NFC East Notes: Cowboys, Eagles, Giants

Cowboys

Dallas has known since last offseason that it would have a number of major free-agent decisions in 2020, with Cowboys QB Dak Prescott, WR Amari Cooper and Byron Jones — among others — all on expiring deals. Prescott and Cooper have been named as the top two priorities, but the nature of the salary cap in the NFL means that Dallas might not have the space to fit in other players like Jones. 

“I think it’s going to be a tough deal,” Cowboys VP of player personnel Will McClay said via Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News. “It’s the NFL. You’ve got your quarterback you’ve got to pay. You have a receiver. You have good players. When you have good players, you have to figure out how to pay them or how to survive. So, that’s what we do in the front office is try to figure how to work those contracts and get the best possible team with those guys. We’ve got to go through that whole process.”

“He’s a starting-caliber NFL corner,” McClay said of Jones in particular per Gehlken. “A really good player. We have to figure out his financial value and if it fits for us.”

• Anthony Treash of Pro Football Focus lists Bills DE Shaq Lawson as a potential free-agent target for the Cowboys. 
• Per Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones continued the team’s public commitment to extending Prescott: “We know what our future is there. We’ll keep our head down and keep working on that.”
• Jones said he isn’t opposed to paying a massive salary for Prescott, who should command a deal at or above the current top of the QB market: “It’s always been expensive for quarterbacks. My first one was Troy Aikman and I made him the highest-paid player in the NFL.” (Wilson)
• McClay confirmed what his boss said about Prescott being Dallas’ expected quarterback in 2020: “If the owner/GM says we’re going to get it done, he signs the checks. We’re excited about it and realize the value of him as a player.” (Jori Epstein)
• Cowboys DT Trysten Hill had a rocky rookie season but the team and McClay hope he’ll be able to continue to grow in 2020: “I think he’s going to be better this year than he was last year. …He has all of the talent.” (Gehlken)
• McClay told reporters the Cowboys don’t see themselves as having a dire need at safety: “It’s a developing position. I don’t think we’re the greatest. I don’t think we’re the worst. We want to try and continue to improve that spot, just like every other spot.” (Gehlken)

Eagles

The Eagles traded up to take OT Andre Dillard in the first round with the goal of grooming him to be their left tackle of the future. With future Hall of Famer Jason Peters back for another year, Dillard was able to ease into the NFL, seeing action in most of Philadelphia’s games and even starting four games when Peters was injured. With Peters likely to move on, Dillard feels prepared to take over in 2020. 

“I’m really glad I got those chances because that was what I was brought in to do in the future,” Dillard said via Olivia Schaller of the team website. “It helped me get my feet wet a little bit and it really helped me gauge what it’s like being out there on the big stage.”

• According to Pro Football Network’s Tony Pauline, the Eagles plan to aggressively pursue a cornerback in free agency, with Cowboys CB Byron Jones and Broncos CB Chris Harris the top two mentioned in league circles. 
• Anthony Treash of Pro Football Focus lists Vikings S Anthony Harris as a potential free-agent target for the Eagles. 
• Per Jimmy Kempski of the Philly Voice, former NFL GM Scot McCloughan is working as a consultant for the Eagles front office and has been for the past three seasons. 
• The Eagles will interview Browns secondary coach DeWayne Walker for the same position. (Jason La Canfora)

Giants

Cowboys executive Stephen Jones believes Giants’ new offensive coordinator Jason Garrett will help New York “get on the road to where they want to go.”

“Jason is a football guy. He wants to go coach. He’s a great offensive mind. They got a good one in Coach Garrett…He was nothing but a class act here. I know he’ll certainly help the Giants get on the road to where they want to go,” said Jones, via Jon Machota. 

• Bruce Feldman reports that the Giants are expected to hire former Browns’ offensive assistant Jody Wright to their staff. 
• Anthony Treash of Pro Football Focus lists Patriots S Devin McCourty as a potential free-agent target for the Giants.