NFC East Notes: Cowboys, Eagles, Giants, Redskins

Cowboys

The Cowboys and QB Dak Prescott have been working on a new contract since last year and still don’t appear to be close to a long-term deal. However, that doesn’t mean Prescott is headed elsewhere. Dallas has been explicitly clear they believe in him as a franchise quarterback and think of him as vital a member of the team as any member of the Jones family. 

“There’s no going forward without Stephen or one of your family members,” Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said via the Athletic’s Jon Machota, “so you got to get it figured out … Of course we’re going to keep his rights. It’s not a sensitive thing. There’s already been more put on the table to show that we’re going to do everything it takes. When you start talking about this kind of money, the top end of it is not an indication of how you feel. It’s pretty hard to deny you’re interested if you’re willing to pay $100 but not willing to pay $101. You’re interested and trying to act right. It’s just a question of getting it done.”

• Per 105.3 The Fan’s Bryan Broaddus, there are people in the Cowboys’ organization who think WR Amari Cooper‘s level of “desire” doesn’t mesh with the idea of paying him $20 million a year or even $16-$18 million. 
• The Athletic’s Dane Brugler says cornerback makes a lot of sense for the Cowboys in the first round, as they should be able to get the second-best one in the class at No. 17. Brugler likes Florida CB C.J. Henderson. 
• If Dallas isn’t able to retain Cooper, Brugler adds that Alabama WR Henry Ruggs III would make a ton of sense if he’s still available. 

Eagles

• The Athletic’s Zach Berman writes to keep an eye on the Eagles’ backup quarterback position, as HC Doug Pederson was less effusive in his comments on current backup QB Nate Sudfeld, saying he’s “put himself in position to compete and possibly be the No. 2.” 
• Berman thinks Pederson would prefer a more experienced quarterback as the backup. 
• Berman notes that Eagles GM Howie Roseman seemed to indicate Philadelphia would be cautious acquiring players who had extensive injury histories after being burned on guys like WR DeSean Jackson and CB Ronald Darby last year: “I think that what we learned from the past couple of years is that hope isn’t a strategy.”
• Ralph Vacchiano of SNY writes that his sources expect the Eagles to sign Cowboys CB Byron Jones in free agency. 
• The Eagles will host Lousiana Tech CB Amik Robertson on a top-30 pre-draft visit. (Mike Kaye)

Giants

• Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post writes there will be a fierce debate over Clemson LB Isaiah Simmons in the Giants’ building.
• While new HC Joe Judge values versatility coming over from New England, sources in rival organizations think the Giants front office believes position-less players are too difficult to maximize and the team should find a more stable building block with the No. 4 overall pick. 
• Dunleavy adds the Giants are expected to majorly address cornerback via free agency after not doing so last year. Cowboys CB Byron Jones and Panthers CB James Bradberry are coveted options. 
• Giants LB Markus Golden is expected to test free agency after the departure of DC James Bettcher, who was his biggest advocate in the organization, per Dunleavy. 
• ESPN’s Jordan Raanan writes the Giants are unlikely to be all-in on Seahawks DE Jadeveon Clowney because they are traditionally conservative with medical evaluations. 
• Ranaan points out that trading two second-round picks to the Jaguars for DE Yannick Ngakoue would leave the Giants with just one top-90 pick this year and already leave them short two picks in 2021. 
• Raanan says the Giants might focus more on the middle tier of pass rushers, including Patriots LB Kyle Van Noy and re-signing Golden, who he says New York wants to bring back. 
• Raanan thinks the Giants’ biggest splashes will be at cornerback and linebacker, with Bradberry, Titans CB Logan Ryan and Texans CB Bradley Roby some options. 
• The Giants are looking at the top linebackers, including Rams LB Cory Littleton, Browns LB Joe Schobert and Packers LB Blake Martinez. 
• Other competitors for Littleton, who is expected to sign for $13 million per year, include the Broncos, Saints and Raiders, per Raanan. 
• According to Raanan, the Giants won’t let DL Leonard Williams leave without receiving compensation back, with the transition tag looking like the most likely option if no extension is agreed to. 
• Raanan mentions the Giants are considering moving OL Nick Gates to center. 

Redskins

• While the Redskins don’t have a do-it-all running back like Christian McCaffrey for the new staff of former Panthers coaches to use, Washington executive Kyle Smith is bullish on Redskins RB Derrius Guice‘s ability to contribute in a similar way, per Zach Selby of the team website: “I do believe Derrius Guice has an opportunity. He can do all of those things.”
• Ralph Vacchiano of SNY writes that his sources expect the Redskins to sign Panthers CB James Bradberry in free agency.