NFC East Rumors: Cowboys, Giants, Redskins

Cowboys

• According to ESPN’s Dan Graziano and Jeremy Fowler, the Cowboys have been encouraged by the state of contract negotiations with WR Amari Cooper in recent walks. 
• A source suggested to ESPN that Cowboys QB Dak Prescott might prefer to do a shorter-term deal than the traditional long Cowboys deal that allows them to keep restructuring for cap relief. This could mean Prescott targets a similar contract to the three-year, fully guaranteed contract signed by Vikings QB Kirk Cousins, which would allow him to test the open market again at 29.
• Michael Gehlken reports that the Cowboys are expected tender restricted free agent TE Blake Jarwin and QB Cooper Rush. However, they do not plan to do so with DL Daniel Ross. 
• Syracuse DL Kendall Coleman had a formal interview with the Cowboys at the Combine. (Austin Meo)

Giants

An NFL GM tells Mike Sando of The Athletic that he expects the Giants to take an offensive lineman at No. 4 overall such as Georgia’s Andrew Thomas or Louisville’s Mekhi Becton. 

“The Giants will take an offensive lineman and I’ll go with the Georgia tackle or maybe (Mekhi) Becton,” the GM said. “Thomas would be a damn good pick for them.”

• Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer says the Giants are not interested in Patriots QB Tom Brady.
• According to NJ.com’s Matt Lombardo, the Giants and Jaguars DE Yannick Ngakoue would have had mutual interest if the 24-year-old pass rusher had reached the open market. 
• Syracuse DL Kendall Coleman had a formal interview with the Giants at the Combine. (Austin Meo)

Redskins

• Ben Standig of The Athletic reports that Ohio State DE Chase Young remains the “overwhelming favorite” to be selected by the Redskins at No. 2 overall. A source familiar with Washington’s thinking tells Standig: “Shocked if they don’t take Chase.“
• A report out of Miami mentioned that the Dolphins might not have the chance to select Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa at No. 5 because he could end up in Washington. However, multiple sources who spoke with Standig dispute the report.
• League sources have told Standig that they don’t see a scenario in which Tagovailoa and Haskins compete for the starting job: “Haskins would be gone for if Tua is drafted for sure.”
• Standig expects the Redskins to spend aggressively on a few needs including cornerback and tight end.
• According to Standig, there’s “mutual interest” between the Redskins and CB James Bradberry and Chiefs CB Kendall Fuller is another possible target for Washingon.
• At tight end, league sources have told Standig they believe the Redskins are a primary suitor for Falcons TE Austin Hooper.
• The expectation remains that the Redskins will franchise G Brandon Scherff.
• As for LT Trent Williams, Standig spoke to one source who said the two sides have not engaged much recently. Should Washington consider trading Williams, Standig mentions that the Redskins would likely be able to secure a second-round pick.
• NBC Sports’ JP Finlay writes that Redskins HC Ron Rivera wasn’t actually at the team’s Combine meeting with Tagovailoa.
• Finlay adds not to read too much into that, as Rivera had an extraordinarily busy Combine schedule given his role as a member of multiple NFL committees and panels. He anticipates Rivera meeting Tagovailoa at the official meeting in Washington and at Tagovailoa’s pro day.