NFC East Notes: Cowboys, Eagles, Giants, Redskins

Cowboys

• Michael Gehlken writes that the linebacker position is the “more intriguing” option to watch for the Cowboys in the 2020 NFL Draft. 
• Gehlken mentions that Cowboys DC Mike Nolan ran a position drill for Colorado LB Davion Taylor at his Pro Day on March 11. However, Gehlken believes Taylor is unlikely to reach Dallas with their fourth-round pick. 
• Despite Michigan C Cesar Ruiz being mentioned as an option in a trade-down for Dallas, ESPN’s Todd Archer believes the Cowboys are too confident in their depth to take Ruiz even after the retirement of Travis Frederick.
• Archer says Cowboys C Joe Looney has starting experience and they drafted Connor McGovern in the third round last year in part because of his experience playing center.
• He adds Dallas will have to stop spending first-round picks on the offensive line at some point as well and balance out their allocation of assets. 
• LSU DE K’Lavon Chaisson, Florida CB C.J. Henderson, Clemson CB A.J. Terrell, Alabama S Xavier McKinney and Oklahoma LB Kenneth Murray are options for Dallas at No. 17. (Archer)
• Archer adds if Dallas trades back, McKinney, Murray and Terrell would still be options along with Penn State DE Yetur Gross-Matos.

Eagles

• According to Adam Caplan, Arizona State WR Brandon Aiyuk and TCU WR Jalen Reagor are in the conversation for the Eagles in the first round, with Reagor’s speed giving him a leg up. 
• ESPN’s Rich Cimini mentions unconfirmed rumors about the Jets swapping the No. 11 pick with the Eagles for their No. 21 pick and CB Rasul Douglas.
• Pro Football Network’s Tony Pauline says that while Philadelphia is strongly considering drafting a wide receiver in the first round tonight, even trading up for Alabama WR Henry Ruggs III, sources says the Eagles are 50/50 on a receiver or a defensive player like a linebacker or cornerback. 
• NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero reports Wyoming LB Logan Wilson, who got an early jump on the pre-draft process prior to COVID-19 regulations, visited the Eagles earlier this offseason. 
• Former Eagles RB Corey Clement tells ABC’s Jeff Skversky he got medical clearance on his shoulder Monday and is discussing a potential return to Philadelphia. 

Giants

• CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora says he’s had several general managers raise the possibility of Jacksonville trading up with the Giants to get to No. 4 overall. 
• However, when he last checked ESPN’s Jordan Raanan said that didn’t seem like that was likely.
• Yahoo Sports’ Charles Robinson says his sense is the Giants are deciding between Iowa OT Tristan Wirfs and Alabama OT Jedrick Wills. The new coaching staff has strong Alabama roots but Robinson says Wirfs blew the team away at the Combine. Both are seen as tackles. 
• Per NJ.com’s Matt Lombardo, another NFL general manager expects Giants GM Dave Gettleman to surprise people tonight: “If I know Dave Gettleman, he’s very tight-lipped. I’m fully expecting him to take someone nobody expected him to.”
• While Gettleman has never moved down as a GM, most believe he’s been trying hard to do that this year with no luck so far per one executive: “Dave’s desperately trying to trade down. But, no one is biting.”
• The Giants have been consistently linked to a tackle but that’s why one league insider thinks they’ll do something else: “The Giants do everything you think they’re not going to do. I think a lot of people are linking them to Tristan Wirfs, so that makes me think they aren’t going to take him.”
• The presence of new HC Joe Judge and his ties to the Patriots adds another wrinkle, according to an agent: “Joe Judge comes from the Patriots … He loves creating deception like this.”
• If the Giants forego a tackle, league insiders point to Auburn DT Derrick Brown or Clemson LB Isaiah Simmons as potential options for New YOrk. 
• NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero reports Wyoming LB Logan Wilson, who got an early jump on the pre-draft process prior to COVID-19 regulations, had in-person meetings with the Giants among other teams.
• Giants DL Leonard Williams is filing a grievance to be classified as a defensive end, not a defensive tackle, under the franchise tag, which would be a difference of about $1.8 million. (Dan Duggan)
• Williams also has a similar grievance filed against the Jets after they classified him as a defensive tackle on his fifth-year option. That would change his 2020 base salary from $11.4 million to $14.2 million. 
• That would also trickle over to the Giants, as the franchise tag is based on his base salary, giving him $17.1 million even if he loses the second grievance. 

Redskins

• Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer writes that since the Redskins don’t have a second-round pick, that might be enough to convince them to part with LT Trent Williams tomorrow for a team that doesn’t grab a tackle in the first round tonight. 
• However, CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones believes a third-round pick would get the job done and Washington may even have to settle for a fourth, as they might be left without a trade partner after this weekend.