[2023] Division Preview: NFC East

[Piercewise1]

Welcome to part 2 of this ongoing series. Today we cross to the NFC and look at the only division that landed 3 teams in the playoffs last year - the NFC East!

NFC EAST

Team: Washington Commanders
Last Year: 16-1 (Super Bowl champion)

Additions:

WR Matthew Madden (86, 7)
QB Jose Padilla (83, 9)
OG Ernest Arellano (79, 10)
C Scott Bianchi (76, 7)

Departures:

QB Jan Miles (74, 10)
OT Edward Shea (77, 9)
OT Ron Cabbage (77, 😎
WR Rafael Rosario (68, 3)

Key Progressions:

OLB Karl Rosania +6 (81, 5)
OG Jorge Ledezma +5 (75, 5)
DE Bryan Ludi -3 (85, 9)
ILB Patrick Cannady -3 (72, 11)
FS Joseph Frank -3 (72, 11)

Rookie to Watch:

Anthony Fulmer (by default)

Overview:

The Commanders were wheeling and dealing all offseason, moving picks and players around as they prepared to defend their title. They swapped QBs with a division rival, traded away both starting tackles and most of their 2023 picks, and brought in some new (if not young) blood with stars like Matthew Madden. Currently they have 22 players with a 72+ OVR (9 offense, 12 (!) defense, 1 special teams), and they might not even be done.

Strengths:

Wide receiver
Defensive line

Weaknesses:

Offensive tackle

Outlook:

Washington looks every bit the reigning champion, and their administration has spared no effort to keep it that way. Their window might not be open for much longer, but they’ve built a squad that’s ready to win now and can do so even amid the conference’s toughest division. The have one trophy in the case already – could another be close behind?

 

Team: Philadelphia Eagles
Last Year: 10-7 (wild card)

Additions:

C Randy Harrell (71, 5)

Departures:

N/A

Key Progressions:

FS Leonard Vaughn +5 (80, 4)
TE Matthew Lee +5 (74, 5)
OLB Mark Soto +4 (63, 2)
OT Kenneth Draper -3 (81, 11)
WR Enrique Nunes -3 (75, 10)

Rookie to Watch:

ILB Christian Palardy

Overview:

The Pool party continues in Philly, as the scrambler looks poised to take the 2023 season by storm. He has no shortage of weapons in WR Gilberto Silva (84), WR Enrique Nunes (75), and TE Matthew Lee (74), and he’s joined in the backfield by Power back Greg Lemay (86). The defense has its share of stars, but the real story is the development of young draft picks. Guys like Mark Soto, Ryan Reininger, and Christian Palardy represent the future of the Eagles’ defense, working alongside a corps of established veterans.

Strengths:

Offensive skill (RB/WR/TE)
Defensive secondary

Weaknesses:

Defensive end
Inside linebacker

Outlook:

The Scrambler buffs should do wonders for Philly’s offense, allowing them to go score-for-score with the rest of the league. But while the fans cheer on the offense, scouts’ eyes will be on this young defense to see how big of an impact these first- and second-year players can make. Reininger was a huge success story last year; if the young LBs prove to be equally apt students, this team will be tough to handle.

 

Team: New York Giants
Last Year: 9-8 (wild card)

Additions:

QB Jan Miles (74, 10)
OT Edward Shea (77, 9)

Departures:

QB Jose Padilla (83, 9)

Key Progressions:

RB Joseph Cale +4 (74, 5)
OT Bruce Allen +5 (60, 2)
SS Matt Bass +6 (63, 2)
QB Jan Miles -4 (74, 10)
TE Damien Boone -4 (72, 12)

Rookie to Watch:

OT Richard Plutko
QB Wilfredo Joseph

Overview:

The quarterback position has been a roller coaster for Giants fans. First, a tradecest QB swap that brought in a Super Bowl winner (and his blindside blocker) from Washington; next, a 2^nd round pick spent on Wilfredo Joseph. The scrambler from New Mexico State will steal the focus during preseason, but don’t overlook the team’s revamped offensive line (which added Shea to the best pair of guards in the league) or its excellent secondary.

Strengths:

Offensive guard
Cornerback

Weaknesses:

Defensive end
Inside linebacker

Outlook:

The selection of Joseph indicates that a changing of the guard might be on the way, and the timing looks right. On paper the Giants’ roster is 4^th in the division and 10^th in the conference, and their average experience of 5.3 years is the 8^th oldest in the league. They have the talent to compete but a return to the playoffs might be unrealistic, especially in the NFC’s toughest division.

 

Team: Dallas Cowboys
Last Year: 8-9 (4^th in division)

Additions:

WR Edwin Chabolla (79, 6)
RB Bruno Hanson (76, 7)

Departures:

N/A

Key Progressions:

WR Christopher Lee +5 (85, 5)
OG Thomas Jordan +5 (75, 5)
DT Elliott Grossman +6 (75, 5)
DT Eric Simon +5 (73, 5)
CB Amara Rodriguez +7 (65, 2)

Rookie to Watch:

WR Alex Henderson

Overview:

In contrast to the Giants, the Cowboys have one of the youngest rosters in the league; they also enjoyed the largest progression boost of any team (no I’m not suspicious, why would I be suspicious?). Dallas’ players improved by an average of 3.16 points, and second-year cornerback Amara Rodriguez was one of only four players in the entire league to go +7. The offense now boasts nine starters of 75+ OVR, including the league’s highest-rated quarterback and 2^nd highest receiver.

Strengths:

Quarterback
Wide receiver

Weaknesses:

Defensive end
Inside linebacker

Outlook:

Similar to their rivals in Philly, the Cowboys have a prolific offense and an up-and-coming defense. They’ve spent an especially large amount of draft capital on cornerbacks, and when you look around the division it’s easy to see why. If that defense can gel into a cohesive unit, this team should compete for a postseason spot. And if it doesn't, well... their games should at least be entertaining to watch! Starting with week 1, when they open the season in Washington on Thursday night for the NFL Kickoff. 

[Rocketcan]