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Let’s talk NFC East…
With a good chunk of free agency complete and draft behind us… Who do you see emerging as the winner?
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Week 1 opens with Dallas visiting defending NFL champion Tampa Bay on September 9. The week ends with Las Vegas hosting Baltimore in the Monday Night Football fight. Regular season action concludes with Seattle visiting Arizona on Jan. 9, 2022. Wild Card Weekend, Divisional Round playoffs, and Conference Championship Sunday follow. The season ends with Super Bowl LVI on Feb. 13, 2022, at SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, Cali.
NFC East Division Futures Odds
Following a sub-par 2020 season, by all four teams, which squad will claim the 2021 NFC East Division championship? Washington was first, with a 7–9 record, but will The Football team repeat? Plagued by injuries last year, will Dallas or New York rebound from 6–9 records? Rounding out the weakest division, in the NFL last season, will Philadelphia get back into contention after finishing last overall with a 4-11-1 mark?
Those are a few questions to consider prior to wagering on the NFC East champion and team win total odds. With Offseason Team Activities underway, and preseason games still to come, the futures odds and prices shown below are subject to change. That said unless there’s an earth-shaking trade (or injury) the lines won’t move much prior to NFL 2021-22 Kickoff Thursday. The most notable moves will likely be the prices.
For just the third time, in Super Bowl era history, a team “earned” a playoff berth with a losing record. The first time it happened has an asterisk attached to it as Detroit and Cleveland made the playoffs with 4–5 records during the strike-shortened 1982 season. Washington matched Seattle, who won the NFC West Division title with a 7–9 record back in 2010. The Football Team snapped a four-year playoff drought but was quickly eliminated after a 31–23 loss to Tampa Bay in the NFC Wild Card round. It’s wise to wonder how far the WFT will get with 38-year starting QB Ryan Fitzpatrick.
New York and Dallas both suffered a big blow when they lost star players early in the season last year. Giants’ RB Saquon Barkley tore his ACL in Week 2 and Cowboys’ QB Dak Prescott suffered a season-ending ankle injury in Week 5. While both players are expected to return, at full health, Prescott is arguably the more important player for the respective teams. The Carson Wentz experience is over in Philadelphia and second-year QB Jalen Hurts will lead the Eagles' offense this season. Betting on Prescott staying healthy, and their defense improving, I am backing Dallas to win the NFC East title.
NFC East Champion Prediction: Dallas Cowboys (+125) moneyline
Dallas Cowboys – NFC East Win Total Futures
After posting their worst record, since they went 4–12 back in 2015, Dallas (6–10) is aiming to avoid back-to-back losing seasons. The Cowboys have not recorded two straight sub-.500 seasons since they went 5–12 over three years from 2000 to 2002.
Dallas is hoping RB Ezekiel Elliott returns to form. Elliott averaged 107.4 total yards, with six touchdowns, over five games with Prescott under center. He averaged 78.0 total yards, and scored just twice, over 10 games without him. The entire offense gets a boost with Prescott’s return. I am betting on Dallas winning at least 10 games this season.
Key Players Resigned: QB Dak Prescott, CB Jourdan Lewis, ST/DB CJ Goodwin
Key Additions: DL Brent Urban, OT Ty Nsekhe, EDGE Tarell Basham
Key Departures: QB Andy Dalton, CB Chidobe Awuzie, LS L.P. Ladouceur
Key 2021 Draft Picks: LB Micah Parsons, CB Kelvin Joseph, DT Osa Odighizuwa
Dallas Cowboys Win Total Prediction: OVER 9.5 (+107) wins
Washington Football Team – NFC East Win Total Futures
Following a 2–7 start, Washington won five of their final seven games to claim the NFC East title with a 7–9 record. Including a gutsy start by QB Taylor Heinicke, during the NFC Wild Card playoffs, four different quarterbacks started at least one game for the Football Team last season. A revolving door, at the QB position, is never a good thing.
Following two seasons in Miami, 15-year NFL veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick signed with the WFT. Fitzmagic is projected to start ahead of Heinicke and Kyle Allen. Leaning towards OVER, but not liking the juice, a 9–8 record seems about right for the WFT.
Key Players Resigned: OG Brandon Scherff (franchise tag), QB Kyle Allen
Key Additions: QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, WR Curtis Samuel, WR Adam Humphries
Key Departures: QB Alex Smith, DE Ryan Kerrigan
Key 2021 Draft Picks: LB Jamin Davis, OT Samuel Cosmi, WR Dyami Brown
Washington Football Team Win Total Prediction: PASS (OVER lean)
New York Giants – NFC East Win Total Futures
Making a late run at the division title that no team seemingly wanted to win, New York (6–10) was one victory short of claiming the NFC East championship last year. One has to wonder if the season would have turned out differently had Barkley not been hurt.
New York finished second last, behind only the New York Jets (279.9 / 15.2), with just 299.6 total yards and 17.5 points per game on offense. The loss of Barkley, plus injuries of his own, stunted the growth of sophomore QB Daniel Jones. New York was active during the offseason, especially on offense, and I am betting OVER on their win total.
Key Players Resigned: DE Leonard Williams, OT Nate Solder, NT Austin Johnson
Key Additions: WR Kenny Golladay, WR John Ross III, RB Devontae Booker, CB Adoree’ Jackson, TE Kyle Rudolph
Key Departures: RB Wayne Gallman, QB Colt McCoy, WR Golden Taint
Key 2021 Draft Picks: WR Kadarius Toney, LB Adze Ojulari, CB Aaron Robinson
New York Giants Win Total Prediction: OVER 7.0 (-130) wins
Philadelphia Eagles – NFC East Win Total Futures
Three years after upsetting New England, 41–33 during Super Bowl LII, Philadelphia (4–12) posted their worst record since 2021. Few things worked well for the Eagles, as they managed just 20.9 points per game on offense and allowed 26.1 ppg on defense.
Not helping their cause, Philadelphia ranked 29th overall with a -10 turnover ratio as they had 29 giveaways and just 19 takeaways. QB Carson Wentz was benched during Week 13 action and rookie Jalen Hurts took over as the starter. The Eagles are in a rebuilding stage, and another rough season is on the horizon in 2021.
Key Players Resigned: C Jason Kelce, LB Alex Singleton, DE Brandon Graham,
Key Additions: DE Ryan Kerrigan, RB Kerryon Johnson, S Anthony Harris
Key Departures: WR Alshon Jeffery, WR DeSean Jackson, S Jalen Mills
Key 2021 Draft Picks: WR DeVonta Smith, C Landon Dickerson, CB Zech McPhearson
Philadelphia Eagles Win Total Prediction: UNDER 6.5 (+127) wins
www.turfshowtimes.com
Articles like this one are intended to describe those waters because no team sails to the Super Bowl without surviving the sea first.
Los Angeles faced all four NFC East teams in 2020, but there is only one on the schedule next season: a morning road game against the New York Giants on October 17th. Last season, the Rams went 4-0 against the NFC East, including a 17-9 victory against the Giants. But New York, and all of these teams, will look significantly different whenever it is that they next face LA.
At least one of them will make the postseason. Given the fact that little effort was put into reshuffling the deck at quarterback though, it’s hard to imagine which of these teams would be able to win a wild card spot in the NFC. And how.
There’s plenty of defensive talent, but other than the guy whose foot was pointing to Albuquerque the last time we saw him, the quarterback situation doesn’t look any less dire than it did with Carson Wentz and Alex Smith. These are some updates on the four teams in the NFC East.
NFC East
Washington Football Team - Taylor Heinicke challenging Ryan Fitzpatrick?
"My biggest impression [from minicamp] is that Taylor Heinicke might not be the one-hit wonder we all thought he was... Fitzpatrick is still the starter as of now, but the guy can play, and it's not just because Tampa Bay had no idea who he was" - @PeteHaileyNBCS
— WASHINGTON FOOTBALL (@HogsHaven) June 11, 2021
I have a hard time believing that Fitzpatrick is getting another chance to start. Teams that have said “Yes” and then “No” to Fitzpatrick as a starter include the Rams, Bengals, Bills, Titans, Texans, Jets, Bucs, and Dolphins. Most quarterbacks never get to hear “No” twice. Fitzpatrick has already operated as Washington’s starter since he signed in March, so make Football Team the ninth team to give him a chance.
Nine.
Most interesting veteran addition: WR Curtis Samuel
Most interesting draft pick: LB Jamin Davis
Head coach Ron Rivera worked with Samuel in Carolina, and Davis is the exact type of pick that we had come to expect from the Panthers. He might have been the best linebacker in the draft and Washington could have the best front-seven in the NFL. How many “could haves” has Fitzpatrick turned into “won’t bes” over his career? Because he’s yet to make the playoffs in any of his many dozens of campaigns.
Dallas Cowboys - Dak Prescott not yet returned to action
Prescott has made it back to the field after suffering a broken ankle in Week 5 of last season, but he’s been held out of 11-of-11 drills at OTAs.
The most important joint of Dallas’ entire year is the ankle that Dak Prescott had so badly injured early last season. We saw nothing but glowing reports from the staff about his recovery, but we’ve been led down that primrose path before.
It was all non-contact, and Prescott was held out of any 11-on-11 work as an added precaution, but he certainly looked like he was completely ready to go.
It’s hard to ignore what the Cowboys are set to have offensively: Prescott, Ezekiel Elliott, Tyron Smith, Zack Martin, Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup, CeeDee Lamb.
Around those guys, center Tyler Biadasz, right tackle La’El Collins, left guard Connor Williams at least have some draft pedigree and experience and this could be a good offensive line again in front of Prescott and Elliott.
Most interesting veteran addition: LB/Rover Keanu Neal
Most interesting draft pick: LB Micah Parsons
Dallas’s first six draft picks were: LB, CB, DT, DE, CB, LB
The linebackers unit now includes Jaylon Smith, Leighton Vander Esch, Parsons, Neal, and Jabril Cox. How does that shake out? Some might say that Cox is “more interesting” than Parson, but I won’t do that to the difference between the third defensive player drafted and a fourth round pick. Cox was available for reasons, we’ll see how things shake out.
New York Giants - No timetable on Saquon Barkley’s return from torn ACL
Barkley tore his ACL and did damage to his MCL and meniscus in Week 2 of last season and it’s not yet known when he will return, even as he approaches the 10-month mark since the injury. In 2019, Barkley had 217 carries for 1,003 yards and 52 catches for 438 yards over 13 games. Barkley led the NFL in yards from scrimmage as a rookie, with 2,028, and he added 15 touchdowns.
In theory, the Giants could have a good offense, but that entirely depends on a myriad of unknowns:
Will Daniel Jones ever be good, with or without a good supporting cast?
First round pick Kadarius Toney is a rookie
Kenny Golladay is a first-time Giant and missed 11 games last season
Andrew Thomas, selected ahead of Jedrick Wills, Mekhi Becton, and Tristan Wirfs, has so far been the worst first round tackle of 2020
Kyle Rudolph is in a similar position to Golladay
Will Barkley recover and stay healthy?
Will Sterling Shepard recover from an underwhelming second season?
Is Jason Garrett the right offensive coordinator?
Lots of potential, also a lot of questions.
Most interesting free agent addition: Golladay
Most interesting draft pick: OLB Azeez Ojulari
I’m a fan of Toney, but his start thus far has been described as “clunky” and he’s not likely to beat out Golladay and Slayton for one of the top-two receiver jobs. In fact, he might also not beat Sterling Shepard.
People were surprised to see Ojulari available at pick 50, but most importantly, he has an opportunity to get on the field immediately as a pass rusher. The Rams are among the teams who are well aware of how good New York’s defense was last season, but other than Leonard Williams, nobody on the defense had more than four sacks. Toney could become the team’s best receiver eventually, but Ojulari could be the team’s best edge immediately.
Philadelphia Eagles - Jalen Hurts, Joe Flacco are Eagles only two quarterbacks
“He’s just as smooth as they come."
The #Eagles only have two QBs on their roster entering training camp. One of them is a former Super Bowl MVP with 14 years of experience.
QBs coach Brian Johnson on what Joe Flacco has brought to the position room:https://t.co/SGdz8gtmXC
— Mike Kaye (@mike_e_kaye) June 10, 2021
There is not much separating us from an NFC East that features Dak Prescott, Mike Glennon, Joe Flacco, and Kyle Allen. Or Dak, Jones, Jalen Hurts, and Taylor Heinicke. I mean, other than Dak Prescott, what exactly are we doing here?
Assuming that Hurts wins the starting job, he’ll be throwing to DeVonta Smith, Jalen Reagor, Travis Fulgham, Greg Ward, and JJ Arcega-Whiteside. Maybe. He’ll have Zach Ertz and Dallas Goedert too, while the offensive line might actually be among the best in the NFL.
Over the last three seasons, Flacco has started nine games for the Ravens and then got benched for Lamar Jackson; started eight games for the Denver Broncos and made way for Drew Lock; started four games for the Jets, who’ve moved onto Zach Wilson. Now he’s almost certain, I think, to start some games for Philadelphia.
As a rookie, Hurts made four starts and the Eagles went 1-3: 52% completions, 6 touchdowns, 4 interceptions, 7.2 Y/A, 77.6 rating, 41 QBR, 63 carries for 354 yards, nine fumbles.
What exactly are we doing here?
Most interesting free agent addition: S Anthony Harris
Most interesting draft pick: WR DeVonta Smith
I’ll also bring up center Landon Dickerson — because I know that one stings for some of you — but Dickerson is still recovering from a torn ACL. If the Rams had picked him, a team often criticized for draft players when picking players who have an injury history, that’s also where he’d be at right now: recovering.
The Eagles have the luxury to not play Dickerson all year, but Smith should immediately become Hurts’ safety blanket. Reagor was disappointing as a rookie and that was compounded by the success of his wide receiver peers. When Hurts was playing, Reagor caught only 12 of 21 targets for 174 yards. Smith was drafted as high as he was because he should be “NFL ready” and capable of creating yards and separation on his own.
Harris really stayed under the radar and I didn’t remember that he had signed with the Eagles, even though he was one of my favorite pending free agents of 2020. The Vikings gave him the franchise tag then, but all he got in free agency this year was a one-season pact for $4 million. Harris had six interceptions in 2019, but zero in 2020.
The Eagles have some all-pro talent but they also have some potential holes on the roster that look no different than the weakest links that caused them to go 4-11-1 last season.
With a good chunk of free agency complete and draft behind us… Who do you see emerging as the winner?
2021 NFC East Team Futures - Division Winner and Win Totals Outlook
SI Gambling analyst Roy Larking breaks down the odds for the NFC East Division champion, as well as each team's win total projections.
www.si.com
2021 NFC East Team Futures - Division Winner and Win Totals Outlook
As the most popular pro sport in America, the NFL is relevant 365 days a year. For the first time since 1978, when the slate went from 14 to 16 games, the NFL lengthened the regular season again this year. The 2021 NFL schedule was released on May 12 and all 32 teams will play 17 games over the 18-week season. That means NFL fans get an extra week of NFL betting and fantasy football action. It will also affect win total wagering.Week 1 opens with Dallas visiting defending NFL champion Tampa Bay on September 9. The week ends with Las Vegas hosting Baltimore in the Monday Night Football fight. Regular season action concludes with Seattle visiting Arizona on Jan. 9, 2022. Wild Card Weekend, Divisional Round playoffs, and Conference Championship Sunday follow. The season ends with Super Bowl LVI on Feb. 13, 2022, at SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, Cali.
NFC East Division Futures Odds
Following a sub-par 2020 season, by all four teams, which squad will claim the 2021 NFC East Division championship? Washington was first, with a 7–9 record, but will The Football team repeat? Plagued by injuries last year, will Dallas or New York rebound from 6–9 records? Rounding out the weakest division, in the NFL last season, will Philadelphia get back into contention after finishing last overall with a 4-11-1 mark?
Those are a few questions to consider prior to wagering on the NFC East champion and team win total odds. With Offseason Team Activities underway, and preseason games still to come, the futures odds and prices shown below are subject to change. That said unless there’s an earth-shaking trade (or injury) the lines won’t move much prior to NFL 2021-22 Kickoff Thursday. The most notable moves will likely be the prices.
For just the third time, in Super Bowl era history, a team “earned” a playoff berth with a losing record. The first time it happened has an asterisk attached to it as Detroit and Cleveland made the playoffs with 4–5 records during the strike-shortened 1982 season. Washington matched Seattle, who won the NFC West Division title with a 7–9 record back in 2010. The Football Team snapped a four-year playoff drought but was quickly eliminated after a 31–23 loss to Tampa Bay in the NFC Wild Card round. It’s wise to wonder how far the WFT will get with 38-year starting QB Ryan Fitzpatrick.
New York and Dallas both suffered a big blow when they lost star players early in the season last year. Giants’ RB Saquon Barkley tore his ACL in Week 2 and Cowboys’ QB Dak Prescott suffered a season-ending ankle injury in Week 5. While both players are expected to return, at full health, Prescott is arguably the more important player for the respective teams. The Carson Wentz experience is over in Philadelphia and second-year QB Jalen Hurts will lead the Eagles' offense this season. Betting on Prescott staying healthy, and their defense improving, I am backing Dallas to win the NFC East title.
NFC East Champion Prediction: Dallas Cowboys (+125) moneyline
Dallas Cowboys – NFC East Win Total Futures
After posting their worst record, since they went 4–12 back in 2015, Dallas (6–10) is aiming to avoid back-to-back losing seasons. The Cowboys have not recorded two straight sub-.500 seasons since they went 5–12 over three years from 2000 to 2002.
Dallas is hoping RB Ezekiel Elliott returns to form. Elliott averaged 107.4 total yards, with six touchdowns, over five games with Prescott under center. He averaged 78.0 total yards, and scored just twice, over 10 games without him. The entire offense gets a boost with Prescott’s return. I am betting on Dallas winning at least 10 games this season.
Key Players Resigned: QB Dak Prescott, CB Jourdan Lewis, ST/DB CJ Goodwin
Key Additions: DL Brent Urban, OT Ty Nsekhe, EDGE Tarell Basham
Key Departures: QB Andy Dalton, CB Chidobe Awuzie, LS L.P. Ladouceur
Key 2021 Draft Picks: LB Micah Parsons, CB Kelvin Joseph, DT Osa Odighizuwa
Dallas Cowboys Win Total Prediction: OVER 9.5 (+107) wins
Washington Football Team – NFC East Win Total Futures
Following a 2–7 start, Washington won five of their final seven games to claim the NFC East title with a 7–9 record. Including a gutsy start by QB Taylor Heinicke, during the NFC Wild Card playoffs, four different quarterbacks started at least one game for the Football Team last season. A revolving door, at the QB position, is never a good thing.
Following two seasons in Miami, 15-year NFL veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick signed with the WFT. Fitzmagic is projected to start ahead of Heinicke and Kyle Allen. Leaning towards OVER, but not liking the juice, a 9–8 record seems about right for the WFT.
Key Players Resigned: OG Brandon Scherff (franchise tag), QB Kyle Allen
Key Additions: QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, WR Curtis Samuel, WR Adam Humphries
Key Departures: QB Alex Smith, DE Ryan Kerrigan
Key 2021 Draft Picks: LB Jamin Davis, OT Samuel Cosmi, WR Dyami Brown
Washington Football Team Win Total Prediction: PASS (OVER lean)
New York Giants – NFC East Win Total Futures
Making a late run at the division title that no team seemingly wanted to win, New York (6–10) was one victory short of claiming the NFC East championship last year. One has to wonder if the season would have turned out differently had Barkley not been hurt.
New York finished second last, behind only the New York Jets (279.9 / 15.2), with just 299.6 total yards and 17.5 points per game on offense. The loss of Barkley, plus injuries of his own, stunted the growth of sophomore QB Daniel Jones. New York was active during the offseason, especially on offense, and I am betting OVER on their win total.
Key Players Resigned: DE Leonard Williams, OT Nate Solder, NT Austin Johnson
Key Additions: WR Kenny Golladay, WR John Ross III, RB Devontae Booker, CB Adoree’ Jackson, TE Kyle Rudolph
Key Departures: RB Wayne Gallman, QB Colt McCoy, WR Golden Taint
Key 2021 Draft Picks: WR Kadarius Toney, LB Adze Ojulari, CB Aaron Robinson
New York Giants Win Total Prediction: OVER 7.0 (-130) wins
Philadelphia Eagles – NFC East Win Total Futures
Three years after upsetting New England, 41–33 during Super Bowl LII, Philadelphia (4–12) posted their worst record since 2021. Few things worked well for the Eagles, as they managed just 20.9 points per game on offense and allowed 26.1 ppg on defense.
Not helping their cause, Philadelphia ranked 29th overall with a -10 turnover ratio as they had 29 giveaways and just 19 takeaways. QB Carson Wentz was benched during Week 13 action and rookie Jalen Hurts took over as the starter. The Eagles are in a rebuilding stage, and another rough season is on the horizon in 2021.
Key Players Resigned: C Jason Kelce, LB Alex Singleton, DE Brandon Graham,
Key Additions: DE Ryan Kerrigan, RB Kerryon Johnson, S Anthony Harris
Key Departures: WR Alshon Jeffery, WR DeSean Jackson, S Jalen Mills
Key 2021 Draft Picks: WR DeVonta Smith, C Landon Dickerson, CB Zech McPhearson
Philadelphia Eagles Win Total Prediction: UNDER 6.5 (+127) wins
Updates on the NFC East: A division with one total quarterback
Not everybody wants to learn information that doesn’t concern the LA Rams and I fully understand you. It’s no problem to feel that way or to ignore posts that intend to bring awareness to the ocean...
www.turfshowtimes.com
Updates on the NFC East: A division with one total quarterback
Not everybody wants to learn information that doesn’t concern the LA Rams and I fully understand you. It’s no problem to feel that way or to ignore posts that intend to bring awareness to the ocean that the Rams must navigate next season.Articles like this one are intended to describe those waters because no team sails to the Super Bowl without surviving the sea first.
Los Angeles faced all four NFC East teams in 2020, but there is only one on the schedule next season: a morning road game against the New York Giants on October 17th. Last season, the Rams went 4-0 against the NFC East, including a 17-9 victory against the Giants. But New York, and all of these teams, will look significantly different whenever it is that they next face LA.
At least one of them will make the postseason. Given the fact that little effort was put into reshuffling the deck at quarterback though, it’s hard to imagine which of these teams would be able to win a wild card spot in the NFC. And how.
There’s plenty of defensive talent, but other than the guy whose foot was pointing to Albuquerque the last time we saw him, the quarterback situation doesn’t look any less dire than it did with Carson Wentz and Alex Smith. These are some updates on the four teams in the NFC East.
NFC East
Washington Football Team - Taylor Heinicke challenging Ryan Fitzpatrick?
"My biggest impression [from minicamp] is that Taylor Heinicke might not be the one-hit wonder we all thought he was... Fitzpatrick is still the starter as of now, but the guy can play, and it's not just because Tampa Bay had no idea who he was" - @PeteHaileyNBCS
— WASHINGTON FOOTBALL (@HogsHaven) June 11, 2021
I have a hard time believing that Fitzpatrick is getting another chance to start. Teams that have said “Yes” and then “No” to Fitzpatrick as a starter include the Rams, Bengals, Bills, Titans, Texans, Jets, Bucs, and Dolphins. Most quarterbacks never get to hear “No” twice. Fitzpatrick has already operated as Washington’s starter since he signed in March, so make Football Team the ninth team to give him a chance.
Nine.
Most interesting veteran addition: WR Curtis Samuel
Most interesting draft pick: LB Jamin Davis
Head coach Ron Rivera worked with Samuel in Carolina, and Davis is the exact type of pick that we had come to expect from the Panthers. He might have been the best linebacker in the draft and Washington could have the best front-seven in the NFL. How many “could haves” has Fitzpatrick turned into “won’t bes” over his career? Because he’s yet to make the playoffs in any of his many dozens of campaigns.
Dallas Cowboys - Dak Prescott not yet returned to action
Prescott has made it back to the field after suffering a broken ankle in Week 5 of last season, but he’s been held out of 11-of-11 drills at OTAs.
The most important joint of Dallas’ entire year is the ankle that Dak Prescott had so badly injured early last season. We saw nothing but glowing reports from the staff about his recovery, but we’ve been led down that primrose path before.
It was all non-contact, and Prescott was held out of any 11-on-11 work as an added precaution, but he certainly looked like he was completely ready to go.
It’s hard to ignore what the Cowboys are set to have offensively: Prescott, Ezekiel Elliott, Tyron Smith, Zack Martin, Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup, CeeDee Lamb.
Around those guys, center Tyler Biadasz, right tackle La’El Collins, left guard Connor Williams at least have some draft pedigree and experience and this could be a good offensive line again in front of Prescott and Elliott.
Most interesting veteran addition: LB/Rover Keanu Neal
Most interesting draft pick: LB Micah Parsons
Dallas’s first six draft picks were: LB, CB, DT, DE, CB, LB
The linebackers unit now includes Jaylon Smith, Leighton Vander Esch, Parsons, Neal, and Jabril Cox. How does that shake out? Some might say that Cox is “more interesting” than Parson, but I won’t do that to the difference between the third defensive player drafted and a fourth round pick. Cox was available for reasons, we’ll see how things shake out.
New York Giants - No timetable on Saquon Barkley’s return from torn ACL
Barkley tore his ACL and did damage to his MCL and meniscus in Week 2 of last season and it’s not yet known when he will return, even as he approaches the 10-month mark since the injury. In 2019, Barkley had 217 carries for 1,003 yards and 52 catches for 438 yards over 13 games. Barkley led the NFL in yards from scrimmage as a rookie, with 2,028, and he added 15 touchdowns.
In theory, the Giants could have a good offense, but that entirely depends on a myriad of unknowns:
Will Daniel Jones ever be good, with or without a good supporting cast?
First round pick Kadarius Toney is a rookie
Kenny Golladay is a first-time Giant and missed 11 games last season
Andrew Thomas, selected ahead of Jedrick Wills, Mekhi Becton, and Tristan Wirfs, has so far been the worst first round tackle of 2020
Kyle Rudolph is in a similar position to Golladay
Will Barkley recover and stay healthy?
Will Sterling Shepard recover from an underwhelming second season?
Is Jason Garrett the right offensive coordinator?
Lots of potential, also a lot of questions.
Most interesting free agent addition: Golladay
Most interesting draft pick: OLB Azeez Ojulari
I’m a fan of Toney, but his start thus far has been described as “clunky” and he’s not likely to beat out Golladay and Slayton for one of the top-two receiver jobs. In fact, he might also not beat Sterling Shepard.
People were surprised to see Ojulari available at pick 50, but most importantly, he has an opportunity to get on the field immediately as a pass rusher. The Rams are among the teams who are well aware of how good New York’s defense was last season, but other than Leonard Williams, nobody on the defense had more than four sacks. Toney could become the team’s best receiver eventually, but Ojulari could be the team’s best edge immediately.
Philadelphia Eagles - Jalen Hurts, Joe Flacco are Eagles only two quarterbacks
“He’s just as smooth as they come."
The #Eagles only have two QBs on their roster entering training camp. One of them is a former Super Bowl MVP with 14 years of experience.
QBs coach Brian Johnson on what Joe Flacco has brought to the position room:https://t.co/SGdz8gtmXC
— Mike Kaye (@mike_e_kaye) June 10, 2021
There is not much separating us from an NFC East that features Dak Prescott, Mike Glennon, Joe Flacco, and Kyle Allen. Or Dak, Jones, Jalen Hurts, and Taylor Heinicke. I mean, other than Dak Prescott, what exactly are we doing here?
Assuming that Hurts wins the starting job, he’ll be throwing to DeVonta Smith, Jalen Reagor, Travis Fulgham, Greg Ward, and JJ Arcega-Whiteside. Maybe. He’ll have Zach Ertz and Dallas Goedert too, while the offensive line might actually be among the best in the NFL.
Over the last three seasons, Flacco has started nine games for the Ravens and then got benched for Lamar Jackson; started eight games for the Denver Broncos and made way for Drew Lock; started four games for the Jets, who’ve moved onto Zach Wilson. Now he’s almost certain, I think, to start some games for Philadelphia.
As a rookie, Hurts made four starts and the Eagles went 1-3: 52% completions, 6 touchdowns, 4 interceptions, 7.2 Y/A, 77.6 rating, 41 QBR, 63 carries for 354 yards, nine fumbles.
What exactly are we doing here?
Most interesting free agent addition: S Anthony Harris
Most interesting draft pick: WR DeVonta Smith
I’ll also bring up center Landon Dickerson — because I know that one stings for some of you — but Dickerson is still recovering from a torn ACL. If the Rams had picked him, a team often criticized for draft players when picking players who have an injury history, that’s also where he’d be at right now: recovering.
The Eagles have the luxury to not play Dickerson all year, but Smith should immediately become Hurts’ safety blanket. Reagor was disappointing as a rookie and that was compounded by the success of his wide receiver peers. When Hurts was playing, Reagor caught only 12 of 21 targets for 174 yards. Smith was drafted as high as he was because he should be “NFL ready” and capable of creating yards and separation on his own.
Harris really stayed under the radar and I didn’t remember that he had signed with the Eagles, even though he was one of my favorite pending free agents of 2020. The Vikings gave him the franchise tag then, but all he got in free agency this year was a one-season pact for $4 million. Harris had six interceptions in 2019, but zero in 2020.
The Eagles have some all-pro talent but they also have some potential holes on the roster that look no different than the weakest links that caused them to go 4-11-1 last season.
