We’re just two weeks into free agency this year. But there is one NFC East team that appears to be off to an early lead.
The Washington Commanders have re-signed 15 of their free agents already.
They’ve also added 10 more free agent signings and picked up two key pieces in trades.
The Commanders are hitting it in both quantity and quality. The rest of the division should be taking note of this.
The team that finished second in the division last year, and at one point was leading it, is on a mission to win the division this year.
So far, none of the other three teams have matched that energy.
Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys managed to retain all three key pieces of their free agents on special teams. Returner KaVontae Turpin, punter Bryan Anger, and long snapper Trent Sieg will all be back.
Retaining guard-center Brock Hoffman, defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa, and defensive backs Juanyeh Thomas and Markquese Bell were needed moves.
Of the eight outside free agents signed so far, linebacker Jack Sanborn is the cream of the crop.
Defensive end Dante Fowler, and running backs Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders are huge question marks. The same can be said for the two players Dallas traded for.
Cornerback Kaiir Elam and linebacker Kenneth Murray Jr. are both former first round picks that didn’t pan out with their previous teams.
Grade: C- (and don’t at me in the comments. I’ve seen many other lower grades handed down to Dallas already.)
Re-signed
- Brock Hoffman OL
- Osa Odighizuwa DT
- Tyus Wheat DL
- Markquese Bell S
- C.J. Goodwin CB
- Juanyeh Thomas CB
- KaVontae Turpin KR/WR
- Bryan Anger P
- Trent Sieg LS
Signed
- Miles Sanders RB
- Javonte Williams RB
- Parris Campbell WR
- Rob Jones OL
- Solomon Thomas DT
- Payton Turner DE
- Dante Fowler Jr. DE
- Jack Sanborn LB
Traded For
- Kaiir Elam CB
- Kenneth Murray Jr. LB
New York Giants
The Giants haven’t exactly set the spring on fire either. They have re-signed 10 of their players while signing 12 outside free agents.
Two more notable additions came with quarterback Jameis Winston and defensive lineman Chauncey Gholston.
Neither player screams “Super Bowl” but they should help improve a team that has been dismal for a couple of years now at the very least.
Grade: C (Note: The Giants are the only NFC East team not to have pulled the trigger on an offseason trade yet.)
Re-signed
- Tommy DeVito QB
- Ihmir Smith-Marsette WR
- Darius Slayton WR
- Chris Manhertz TE
- Aaron Stinnie OG
- Greg Van Roten RG
- Tomon Fox LB
- Dyontae Johnson LB
- Casey Kreiter LS
- Jamie Gillan P
Signed
- Jameis Winston QB
- Lil’Jordan Humphrey WR
- Zach Pascal WR
- Stone Forsythe OT
- James Hudson III OT
- Chauncey Golston DL
- Jeremiah Ledbetter DL
- Roy Robertson-Harris DT
- Chris Board LB
- Paulson Adebo CB
- Jevon Holland S
- Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles S
Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles are already seeing the curse of winning a Super Bowl.
Everyone starts poaching your players. And, you usually don’t have a lot of money lying about to go replace them with.
Philadelphia has retained four free agents, including key players like running back Saquon Barkley, offensive tackle Lane Johnson, and linebacker Zack Braun.
The Eagles have signed eight free agents, most notably running back A.J. Dillon. They have traded for a new back-up quarterback in Dorian Thompson-Robinson.
Grade: B- — if only for retaining Barkley.
Re-signed
- Zack Baun LB
- Saquon Barkley RB
- Ben VanSumeren FB
- Lane Johnson OT
Signed
- A.J. Dillon RB
- Harrison Bryant TE
- Kylen Granson TE
- Joshua Uche DE
- Azeez Ojulari DE
- Adoree’ Jackson CB
- Charley Hughlett LS
- Avery Williams KR/PR
Traded
- Dorian Thompson-Robinson QB
- Kenyon Green OG
Washington Commanders
The Commanders are winning this race by attrition. A total of 25 free agents, in-house and outside combined, sends a strong message.
“We’re (really) all-in.”
Did you see what I did there, Jerry Jones?
Michael Gallup might be the steal of the year, or the biggest swing and a miss. If he returns in pre-injury form, Jayden Daniels is going to have a monster year.
Especially as Washington traded for receiver Deebo Samuel and left tackle Laremy Tunsil.
Right now, the Commanders are the early favorites to win the NFC East in January. Maybe even sooner.
Grade: A
Re-signed
- Marcus Mariota QB
- Jeremy McNichols RB
- Zach Ertz TE
- John Bates TE
- Noah Brown WR
- Nick Bellore LB
- Sheldon Day DL
- Michael Deiter C
- Zane Gonzalez K
- Noah Igbinoghene CB
- Bobby Wagner LB
- J. Osborn WR
- Trent Scott OT
- Clelin Ferrell DE
- Jalyn Holmes DT
Signed
- Michael Gallup WR
- Nate Herbig OG
- Kevon Seymour CB
- Tress Way P
- Javon Kinlaw DT
- Will Harris S
- Deatrich Wise Jr. DE
- Eddie Goldman DT
- Jonathan Jones CB
- Jacob Martin LB
Traded
- Deebo Samuel Sr. WR
- Laremy Tunsil LT