NFC East Notes: Cowboys, Eagles, Giants, Redskins

Cowboys

One of the challenges when it comes to team-building in the NFL is getting everyone on the same page when it comes to what they’re looking for in players. When scouts, front office decision-makers and the coaching staff aren’t valuing the same qualities in players, it shows. So Cowboys VP of player personnel Will McClay was thrilled to hear he and new HC Mike McCarthy shared a similar guiding philosophy.

“When he joined the organization and we started talking about players, one of the first things out of his mouth was ‘Players over system,’” McClay said via Jori Epstein of USA Today. “Well, that rung a bell with me right away.”

For McClay, that makes his job easier. He’s the one buying the groceries for the Cowboys, and if McCarthy can make a great meal with a variety of ingredients rather than needing a specific list, that opens up a wider variety of options. 

“They articulate what they’re looking for,” McClay said. “It was a less ‘I want this, I want that, I want that’ approach than ‘OK, what can this guy do? What’s the value for him?’ And if we get him, we’ll have a way to use him.”

• Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News reports the Cowboys are seriously considering moving CB Chidobe Awuzie to safety this season. 
• Dallas might also move LB Jaylon Smith from the middle to the outside while putting Leighton Vander Esch at inside linebacker. 

Eagles

• NJ.com’s Mike Kaye thinks the door is still open for DE Vinny Curry to re-sign with the Eagles as a rotational pass rusher depending on the salary. 
• They could also re-sign RB Corey Clement if he’s able to pass a physical after tearing his labrum last year. 
• Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer says RB J.K. Dobbins and S Jeremy Chinn were two options for the Eagles had they not selected QB Jalen Hurts in the second round.
• The Athletic’s Zach Berman mentions Eagles RB Miles Sanders is entrenched as Philadelphia’s No. 1 back. 
• Berman also thinks the Eagles could look to add a veteran with some experience as a backup tackle. 

Giants

• Neil Stratton reports Giants regional scout Steve Verderosa will not return for the 2020 season after joining the organization in 1988.
• Giants signed DB Jaquarius Landrews, RB Javon Leake, WR Austin Mack and OT Kyle Murphy. (NFLTR)

Redskins

• Ben Standig of The Athletic offers an early projection of the Redskins’ 53-man roster following the draft. 
• Some of the notable roster cuts to watch, per Standig, include: QB Alex Smith, RB Peyton Barber, WR Trey Quinn, WR Cam Sims, TE Richard Rodgers, DE Nate Orchard, DL Cameron Malveaux, CB Simeon Thomas and S Troy Apke
• Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer says he thinks Redskins executive Kyle Smith has cemented a role as HC Ron Rivera‘s top personnel guy after this offseason. 
• Breer adds it’s worth watching to see if Panthers GM Marty Hurney becomes available and wants to join Rivera in Washington. 
• Rivera mentioned he was told the Redskins had a chance to trade LT Trent Williams last year for a first-round pick right before the trade deadline. (Kevin Sheehan)
• Washington eventually traded Williams to the 49ers for a fifth-round pick this year and a third-round pick in 2021: “Because he didn’t play for the year somehow that number changed.” (JP Finlay)
• Rivera said the team was thrilled to get OT Saahdiq Charles but added there are some veteran options Washington is still considering to start at left tackle: “There’s still a couple guys out there that we’ve talked about.”