NFL free agency kicks off at 4:00 p.m. on March 9, and in the lead-up Sportsnet is looking at one division a day to assess areas of need and players who could be on the move. Today, the NFC East.
DALLAS COWBOYS
Biggest needs: CB, S, DE
Aside from adding depth, the Cowboys look to be set on the offensive side, with two studs at quarterback and running back teamed with one of the best offensive lines in football. January’s 34-31 playoff loss to Green Bay is surely still fresh in their minds, so Dallas could focus on solidifying its defence in an off-season that offers plenty of options in both the draft and free agency.
Biggest potential loss: Most of the secondary
The Cowboys could lose three-quarters of their starting defensive backfield to free agency in Barry Church, Brandon Carr and Morris Claiborne. Luckily, this year’s draft is one of the deepest in recent memory in that area. But that said, adding a group of rookies isn’t going work for Jerry Jones every time (is it?), so Dallas should look to free agency for help.
Potential target: Tony Jefferson, S
The Arizona Cardinals’ leading tackler last season, Jefferson could step into the Cowboys secondary and make an immediate impact. The former undrafted free agent is among the best at the strong safety position against both the run and pass games. At just 25, and coming off the best season of his four-year career, Jefferson seems like an obvious target for Jones and Jason Garrett.
NEW YORK GIANTS
Biggest needs: OL, LB, DL, WR
Both of the Giants’ starting tackles — Ereck Flowers and Bobby Hart — struggled in pass protection last season, and with Eli Manning now 36, protecting the quarterback should be a major priority for the team. In fact, it will be key to New York’s success next season.
Biggest potential loss: Johnathan Hankins, DT
The six-foot-two, 320-pound Hankins started all 16 games for the Giants’ second-ranked defence last season, racking up 43 tackles and three sacks while playing a crucial role on one of the league’s best run-stopping units. With the franchise tag on Jason Pierre-Paul, the Giants would be smart to bring back another of their important defensive lineman.
Potential target: Andrew Whitworth, T
At No. 23, the Giants could take a tackle in the first round of April’s draft and hope he has an immediate impact. However, the much safer option would be Whitworth, who has spent the last 11 seasons in Cincinnati as one of the most dependable left tackles in all of football. Should Whitworth move on from the Bengals, Giants GM Jerry Reese should make the 35-year-old a top priority.
WASHINGTON REDSKINS
Biggest needs: WR, DL, S
Assuming Kirk Cousins is still in Washington next season, GM Scot McCloughan is going to need to get his quarterback some new receivers for the team to make the leap to the playoffs. Both DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garçon appear set to hit the market, which means Washington may have to replace its top two 2016 receiving options over the next couple of months.
Biggest potential loss: DeSean Jackson/Pierre Garçon, WRs
Jackson and Garçon both surpassed 1,000 receiving yards last season, and together accounted for seven of Cousins’ 25 passing touchdowns. It’s possible one of them returns next year, but it’s unlikely both will. Should Jackson and Garçon both depart, McCloughan will be forced to make a move.
Potential target: Alshon Jeffery, WR
Washington pick at No. 17 in the draft, and after John Ross’s record-breaking 40-yard dash over the weekend, it’s possible the top three receivers will already be off the board when Washington is on the clock. Plus, the Redskins would be smart to target either a defensive lineman or safety in a defence-heavy draft. That’s why Jeffery could make sense for Washington at the right price. He’s a big target for Cousins (or whomever is at QB) and has potential to do damage himself, or create opportunities for Jamison Crowder and Jordan Reed.
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
Biggest needs: CB, RB, WR
The top priority for the Eagles this off-season should be finding weapons for Carson Wentz’s sophomore season. Philadelphia’s lack of playmakers became painfully obvious during the middle part of last season, and the team need to add at wide receiver and running back despite a lack of true game-changers in this free-agent class. More fruitful for the Eagles, may be the search to rebuild at the cornerback position with good options in the draft and on the open market.
Biggest potential loss: Bennie Logan, DT
The Eagles fielded one of the league’s better defensive tackle tandems last season in Logan and Fletcher Cox, and the LSU alumnus will leave a big hole in Jim Schwartz’s unit, literally. At six-foot-two, 315 pounds, Logan will immediately improve the run defence of any team he plays for next season — but it sounds like that team won’t be the Eagles.
Potential target: A.J. Bouye, CB
The Eagles are in desperate need of a rebuild in the secondary, and signing Bouye would be a great start. At just 25 years old, Bouye will likely play his best years for the team that wins his services. The draft is loaded with talented cornerbacks the Eagles could target. The addition of Bouye plus some smart selections in April would go a long way in rebuilding a position that has been notably inconsistent in Philadelphia since the days of Lito Sheppard and Sheldon Brown.
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