2018 NFC East Team Analysis and Projections
Now that the AFC is done let's start of the analysis of the NFC with the boys from the East.
Philadelphia Eagles
2018-19 Projected Finish: 1st
2017-18 Finish: 1st
Key Additions
Offense
Mike Wallace (WR)(free agent - Ravens) – Wallace is coming off two really solid seasons for the Ravens and was signed to a cheap 1-year deal. Wallace is likely to replace Torey Smith’s role within the offense and replicate if not exceed his production within the offense.
Defense
Michael Bennett (DE)(trade with Seahawks ) - The Eagles acquired Bennett in exchange for receiver Marcus Johnson and a fifth-round pick. Bennett will look to replace the role of Vinny Curry who was released later after the team acquired Bennett. At age 32 he may be slowing down, but he is still a productive player who should have a bigger impact rushing the passer than Vinny Curry.
Haloti Ngata (DT)(free agent - Lions) – This signing became more pivotal after it was revealed that Timmy Jernigan had surgery on a herniated disc in his back and has a 4-6 month recovery timetable. Jernigan is in jeopardy of missing the start of the season and maybe more. Ngata was signed on a 1-year deal and at age 34 his best years are behind him, but that doesn’t mean he can’t be effective. Ngata will specialize in stopping the run for the Eagles, and in case Jernigan misses time Ngata may be the first to take his spot as the starter. Ngata looks like he will play a vital role in the Eagles defense this coming season.
Key Losses
Offense
Torrey Smith (WR)(trade to Panthers) – Smith was a cap casualty for the Eagles. They needed the space, so the team shipped him to Carolina for cornerback Daryl Worley. The team later released Worley after he was arrested. Smith didn’t have the most productive regular season with 36 catches for 430 yards, but he really came alive in the Eagles 3 postseason games recording 13 catches for 157 yards. The Eagles will look to Mike Wallace to fill Smith’s role and may he may even be more productive.
Defense
Patrick Robinson (CB)(Signed with Saints) – Since being drafted by the Saints in the 1st round of the 2010 draft, Patrick Robinson has not lived up to his draft status. Entering last year, he was on his third team in three years. Not many expected Robinson to play at the level he did last season turning into an exceptional slot cornerback for the Eagles. Robinson graded out at an 89.8 rating last season, good for Pro Football Focus #6 cornerback rating. Robinson will likely be replaced by Sidney Jones who is a question mark after missing most of his rookie year with a torn achillies.
Team Analysis
The Super Bowl champs should once again win the division. The roster is as deep as ever, and they have a quality quarterback. Whether Carson Wentz is healthy enough to play week one or not still remains to be seen.
Washington Redskins
2018-19 Projected Finish: 2nd
2017-18 Finish: 3rd
Key Additions
Offense
Alex Smith (QB) (trade with Chiefs) – The Redskins acquired Smith from the Chiefs for a third-round pick and talented cornerback in Kendall Fuller. In Smith, the Redskins are gaining a veteran quarterback who is coming off a career season in which he showed his ability to attack all three levels of the field. With Smith being extended by the Redskins, they no longer have to deal with the quarterback drama they endured with the Kirk Cousins – a saga in which neither side was satisfied.
Paul Richardson (WR)(free agent – Seahawks) – Richardson was a player who always had the potential to be productive but never quite reached that level. That was until this past season where he recorded 44 receptions for 703 yards and 6 touchdowns. Richardson is a burner that fills the role Desean Jackson occupied two seasons ago. For Smith, who displayed last season an ability to push the football down the field, Richardson will be a welcome addition, and it would not be a shock for Richardson to have a career-best year in his first season with the Redskins.
Defense
Da’Ron Payne (NT)(draft, round 1st pick 13th) – The Redskins went back to the Alabama well in 2018 a year after selecting Jon Allen in the first round to select Da’Ron Payne. Payne is a special talent with freak athleticism. At 311 pounds he ran a 4.95 40. Payne will immediately help a run defense that was awful last season, and along with a return of Jonathan Allen from injury, the Redskins defense should be much improved. While Payne has a chance to be special, questions arise regarding his pass rushing ability due to limited production in college.
Key Losses
Offense
Kirk Cousins (QB)(signed with Vikings) – Kirk Cousins to Alex Smith might be a draw and Smith may even get the edge. While Cousins is a loss, the advantage of no longer having the saga of contract negotiations or franchise tagging is addition by subtraction for the Redskins. Overall, they might have come out better by acquiring Smith.
Defense
Kendall Fuller (CB)(traded to Chiefs) – Fuller had an excellent season last year for the Redskins, but the team parted with him when they acquired Alex Smith. The successor to Fuller is not immediately clear. Orlando Scandrick may get the nod to take over slot duties, but injury questions will persist. Overall, Fuller will be missed in a passing defense that was in the top half of the league last season.
Team Analysis
I’m higher on Washington than most as I believe the offense led by Alex Smith has the opportunity to flourish. This year with Derrius Guice at running back and the return of Jordan Reed and Chris Thompson from injuries the offense could easily improve. As for the defense, the return of Jonathan Allen and the addition of Da’Ron Payne should help the run defense which has been awful the last few years. Overall, the Redskins have the talent capable of winning 9 or 10 games this season.
Dallas Cowboys
2018-19 Projected Finish: 3rd
2017-18 Finish: 2nc
Key Additions
Offense
Allen Hurns (WR)(free agent - Jaguars) – When Hurns signed with the Cowboys many wondered what that meant for Dez Bryant. What it meant was the end of his tenure in Dallas. Hurns is a good receiver who currently looks like the Cowboys number one in a room filled with none. Hurns could very easily match Bryant’s production and then some this coming season. Hurns was a strong signing for a team in need of more consistent pass catchers. The Cowboys could expect a possible 1,000-yard season in 2018 if he remains healthy.
Connor Williams (OG)(draft, round 2nd pick 50th) - For a unit that seemed invincible the Cowboys offensive line struggled in 2017. With the retirement of Doug Free and the departure of guard Ronald Leary to the Broncos, the team shifted La’el Collins from left guard to right tackle and used a combination of Jonathan Cooper and Chaz Green at left guard. Green, of course, is most remembered for the game against the Atlanta Falcons in which he gave up six sacks to Adrian Clayborn. This season the Cowboys will continue with La’el Cloons at right tackle but will give second-round pick Williams the opportunity at left guard. Williams had a disappointing final season at the University of Texas compared to a stellar 2016 season, but the struggles could be attributed partially to a knee injury he suffered. For the Cowboys, the hope is that Williams will lock down the left guard spot and with a healthy Tyron Smith the team will once again have three healthy All-Pro players along the offensive line clearing lanes for Zeke.
Defense
Leighton Vander Esch (LB)(draft, round 1st pick 19th) – Vander Esch is a freak athlete at the linebacker position who last season was excellent with Boise State. Dallas was in need of a linebacker with the departure of Anthony Hitchens. In Vander Esch, the team is acquiring an explosive linebacker with sky-high potential due to his athletic ability. With Vander Esch, the question is can he be as effective as Hitchens from day one. I doubt that he can, but I believe he can be a superior player as he continues to develop.
Key Losses
Offense
Jason Witten (TE)(retirement) – Witten is a future hall of famer who was the most consistent player on the Cowboys offense. Dallas does not have a player to fill the void Witten leaves. In Witten, the Cowboys had a reliable playmaker who was a consistent chain mover and safety valve for Dak Prescott. Witten’s void will immediately be felt this season when the offense struggles to convert in third-down situations.
Defense
Anthony Hitchens (LB)(signed with Chiefs) – Hitchens was replaced by Leighton Vander Esch as listed above but that doesn’t mean that Dallas won't miss him. Vander Esch is a good player, but it may take a few years for him to reach the level of play Hitchens currently provides. Hitchens is a quality linebacker who specialized in stopping the run but also developed into a better coverage linebacker over his years in Dallas. Though Vander Esch could very well end up being better than Hitchens, this season Hitchens likely will produce at a higher level.
Team Analysis
Overall the Cowboys were a disappointment last season. Between the injury to Tyron Smith, the idiotic six-game suspension for Ezekiel Elliott, or the disappointing second year of Dak Prescott, the Cowboys never seemed to be able to get on track. Looking at the team this season they don’t seem like they’re a Super Bowl contender, but they could still compete for a wild card.
New York Giants
2018-19 Projected Finish: 4th
2017-18 Finish: 4th
Key Additions
Offense
Nate Solder (OT)(free agent - Patriots) – Solder was the Giants big free agent signing coming over on a 4-year, $62 million contract. Solder is not an All-Pro caliber player, but he is a consistent performer and will be an immediate upgrade for a Giants team in which the offensive line has been poor for years. Solder, along with second-round pick Will Hernandez, will give the Giants a quality left side of the offensive line this season though questions remain at right tackle.
Saquon Barkley (RB)(draft, round 1st pick 2) – Stud. Saquon Barkley is a stud, and the drafting of Barkley does two things. First, it indicates the franchise truly did believe in Eli Manning having high caliber years of play remaining despite his age. Second, it gives the Giants a balanced offensive attack no longer forcing Eli to throw the ball 50 times in a game due to a non-existent rushing attack. Barkley should have an immediate impact in his rookie season helping Eli to what could be his best season since 2015.
Defense
Alec Ogletree (LB)(Trade with Rams) – Ogletree being acquired by the team immediately showed the change in philosophy from the previous regime. Dave Gettleman immediately sought help at linebacker something Jerry Reese failed to do. In Ogletree, the team is acquiring a linebacker who is a capable run defender but an inconsistent tackler. He will likely be used more in blitzing this season than in previous years. Overall a worthy upgrade for a unit which was in dire need of it.
Key Losses
Offense
Weston Richburg (C)(signed with 49’ers) – Richburg is replaced by Brett Jones or Jon Halapio this coming season. Richburg is a good center, but the Giants prioritized cap space elsewhere rather than resigning Richburg. In Jones, the Giants have a center who excelled last season in pass blocking but was poor in the run game. Halapio is better at run blocking. The Giants will have to decide whether the prioritize the run or the pass when deciding the position battle. Overall, Richburg is a quality center but was not worth the price in the minds of the Giants.
Defense
Jason Pierre-Paul (DE)(traded to Buccaneers) – Pierre-Paul may be a loss for the Giants defense this season, but the future cap savings and the ability to acquire more assets was too much for the team to pass up. This was especially true with Odell Beckham Jr in need of a new contract likely making him the highest paid wide receiver in the NFL. Overall the trade made a lot of financial sense for the Giants and should benefit the team in the long term.
Team Analysis
I am not sold on the Giants. Though I did like some of the offseason moves, other were puzzling. Overall the team feels like it could finish anywhere from 2nd to 4th, but they lack the necessary talent to win it. I see the offense improving this season, but I don’t believe it will be enough to propel the team into a position to compete for a playoff spot or even the division.
More to come. For more analysis read:
2018 AFC South Team Analysis and Projections
2018 AFC North Team Analysis and Projections
2018 AFC West Team Analysis and Projections
2018 AFC East Team Analysis and Projections
2018 NFC East Team Analysis and Projections