2024 NFC East Offseason Report Card: Key Additions, Subtractions, Final Grades

Dan Quinn and the Commanders made some big upgrades and look like contenders. Meanwhile, the Eagles and Giants kept pace and the Cowboys had a mostly quiet offseason.

Daniels will lead a new era in Washington. / Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Washington Commanders have had plenty of buzz this offseason with the arrival of quarterback Jayden Daniels and new decision-makers.

The hype might be real based on all the savvy moves the Commanders made this offseason, which could help them close the gap on the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC East.

The New York Giants don’t have a new signal-caller, but Daniel Jones could have a bounce-back season with a revamped offensive line and the arrival of rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers.

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The Eagles were busy this offseason repairing their defense with hopes of winning their second NFC East title in three years. But last year’s divisional champs, the Cowboys, had a quiet offseason.

Here are grades and analysis for how the NFC East teams did this offseason.

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Washington Commanders

Offseason grade: A

Key additions: OG Nick Allegretti, Edge Dorance Armstrong, C Tyler Biadasz, S Jeremy Chinn, OT Brandon Coleman, QB Jayden Daniels, CB Michael Davis, RB Austin Ekeler, TE Zach Ertz, Edge Clelin Ferrell, Edge Dante Fowler Jr., LB Frankie Luvu, QB Marcus Mariota, WR Luke McCaffrey, K Brandon McManus, DT Jer’Zhan “Johnny” Newton, CB Mike Sainristil, TE Ben Sinnott, LB Bobby Wagner

Key subtractions: LB Cody Barton, QB Jacoby Brissett, S Kamren Curl, CB Kendall Fuller, RB Antonio Gibson, QB Sam Howell, WR Curtis Samuel

Analysis: Perhaps no NFL team was busier than the Commanders this offseason. New GM Adam Peters spent plenty of money, but did it wisely to fill various needs on the roster. With the draft selection of Daniels, the Commanders might have enough talent to contend for a playoff spot during Dan Quinn’s first season as the head coach.

The Commanders avoided splash signings in free agency to maintain their cap space flexibility for the future while also providing quality players for the present. After trading Montez Sweat and Chase Young, the Commanders added Armstrong and Ferrell, two underrated players who stepped up for the Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers, respectively. With one of their many draft picks, the Commanders then drafted Newton to possibly form a dominant interior rotation with Daron Payne and Jonathan Allen. The revamped defensive front also gained Luvu and Wagner. And the secondary, which might have been the worst in the NFL last season, added Chinn and drafted Sainristil.

Quinn has enough playmakers to quickly turn the defense into a productive unit, but all eyes will be on rookie quarterback Daniels, the No. 2 pick. Many have taken notice of what the Chicago Bears built for rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, but Daniels could also walk into a strong situation. Washington repaired the offensive line with the signings of Allegretti and Biadasz, and added a playmaker in Ekeler. McCaffrey could provide a spark for a receiving corps that features Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson. Don’t be surprised if the Commanders are in the mix for a playoff spot come late December.

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Philadelphia Eagles

Offseason grade: B

Key additions: RB Saquon Barkley, OT Mekhi Becton, WR Parris Campbell, DB Cooper DeJean, S C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Edge Bryce Huff, CB Quinyon Mitchell, QB Kenny Pickett, WR DeVante Parker, LB Devin White

Key subtractions: S Kevin Byard, DT Fletcher Cox, C Jason Kelce, QB Marcus Mariota, Edge Haason Reddick, RB Boston Scott, RB D’Andre Swift

Analysis: The Eagles retooled after a disappointing finish to the 2023 season. They improved their defense, splurging on Huff and using their first two draft picks on Mitchell and DeJean. Perhaps the defensive additions are enough to once again turn the Eagles into a Super Bowl contender, but that will depend on what the offensive line does during its first season without Jason Kelce.

Philadelphia prepared for life after Kelce by drafting Jurgens and Steen. But in case the inexperienced players struggle, the Eagles signed Barkley, who’s known for making plays without sizable running lanes. Barkley will be another playmaker for Jalen Hurts, who relied heavily on tight end Dallas Goedert for intermediate throws. But Barkley arrives with plenty of wear and tear from his six seasons with the Giants. As for another concern, the Eagles didn’t do enough to provide help for A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith. They’re banking on Parker or Campbell to step up as the third wideout.

The defense should be much improved with the newcomers on the defensive line and in the secondary, but the team didn’t make many upgrades at linebacker—one of the worst groups in the NFL last season. New defensive coordinator Vic Fangio likely will use many defensive backs on the field to mask the weaknesses at linebacker. But perhaps the Eagles get a bounce-back season from White, the former first-rounder of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Eagles have a few roster concerns, but they addressed many areas and should once again be in the mix for the NFC East title.

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Nabers (9) gives Jones a much needed weapon at wide receiver. / Chris Pedota, NorthJersey.com / USA

New York Giants

Offseason grade: B-

Key additions: Edge Brian Burns, OL Jermaine Eluemunor, QB Drew Lock, CB Jalen Mills, WR Malik Nabers, S Tyler Nubin, CB Andru Phillips, DT Jordan Phillips, OG Jon Runyan Jr., RB Devin Singletary, OG Aaron Stinnie

Key subtractions: RB Saquon Barkley, OG Ben Bredeson, WR Parris Campbell, S Xavier McKinney, QB Tyrod Taylor, DT A’Shawn Robinson

Analysis: The Giants could be giving Daniel Jones one more shot to prove himself after declining to trade up in the draft to select one of the top QBs available. The team passed on drafting J.J. McCarthy, Michael Penix Jr. and Bo Nix, which might be a sign of confidence for their incumbent signal-caller or a lack of confidence in those options.

Jones, the 2019 first-round pick, will get a fair shake to prove himself after the team used the No. 6 pick to select Nabers, who has the speed to expand coach Brian Daboll’s playbook. But the Giants didn’t do enough to bolster the skill positions. There’s also the possibility of tight end Darren Waller retiring in the near future. But the Giants did address the concerns on the offensive line with the signings of Runyan, Stinnie and Eluemunor. If Jones doesn’t make it work with this roster, the team could turn to Lock, the former Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks QB.

The Giants improved on the other side of the line of scrimmage with the splash trade for Burns. New York could have the best defensive front in the NFC East with Burns, defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence and edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux. The secondary, however, is thin and lacks experience. The Giants will need immediate contributions from Nubin and Andru Phillips, the team’s second- and third-round picks. New York should be competitive with the moves it made, but it all depends on the play of Jones.

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Dallas Cowboys

Offseason grade: C

Key additions: OL Cooper Beebe, RB Ezekiel Elliott, RB Royce Freeman, OT Tyler Guyton, LB Eric Kendricks, Edge Marshawn Kneeland, LB Marist Liufau

Key subtractions: Edge Dorance Armstrong, C Tyler Biadasz, Edge Dante Fowler Jr., CB Stephon Gilmore, DT Johnathan Hankins, RB Tony Pollard, OT Tyron Smith, LB Leighton Vander Esch

Analysis: The Cowboys had the opposite offseason of the Commanders, and it didn’t help that Quinn, their former defensive coordinator, took many of their top in-house free agents to Washington. Cowboys fans were frustrated about the team’s lack of activity in free agency, but the team did have a solid draft to replenish its strong offensive and defensive lines.

Despite the departure of Smith, Dak Prescott should still have good protection after Dallas used a first-round pick on Guyton, the new left tackle. The Cowboys also drafted Beebe in the third round to compete with Brock Hoffman for the starting center job. But the Cowboys neglected the skill positions and are now seemingly banking on Elliott to turn back the clock as their top running back. The team is in need of a third wideout to help CeeDee Lamb and Brandin Cooks. As for other knocks, the team hasn’t worked out extensions with Lamb and Micah Parsons. They also have a contract dilemma with Prescott, but perhaps the team wants him to prove himself in the postseason before working out a new deal.

The Cowboys lost their depth on the defensive line because of a few notable departures, including Fowler and Armstrong joining the Commanders. Perhaps Kneeland, a second-round pick, can help Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence. The secondary should be a strength again, but there’s uncertainty with the linebackers. Kendricks is no longer in his prime and he might start next to rookie third-round pick Liufau. It was a quiet offseason, but the Cowboys wisely prioritized the trenches in the draft to maintain a strong overall roster.