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We’re in the “legal tampering” period of free agency, which sounds like something that Michael Cohen plead guilty to, and already the league has been buzzing with activity. Let’s recap what’s been going on and will go on around the NFC East.
Dallas Cowboys
How much cap space do they have?
$19.4 million. 22 teams have more.
What are their top needs?
Pass rusher, cornerback, pass rusher, tight end, and pass rusher.
Did they let their Super Bowl MVP QB leave for the good of the team?
They don’t have a Super Bowl MVP.
Did they re-sign one of their best players?
DeMarcus Lawrence is back on his second straight franchise tag.
Did they sign a retired guy?
Jason Witten, the worst analyst in Monday Night Football history (and yes, I remember the Dennis Miller era), is out of the booth and back with the Cowboys.
Did they trade an edge rusher?
The Cowboys don’t have any edge rushers to trade since Randy Gregory got suspended, David Irving got suspended then retired, and they have no trade leverage with DeMarcus Lawrence’s contract.
Philadelphia Eagles
How much cap space do they have?
$23.7 million, most in the NFC East.
What are their top needs?
Wide receiver, running back, defensive line.
Did they let their Super Bowl MVP QB leave for the good of the team?
Yes. Unable to find a trade market for Nick Foles, they let him walk in free agency rather than tag him and tie up a huge amount of cap space until a trade can be worked out, if at all.
Did they re-sign one of their best players?
Yes, Brandon Graham is back on a multi-year deal.
Did they sign a retired guy?
They did not.
Did they trade an edge rusher?
They traded Michael Bennett, who they got for basically a 5th round pick, for basically a 5th round pick.
Washington Redskins
How much cap space do they have?
$16.3 million, least in the NFC East.
What are their top needs?
Ownership and management.
Did they let their Super Bowl MVP QB leave for the good of the team?
They don’t have a Super Bowl MVP.
Did they re-sign one of their best players?
The Redskins sign other team’s free agents, not their own.
Did they sign a retired guy?
Not yet but never count out Bruce Allen.
Did they trade an edge rusher?
They did not.
New York Giants
How much cap space do they have?
$23.3 million.
What are their top needs?
Anyone who can play defense. I’m not even being sarcastic here, the Giants are going to hit the new league year with one of the least talented defenses.
Did they let their Super Bowl MVP QB leave for the good of the team?
No, they still think Eli Manning is good despite years of evidence that he isn’t.
Did they re-sign one of their best players?
Landon Collins cleaned out his locker.
Did they sign a retired guy?
Dave Gettleman signed Jonathan Stewart last year so maybe this year he’ll sign another broken down ex-Panther who is essentially retired.
Did they trade an edge rusher?
The Giants had one guy who could get to the QB, Olivier Vernon. They traded him for a guard because he no longer fits their scheme, which presumably does not involve attempting to sack the quarterback.