.
Entering the offseason, the Eagles were faced with the possibility that they were going to lose a lot of talent in free agency, and that’s been the case. Meanwhile, while they’ve seen talent walk out the door, the other NFC East teams have welcomed some in the door, including the Dallas Cowboys.
The Cowboys, along with the New York Giants and Washington Commanders, were all rated as being better now then they were at the beginning of free agency, with the Eagles were seen as getting worse, according to FOX Sports.
Dallas Cowboys free agency evaluation
The Cowboys’ defense still needs a lot of work, but adding Rashan Gary in a trade with Green Bay is a step in the right direction for a unit that had an abysmal pass rush last season. The former first-round pick has 24 sacks in the past three seasons.
While Cowboys fans were hoping for more activity out of the team, they didn’t suffer any major defections, aside from trading Osa Odighizuwa who may not have exactly fit the plans of new defensive coordinator Christian Parker. But they retained WR George Pickens, RB Javonte Williams, K Brandon Aubrey, and brought in Gary and secondary players Jalen Thompson, PJ Locke and Cobie Durant, all who will likely start the year in the lineup. Their losses were to backups (WR Jalen Tolbert, DT Solomon Thomas, LB Logan Wilson) or bad starters (Donovan Wilson).
New York Giants free agency evaluation
Advanced numbers from last season place Cor’Dale Flott ahead of Greg Newsome, so maybe the Giants took a step back at cornerback. But the offense around second-year quarterback Jaxson Dart has gotten better with additions like tight end Isaiah Likely and All-Pro fullback Patrick Ricard, who followed John Harbaugh to New York. Calvin Austin replaces Wan’Dale Robinson as the slot receiver.
The Giants are the only division team with a new coach, replacing Brian Daboll with John Harbaugh. That in and of itself makes them a better team, but they upgraded the talent in the locker room as well. New York focused on the primary support options for their young QB, significantly raising the floor of their offense.
Philadelphia Eagles free agency evaluation
Eagles general manager Howie Roseman is a wizard when it comes to roster building, and Philly is certainly playing the compensatory pick game (it’s currently slated to receive three comp picks for next year, according to Over The Cap). But the defense is worse off for the time being, having lost three starters in Jaelan Phillips, Nakobe Dean and Reed Blankenship.
The Eagles weren’t complacent, adding key names in Riq Woolen and Hollywood Brown, but their losses were significant and they haven’t been correlated with new players from the outside.
Washington Commanders free agency evaluation
The Commanders, who ranked last in yards allowed and 26th in points allowed last season, have given their defense a major facelift through free agency, adding several starters.
The Commanders had a lot of free agency money to spend and took advantage of the opportunity. Just a year removed from an NFC Championship appearance, they loaded up with some of the top-ranked edge defenders (K’Laivon Chaisson, Odafe Oweh), a crafty LB signing in Leo Chenal, and secondary improvements in safety Nick Cross and corner Amik Robertson. Their losses were minimal, headlined by reduction by choice in releasing center Tyler Biadasz.
This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Cowboys improved in FA with Gary trade, Thompson signing, Eagles worse
About the Author
