NFC East free agency preview: Big changes loom in Dallas, Philadelphia
A snapshot of each team's roster and considerations heading into free agency, which officially begins March 10 at 4 p.m. ET:
DALLAS COWBOYS
Prominent free agents: WR Dez Bryant (franchise tag), OLB Bruce Carter, FB Tyler Clutts, OLB Justin Durant, WR Dwayne Harris, DT Nick Hayden, DT Henry Melton, MLB Rolando McClain, CB Sterling Moore, RB DeMarco Murray, T Jeremy Parnell, DE George Selvie, DE Anthony Spencer, S/ST C.J. Spillman
Issues: Challenges aplenty. The franchise tag presumably brings Bryant back, but an extension would make him happier and theoretically loosen a tight cap. Dallas badly wants to re-sign rushing champ Murray, but at what cost financially and at the expense of whom? And though MLB Sean Lee is on the way back from an ACL tear, he'll be stepping into a virtually empty linebacking corps.
VIDEO: Why Dez Bryant should stay with the Cowboys
Our advice: Owner Jerry Jones can get some relief by cutting underperforming CB Brandon Carr's bloated salary or his roster spot. But even if Jones finds more funds courtesy of other restructurings, he will likely have to be creative (or cheap) with his defensive front seven. Dallas did manage to re-sign RT Doug Free, but keeping Murray is probably a pipe dream and perhaps even unwise given the other needs.
NEW YORK GIANTS
Prominent free agents: CB Zack Bowman, S Stevie Brown, KR/S Quintin Demps, TE Daniel Fells, MLB Mark Herzlich, RB Peyton Hillis (released), FB Henry Hynoski, WR Jerrel Jernigan, G John Jerry, DE Mathias Kiwanuka (released), RB Chris Ogbonnaya, DT Mike Patterson, OLB Spencer Paysinger, DE Jason Pierre-Paul (franchise tag), S Antrel Rolle, G Adam Snyder, CB Walter Thurmond, C J.D. Walton (released), OLB Jacquian Williams
Issues: The Giants were big spenders in free agency last year but didn't get the desired results in the win column. GM Jerry Reese, who prefers to address needs by signing veterans and focus on pure talent in the draft, has been busy clearing out dead weight in recent weeks and could find more money by restructuring players like MLB Jon Beason. Reese has issues on his offensive line and throughout the defense, notably at safety. QB Eli Manning is entering the final year of his contract.
Our advice: With the expectation that Manning will stick around and the long-term consideration that must be given to Pierre-Paul, Reese will probably have to be more thrifty this year. Given the leadership he provides and need on the back end, Rolle is worth re-signing for a year or two. Otherwise, Reese should probably investigate short-term investments to block for Manning and maybe a vet like DE Kroy Biermann to amp the pass rush depth coordinator Steve Spagnuolo favors.
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
Prominent free agents: S Nate Allen, TE James Casey (released), OLB Trent Cole (released), CB Bradley Fletcher, OLB Brandon Graham, G Todd Herremans (released), WR Jeremy Maclin, ILB Casey Matthews, QB Mark Sanchez, KR/WR Brad Smith, CB Cary Williams (released)
VIDEO: Why Jeremy Maclin should stay with the Eagles
Issues: Only one thing is assured — now that Chip Kelly has claimed total control of personnel, he's going to do things his way regardless of popular opinion and maybe even the ones inside his locker room. Kelly has taken a sledgehammer to the roster, and the pending trade of RB LeSean McCoy for Bills LB Kiko Alonso might create additional cap space if LB DeMeco Ryans, who will presumably lose his starting role to Alonso, is cast off. The Eagles only have a few questions heading into next week, namely who will be throwing, catching and running the ball? But Kelly could have $50 million to play with by that time.
Our advice: At this point, it would almost be an upset if Kelly doesn't acquire Oregon's Marcus Mariota by draft day. Otherwise, he's not going to find a better option than incumbent QB Nick Foles in free agency. A year after releasing WR DeSean Jackson, it's rather surprising the Eagles didn't lock up Maclin. It's worth wondering if Kelly would stick his neck out for players like Ray Rice and Greg Hardy to fill other gaps. He'll definitely need to earmark some of his cap windfall for a pass rusher (Brian Orakpo?, Jason Worilds?) and probably two corners, with the Seahawks' Byron Maxwell a logical target.
WASHINGTON REDSKINS
Prominent free agents: S E.J. Biggers, DE Stephen Bowen (released), DL Barry Cofield (released), WR Leonard Hankerson, RB Roy Helu, DL Jarvis Jenkins, QB Colt McCoy, S Brandon Meriweather, WR Santana Moss, NT Chris Neild, OLB Brian Orakpo, RT Tyler Polumbus
Issues: New GM Scot McCloughan has already gotten his hands dirty, dumping Bowen and Cofield while adding Ricky Jean-Francois to the D-Line. But problems galore exist in the secondary while right tackle remains a swinging gate. LT Trent Williams and OLB Ryan Kerrigan, cornerstone talents, could be free agents in 2016.
Our advice: No matter who's under center for this team in the future, locking up Williams is a must, and McCloughan values his linemen. The Redskins should consider making a run at Bryan Bulaga to finally solidify the tackle spot on the other side. CB DeAngelo Hall will be 32 this season and is coming off an Achilles tear. Might be best to cut the cord with him now and reinvest the savings to pursue players like CB Chris Culliver and/or S Devin McCourty, who could address a position that won't be easily filled by a weak draft class at safety.
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