VA
  • TGT on YouTube
  • About TGT
  • The TGT Team
  • How TGT rates
  • Responsible Gambling Advice
  • Contact Our Team
  • Writers Wanted
  • Content Disclaimer
  • Affiliate Disclosure
Contains commercial content
Billboard Left
Billboard Left
The Grueling Truth - Where Legends Speak / NFC East Early 2020 NFL Free Agency Outlook

NFC East Early 2020 NFL Free Agency Outlook

Where will some of them end up?
Publish Date: 02/03/2020
Fact checked by: Mike Goodpaster

The NFC East is the weirdest division in football. It looked like a seven-win team might represent the NFC East in the playoffs early in the 2019 season. The division is a tossup every year, but the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles seem to be the two most powerful forces at the moment.

However, the 2020 offseason could shift the balance in power dramatically. The Cowboys will lose some major contributors in free agency. The Eagles also risk losing several role players. On the other hand, the New York Giants and Washington Redskins will maintain the cores of their teams.

Before getting into the article, a few terms need to be clarified. UFA refers to unrestricted free agents who hit the open market and can sign with any team they want. RFA refers to restricted free agents. RFAs can receive offer sheets from new teams, but their old franchises may match those sheets and retain the player.

ERFA refers to exclusive rights free agents who must sign with their current team if the organization extends an offer. ERFAs may not negotiate with other teams as their current clubs hold exclusive rights over them.

Those explanations about UFAs, RFAs, and ERFAs, skim over a lot of detail, but thatโ€™s enough information for readers to understand the implications discussed in this article.

NFC East

Dallas Cowboys

Biggest free agent- Dak Prescott QB (UFA)

The Cowboys are a front officeโ€™s nightmare. The team is composed of high-profile UFAs, and thereโ€™s no way Dallas can afford to keep all of them. Obviously, Prescott takes priority. Considering how poorly some quarterbacks played this season, Dallas should count themselves lucky to have Prescott.

While owner Jerry Jones and new head coach Mike McCarthy evaluate their team, they should realize that Prescot and running back Ezekiel Elliott are irreplaceable right now. Dallas gave Elliott a six-year, $90 million contract in September. Now, itโ€™s time to pay Prescott.

Aside from potentially giving Prescott a record-setting contract, which would be a massive jump in salary for the former fourth round pick, Dallas will deal out cash to other UFAs on offense. Unfortunately, if Prescott demands a record-breaking deal, which seems to be the trend with free agent quarterbacks, that limits Dallasโ€™ ability to re-sign other players.

Tavon Austin, Randall Cobb, and Amari Cooper are all free agents. Cooper led Dallas in every major receiving category in 2019 and made his fourth Pro Bowl. Cooper is not a top-tier wide receiver. Heโ€™s not elite, and that becomes apparent when heโ€™s compared to the leagueโ€™s All-Pro receivers. However, the 25-year-old pass-catcher could become a staple of Dallasโ€™s offense for the better part of the next decade if he sticks around on a long-term deal.

Austin and Cobb seem replaceable. Austin flunked out of Los Angeles after five seasons with the Rams and never became a consistent contributor in Dallas. Cobb finished third on the Cowboys with 828 receiving yards. However, with McCarthy becoming the head coach, Cobbโ€™s chances of sticking around in Dallas seem high.

Jason Witten is an UFA. After a disastrous year in the broadcast booth, Witten unretired to rejoin the Cowboys on a one-year $4.25 million contract. Surprisingly, Witten almost exactly matched his Pro Bowl production from 2017. Considering the 37-year-old still has gas left in the tank, Dallas could re-sign Witten. If he doesnโ€™t want to play anymore, the team could also bring him on as a coach. Wittenโ€™s backup, Blake Jarwin, is an RFA.

Free agency could gut the Cowboys on defense. Five players who started a significant number of games in 2019 could depart Dallas this offseason. Sean Lee is among the players with an expiring contract. Lee joined Dallas in 2010 and became a standout player, despite many injuries. He finished second on the team in tackles this past season with 86.

In the secondary, Jeff Heath and Byron Jones are UFAs. Jones, a combine standout in 2015, transitioned from safety to cornerback in 2018. The move transformed Jonesโ€™ career, turning him into a Second Team All-Pro. Injuries hampered Jones in 2019, and he looks like the odd man out in Dallas when it comes to making big-time money.

Heath could join Jones in free agency. The undrafted free agent joined Dallas in 2013 and became a starter in 2017. While Heath doesnโ€™t stand out for any particular traits, he does a little bit of everything for Dallas. However, the Cowboys could look to upgrade from him at safety. Darian Thompson, a backup safety who started four games for Dallas in 2019, is also an UFA.

The real hits could come to Dallasโ€™ defensive line. Michael Bennett, Maliek Collins, Christian Covington, and Robert Quinn are all UFAs. Defensive tackle Antwaun Woods is an ERFA. Despite limited snaps in nine games, Bennett ranked third on the team in sacks (four) and quarterback hits (11).

On the interior of the defensive line, Collins also recorded four sacks and added ten quarterback hits. Collins took over as a starter for Dallas during his rookie season in 2014. Covington, a backup defensive tackle, contributed 28 tackles in 2019.

The Cowboys got lucky with Quinn. The former Pro Bowler signed a one-year deal before the season and led Dallas with 11.5 sacks, 22 quarterback hits, and two forced fumbles. Instead of getting the injured, depleted Quinn weโ€™ve seen since 2015, Dallas got a resurgent defensive end who returned to his earlier Pro Bowl form. Quinn should cash in with a lucrative, long-term deal somewhere this summer.

Dallas could even lose several special teams players. Kai Forbath, who took over as Dallasโ€™ kicker late in the season, made all ten of his field goal attempts with the Cowboys. The journeyman kicker will join former Pro Bowl long snapper L.P. Ladouceur in free agency. Ladouceur joined Dallas back in 2005 and is just over a month away from turning 39.

New York Giants

Biggest free agent- Markus Golden LB (UFA)

After four disappointing seasons in Arizona, Golden signed a one-year, $3.75 million contract with the Giants last offseason. The short deal paid off for Golden, who recorded 72 tackles and ten sacks in 2019. Now, Golden is free to sign an oversized contract in 2020.

The Giants made the unusual move of trading for Leonard Williams midseason, despite knowing the former Pro Bowler was in the final season of his rookie deal. Williams added some name recognition to New Yorkโ€™s defensive front, but that didnโ€™t translate into production. Williams finished the season with the fewest sacks (0.5) and quarterback hits (16) of his career.

Despite his limited production in 2019, some team will inevitably offer Williams a large contract based on his age (25) and the potential he flashed earlier in his career.

On offense, Mike Remmers started 14 games at right tackle. The former undrafted free agent originally became a full-time starter in 2015 with the Carolina Panthers. Entering his age 31 season, Remmers will receive several offers in free agency.

The only other offensive UFA worth mentioning is Cody Latimer. The former second round pick by the Denver Broncos posted career numbers in 2019. His 24 receptions, 300 receiving yards, and two receiving touchdowns all mark career-highs.

On defense, the Giants may lose David Mayo. The linebacker signed a one-year deal worth $805,000 with the Giants before the 2019 season. He started New Yorkโ€™s final 13 games, accumulating two sacks and 80 tackles.

New York could undergo a changing of the guard on special teams. Zak DeOssie, New Yorkโ€™s long-time long snapper, is also an UFA. DeOssie joined the Giants in 2007 as a fourth round pick. He went to Pro Bowls in 2008 and 2010 and is 35 years old now. Michael Thomas, a safety and former Pro Bowl special teams player, will also enter free agency.

Kicker Aldrick Rosas is an RFA. After making 97.0% of his field goal attempts in 2018, Rosas connected on only 70.6% of his attempts in 2019.

Pending free agent quarterback, Eli Manning retired.

Philadelphia Eagles

Biggest free agent- Ronald Darby CB (UFA)

Besides Dallas, Philadelphia could face the heaviest losses in free agency this year. Unlike Dallas, most of Philadelphiaโ€™s free agents are low-end starters and role players. None of the teamโ€™s UFAs are superstars. Darby, who the Eagles signed to a one-year, $6.5 deal last spring, is the teamโ€™s biggest free agent.

Philadelphiaโ€™s cornerback positions are unstable. Every year Darby and his fellow corners, like UFA Jalen Mills, suffer injuries that cost them large chunks of the season. The Eagles try to duct tape Darby and Mills back together, but neither can stay healthy, and they are both inconsistent. Philadelphia might be better off blowing up the cornerback position and starting from scratch.

Rodney McLeod marks Philadelphiaโ€™s third starting defensive back entering free agency this spring. McLeod started all 16 games for the Eagles in 2019, contributing 74 tackles, two interceptions, and six passes defensed. While it seems unlikely that the Eagles will hold onto all three defensive backs, the team will probably bring one or two back.

Sticking with the defensive side of the ball, the Eagles could also lose Vinny Curry, Timmy Jernigan, and Hassan Ridgeway. All three are UFAs. Curry, who the Eagles originally drafted in 2012, finished third on the team in sacks (five) and quarterback hits (12).

Jernigan and Ridgeway dealt with injuries this past season. Jernigan appeared in ten games, contributing two sacks and ten tackles. Since missing 13 games in 2018, Jernigan lacks his usual motor, and his impact is decreasing. Ridgeway also recorded two sacks in 2019, making seven appearances and five starts.

Four significant offensive players could leave Philadelphia in free agency. Nelson Agholor, Jordan Howard, Jason Peters, and Halapoulivaati Vaitai need new contracts. Far past his prime, Peters might retire instead of leaving the Eagles. The 38-year-old, nine-time Pro Bowl left tackle joined Philadelphia in 2009. He started 13 games in 2019.

Eagles fans may not miss Agholor. The former first round pick is notorious for dropping passes. In five seasons and 62 starts with the Eagles, Agholor produced 224 receptions, 2,515 receiving yards, and 18 receiving touchdowns.

Philadelphia may not want Howard or Vaitai to leave. As far as backup tackles go, Vaitai is a stellar player to fall back on in the case of an injury. Did you know that the Eagles are injury-prone? With Peters moving on, Andre Dillard still developing, and Lane Johnson coming off of another injury-shortened season, the Eagles may want to keep Vaitai around.

Speaking of injury-prone players, Howard appeared in ten games for Philadelphia, but he missed the second half of the regular season. The former Pro Bowler took a back seat to Miles Sanders, who more than doubled Howardโ€™s yards from scrimmage. Losing Howard wouldnโ€™t be a death blow, but Philadelphia would need to look elsewhere for running back depth.

The Eagles hold a team option for linebacker Nigel Bradham. If the Eagles opt in, Bradhamโ€™s cap hit will more than double between 2019 and 2020. The 30-year-old veteran amassed 348 tackles over the past four seasons. In terms of production, Philadelphia wants Bradham back, but the veteranโ€™s cap hit may be too much to stomach.

Washington Redskins

Biggest free agent- Brandon Scherff G (UFA)

Washingtonโ€™s in-house free agency period primarily concerns the offense. After five seasons, Scherffโ€™s rookie contract is up. The fifth overall pick in the 2015 draft, Scherff made the third Pro Bowl of his career in 2019.

While Scherff is an incredible player when heโ€™s healthy, injuries are never far behind. Scherff finished the 2018 and 2019 seasons on injured reserve (IR). After starting all 32 games on his first two seasons, Scherff missed 15 games over the past three years. His upside will still warrant a massive contract in free agency.

Besides Scherff, Washington could lose two more offensive linemen. Ereck Flowers, a former top-ten pick by the Giants, started all 16 games for Washington this past season. Flowers signed a one-year, $3.25 million contract with the Redskins last offseason, and he primarily played guard for them. Flowers is replaceable, but he would also be a cheap player to re-sign.

Donald Pennโ€™s contract with Washington is also expiring. The former Pro Bowl left tackle signed a one-year deal worth just over two million dollars in late July. Penn played in place of seven-time Pro Bowler, Trent Williams. Williams held out for the entire season, citing issues between himself and the organization. Williamsโ€™ deal runs through 2020.

Vernon Davis, Case Keenum, Colt McCoy, and Chris Thompson are all also UFAs. Davis played a significant role in Washingtonโ€™s offense since 2016, but he only appeared in four games this past season before landing on IR.

Keenum and McCoy both started games for the Redskins in 2019. Keenum started six of the teamโ€™s first seven games before Dwayne Haskins took over the starting role. McCoy started in Week 5 but performed poorly. The former Texas star also started two games with Washington in 2018.

Thompson, who joined the Redskins in 2013, carved out a role for himself on the team as a dual-threat running back. He tallied 2,927 yards from scrimmage over the past five seasons.

On defense, Jonathan Bostic is trending toward free agency yet again. Washington is Bosticโ€™s fifth team in as many years. He set a career-high with 105 tackles this season.

The Redskins tried shifting their focus at running back to Derrius Guice this past season, but Guice proved incapable of staying healthy. He only appeared in five games. Guiceโ€™s injury history will play a role in the team deciding on whether they will pick up Adrian Petersonโ€™s team option for 2020. In 15 games this past season, Peterson tallied 898 rushing yards and 1,040 yards from scrimmage.

Billboard Left
Billboard Left
Read Also
Esteban de Jesus, Roberto Duran y AIDS (1972-89)
Many of us dream of celebrity sports fame, but only cruel individuals ...
Grading every NFL teamโ€™s picks from the 2021 NFL Draft
Quickly, click away if youโ€™re going to get upset by reading draft ...
BetMGM Promo
Grading every first-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft
The first-round of the 2021 NFL Draft is over. Months of speculation ...
Sam Teets 2021 NFL three-round predictive mock draft 6.0
This is a predictive NFL mock draft and my final of the ...
Every NFL teamโ€™s best player not in the Pro Football Hall of Fame- NFC East
The Pro Football Hall of Fame houses the greatest players in NFL ...
Sam Teets 2021 NFL mock draft 4.0- Free agency shakes things up
Despite the salary cap dropping to $182.5 million, the start of NFL ...
Top 100 remaining 2021 NFL free agents after Day 1
This is the most up-to-date list of available NFL free agents following ...
Predicting the next five Pro Football Hall of Fame classes
Induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio is ...
Ranking the top 200 players in the NFL ahead of the 2021 season
This list isnโ€™t based solely on performances from the 2020 NFL season. ...
Sportsbook of the month
PointsBet - Get your Bonus Bet now! Get your Bonus Bet now!
Latest News
Canelo Alvarez vs. Jermell Charlo:ย Canโ€™t Knock The Hustleย 
Canelo Alvarez and Jermell Charlo put it all ...
Was the 1918 World Series Between the Red Sox and Cubs Fixed?
Everybody knows about the 1919 World Series and ...
Our Latest YouTube Videos
Video: College Football Prediction show: Notre Dame vs Duke Preview and prediction!
College Football Prediction show: Notre Dame vs Duke Preview and prediction!
Video: Cincinnati Bearcats on the Prowl: Cincinnati vs BYU Preview and Oklahoma recap
Cincinnati Bearcats on the Prowl: Cincinnati vs BYU Preview and Oklahoma recap
Video: NFL Best Betting Show: Picking all Week 4 games againt the Spread!
NFL Best Betting Show: Picking all Week 4 games againt the Spread!
Betting Tips
09/30/2023 - 11:30 am
Mohegan Sun Arena
Tip:
Sun to win from 2-0
-120.00
FanDuel
09/30/2023 - 12:00 pm
Texas Memorial Stadium
Tip:
Kansas to Cover
16.50
FanDuel
09/30/2023 - 12:00 pm
Kroger Field
Tip:
Kentucky to Cover
-1.50
FanDuel
Sportsbook of the month
PointsBet - Get your Bonus Bet now! Get your Bonus Bet now!
Top Betting Sites
Top Betting Bonuses
BetMGM
BetMGM
BetMGM Review
4.6/5
Bet365
Bet365
Bet365 Review
4.6/5
Caesars
Caesars
Caesars Review
4.5/5
PointsBet
PointsBet
PointsBet Review
4.5/5
BetRivers.com
BetRivers.com
BetRivers.com Review
4.5/5
BetMGM
BetMGM Bonus
up to $1,500 back in Bonus Bets
T&Cs apply
4.6/5
Bet365
Bet365 Bonus
Bet $1 & Get $365 in Bonus Bets
T&Cs apply
4.6/5
Bet $1 and Get $365in Bonus Bets at bet365. Deposit required. Bonus Bets winnings are added to Bonus Bets balance. Bonus Bet wager excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler 21+
PointsBet
PointsBet Bonus
5 x $50Bet Credits
T&Cs apply
4.5/5
BetRivers.com
BetRivers.com Bonus
100% up to $500
T&Cs apply
4.5/5
Unibet
Unibet Bonus
$100 Second Chance Bet
T&Cs apply
4.5/5
21+ and physically present in VA only. Terms & Conditions apply. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, please call, text or chat, VA Council on Problem Gambling on their confidential and toll free helpline at: 1-888-532-3500.
Our Team
Mike GoodpasterAuthor IconJosh SchwartzSamuel TeetsSimon Briffa
+8
Mike Goodpaster
Mike Goodpaster
Chief Editor
Author Icon
Christopher Carlson
Content Writer
Josh Schwartz
Josh Schwartz
Editor
Samuel Teets
Samuel Teets
US Sports Veteran
Simon Briffa
Simon Briffa
Sports Editor
Mark Lewis
Mark Lewis
Editor
Chris Benedict
Chris Benedict
Editor
Author Icon
Daniel Kornhauser
Author
Author Icon
Malik Zorrok
Author
John Raspanti
John Raspanti
Author
Author Icon
Buddy Gibbs
Author
Brian Coburn
Brian Coburn
Author
Peter Bonahoom
Peter Bonahoom
Author
Find out what the legends have to say about sports this week....

If you enjoy hearing from the legends of pro sports, then be sure to tune into โ€œThe Grueling Truthโ€ sports shows, โ€œWhere the legends speakโ€

Contact us: contact@thegruelingtruth.com

Players must be 21 years of age or older or reach the minimum age for gambling in their respective state and located in jurisdictions where online gambling is legal. Please play responsibly. Bet with your head, not over it. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, and wants help, call or visit: (a) the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey at 1-800-Gambler or www.800gambler.org; or (b) Gamblers Anonymous at 855-2-CALL-GA or www.gamblersanonymous.org.

This site is using Cloudflare and adheres to the Google Safe Browsing Program. We adapted Google's Privacy Guidelines to keep your data safe at all times.

21+NCPG
Move to Top
Close
Players accepted in the US US Flag
Stake.us Exclusive Bonus
$25 No Deposit + 250,000 Gold Coins + 5% Rakeback
Promo Code
Copy
Visit Site
T&Cs apply, 18+
Payment Methods
Bitcoin
Litecoin
Ethereum
Dogecoin
Highlights
  • Exclusive promo code: TGTSOCIAL
  • Play Plinko, Hilo, Crash and more!
  • Get Stake Cash bonuses every day!
Stake Originals
Dice
Crash
Plinko
Mines
×
Your Promo Code:
The bonus offer of was already opened in an additional window. If not, you can open it also by clicking the following link:
Visit Site