NFC East Notes: Cowboys, Eagles, Redskins

Cowboys

The Cowboys had two targets in the second round; DT Trysten Hill and S Juan Thornhill. Despite a glaring need at safety, the positional value of a defensive lineman like Hill was too much to pass on for the Cowboys. 

“This game is won up front. It’s a big man’s game,” DC Kris Richard said via the Dallas Morning News’ Jon Machota. “When you’re able to get a player like the one that we got with Trysten, he’s got like generational-type athleticism, just freakish ability in regards to his athleticism. It’s hard to pass on a guy of that nature.”

The Cowboys will be counting on a breakout from third-year S Xavier Woods to offset not spending premium resources on upgrading the position. 

“He’s on the come,” Richard said. “He’s going to be in the second year of our system. He’s really grasped a firm hold of assignment responsibility, of physicality. He was a bell cow for us back there in regards to getting on course and laying heavy on wide receivers and tight ends. And that’s what we’re looking for. Obviously, the next phase is going to be getting the ball. We think that’s just going to come. It’s going to come with time.”

At strong safety, Dallas believes some combination of incumbent starting S Jeff Heath, free-agent signing George Iloka and sixth-round rookie Donovan Wilson will be sufficient. 

“We’ve got guys that can play, and that’s first and foremost,” Richard said. “We’ve got guys who can play everywhere. It’s hard to pass big for little. Very difficult. You’d much prefer to have the bigger man than the smaller man because it’s a big man’s game. Needless to say, we’ve got guys in the secondary who can play.”

Eagles

Eagles C Stefen Wisniewski was content to return to Philadelphia despite there not being a starting spot immediately available.

“I knew when I signed here that they have their starting three inside. I’ve been a starter here, but I’ve also been a backup, as well. I’m OK with that role,” Wisniewski said, via Les Bowen of the Philadelphia Inquirer. “I’ll just work my butt off, and I’ll be ready whenever they need me.”

• NJ.com’s Mike Kaye believes there are four running backs battling for the fourth and final running back slot on the Eagles’ roster, including Wendell Smallwood, Josh Adams, Boston Scott and Donnel Pumphrey.
• Eagles DC Jim Schwartz expects the team to bring in another defensive lineman at some point: “If history holds true, there will be another addition along the line.” (Zack Rosenblatt)
• Schwartz mentioned DT Hassan Ridgeway, who the Eagles traded for last year, as standing out so far during OTA’s. (Rosenblatt)
• Eagles OC Mike Groh highlighted RB Miles Sanders‘ versatility as something the team liked about him. (Eliot Shorr-Parks)
• Groh is also happy to have WR DeSean Jackson back: “We think DeSean Jackson is a very special player.” (Kaye)

Redskins

• NBC Sports’ J.P. Finlay writes that fourth-round G Wes Martin could challenge for the starting left guard position. He’s competing against Ereck Flowers, who’s moving inside from offensive tackle. 
• Finlay adds rookie WRs Terry McLaurin and Kelvin Harmon have a chance to move up the depth chart. The Redskins declined to exercise WR Josh Doctson‘s fifth-year option and WR Paul Richardson is still not practicing as he recovers from an injury.