The NFC East was surprisingly won by the Washington Redskins this past season. After two questionable coaching hires the division doesn’t figure to have much clarity thus far. Without further ado let’s take a look at what I think each team in the division should do during free agency.
- Washington Redskins, 2015 record (10-6)
Key Free Agents: Alfred Morris, Mason Foster, Junior Gallete, Colt McCoy, Terrence Knighton
If I had said a year ago the Washington Redskins were going to win the NFC East you would have laughed in my face. Now you figure this team figures to be favorites to do it again. The Skins will have about 10 million in cap space once Robert Griffin III is released. After the season Matt Jones had for Washington; Alfred Morris, the teams biggest free agent name, figures to head elsewhere. The team will also have to make a decision on DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon who will create sizable cap space if they were to be cut. The secondary is probably the biggest area of need.
- Philadelphia Eagles, 2015 record (7-9)
Key Free Agents: Walter Thurmond
The team wasted a lot of money in free agency a year ago on DeMarco Murray and Byron Maxwell. This year the team will have about 18.5 million to work with once Sam Bradford’s extension is official. Trading DeMarco Murray would create another 4 million in cap space if Philly decided to go that route. Outside of that I would look to deal Mark Sanchez as well creating another 4.5 million in cap room. Chase Daniel and or Nick Foles figure to be targets as back up quarterbacks this season. Again the secondary is a huge concern with this team moving forward.
- New York Giants, 2015 record (6-10)
Key Free Agents: Josh Brown, Cullen Jenkins, Barry Cofield, Robert Ayers, Jason Pierre-Paul, Rueben Randle, Brad Wing
The Giants figure to be big players in free agency having a little over 55 million to work with. There figures to be a big focus on the defensive side of the ball as well as figure out a way to retain a number of their free agents. On offense the team could also look for a running mate next to Odell Beckham.
- Dallas Cowboys, 2015 record (4-12)
Key Free Agents: Matt Cassel, Jeremy Mincey, Greg Hardy, Nick Hayden, Rolando McClain
Dallas has about 12 million to work with in free agency. Releasing Brandon Carr would give them an additional 6 million in cap space. Releasing Barry Church would give them another 4 million as he has been an overpaid special teams guy at this point. Dallas figures to improve at runningback, wide receiver, and the defense as a whole. This is a possible RG3 destination as well.
*All salary cap numbers are courtesy of overthecap.com
