Cowboys, Eagles have top WR corps in NFC East

For the most part, the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles have the best rooms at every position in the NFC East.

This fact is never more apparent than when the four teams’ receivers rooms are examined. And the difference between Dallas and Philadelphia in this case is razor-thin.

At least it was through the 2023 season.

The Cowboys’ wide receiver room took a small step backward when Michael Gallup was cut loose.

How Dallas fills that hole in the roster this fall will determine if the Eagles have an edge at the position. And the Cowboys did little to fill that gap.

Who Steps Up In Dallas?

Assuming CeeDee Lamb’s contract situation is resolved, the Cowboys will have a solid WR1 in 2024.

Lamb hauled in 135 catches for 1,749 yards and 12 touchdowns last season.

He will enter his fifth NFL season having exceeded his yardage total from the previous year in each season. He could potentially put up a 2,000-yard season this fall.

Brandin Cooks proved to be more of a WR2 for Dallas in 2023 than Gallup was.

Cooks had 54 catches for 657 yards and eight touchdowns against Gallup’s 34 receptions for 418 yards and two scores.

Cooks likely will be WR2 in 2024. So who will be WR3?

There are several candidates.

Both Jalen Tolbert and KaVontae Turpin are entering their third NFL seasons – a milestone where many receivers have a breakout season.

Tolbert appears to be the best prospect of the two for such a breakout. Especially as Turpin will likely be of more value on special teams as a returner.

Jalen Brooks showed flashes in limited action in his rookie season.

Ryan Flournoy was drafted in the sixth round in April. He is already drawing comparisons to Dez Bryant.

Whoever it turns out to be, the Cowboys need one of these players to step up if Dallas is to have any chance to compete for a second-straight division title.

The Eagles Also Need A WR3

While the Eagles have a better 1-2 combo, they too have questions regarding the rest of their receiver corps.

Philadelphia had a pair of 1,000-yard receivers in 2023. And they have both coming back.

A.J. Brown had 106 catches for 1,456 yards and seven TDS.

DeVonta Smith had 81 receptions for 1,066 yards and also recorded seven scores.

It was a dynamic 1-2 punch that got the Eagles off to an 11-1 start in 2023. They will be the driving force behind the Eagles’ attack this fall.

But the drop off after these two players was dramatic.

Philadelphia’s third-highest wide receiver in yardage was Alamide Zaccheaus with 164 yards in just 10 catches.

Quez Watkins has 142 yards on 15 catches. Julio Jones played four games and had 74 yards and three TDs on 11 receptions.

Jones was released and the Eagles have turned to former New York Giant Parris Campbell to serve as WR3.

Campbell had just 104 yards on 20 receptions in 2023.

In short, Philadelphia is in the same boat as Dallas. Looking for a WR3 and not having a whole lot of options available.

A Surprise In D.C.?

The Commanders will likely start a rookie in 2024 at quarterback.

If they do, at least they appear to have given him a solid group of weapons to work with.

Despite the departure of Curtis Samuel to Buffalo, Washington have two solid returning starters. Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson posted strong 2023 seasons.

Jamison Crowder will be playing in his 10th season this year and Washington will likely be hoping to get solid numbers from him in 2024.

They also drafted Luke McCaffrey in the third round in April. McCaffrey could be the best rookie WR in the NFL this year if he and Jayden Daniels connect.

And A Rookie Shall Lead Them

Malik Nabers could quickly find himself the WR1 in New York by the first week.

That’s how thin the room is for the Giants. To be fair, there’s many rooms in new York that are as thin or thinner.

The LSU rookie comes in with a lot more talent than Darius Slayton and Wan’Dale Robinson, the Giants’ current WR1 & WR2 respectively.

Slayton had 770 yards and four TDs on 50 catches last season. Robinson had 525 yards and a single score on 60 catches.

Nabers – no matter who plays quarterback in New York – should be able to easily exceed those numbers.

Still, the Giants passing game is weak, and the wide receiver room is the weakest in the division as the 2024 season approaches.

Current WRs on NFC East Rosters

Dallas Cowboys

CeeDee Lamb

Brandin Cooks

Jalen Tolbert

Jalen Brooks

KaVontae Turpin

Ryan Flournoy

David Durden

Tyron Billy-Johnson

Racey McMath

Cam Johnson

Jalen Cropper

Corey Crooms

New York Giants

Darius Slayton

Wan’Dale Robinson

Malik Nabers

Allen Robinson II

Isaiah Hodgins

Dennis Houston

Bryce Ford-Wheaton

Jalin Hyatt

Miles Boykin

Chase Cota

John Jiles

Isaiah McKenzie

Gunner Olszewski

Ayir Asante

Philadelphia Eagles

A.J. Brown

DeVonta Smith

Parris Campbell

Johnny Wilson

John Ross

Joseph Ngata

Jacob Harris

Austin Watkins Jr.

Ainias Smith

Britain Covey

Shaquan Davis

Washington Commanders

Terry McLaurin

Jahan Dotson

Luke McCaffrey

Jamison Crowder

Dax Milne

Mitchell Tinsley

Davion Davis

Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint

Dyami Brown

Damiere Byrd

Brycen Tremayne

Olamide Zaccheaus

Kazmeir Allen