NFC Notes: Cowboys, Eagles, Giants

Cowboys

• ESPN’s Todd Archer thinks the Cowboys improved dramatically at backup quarterback with the addition of veteran QB Andy Dalton.
• Wide receiver is also a strength with the selection of first-round WR CeeDee Lamb, per Archer, though he has some concerns about the depth after the top three. 
• However, Archer thinks the Cowboys got worse at tight end and along the offensive line following the departure of TE Jason Witten and the retirement of C Travis Frederick. 
• Dallas has some confidence in their replacements, TE Blake Jarwin and C Joe Looney, but Archer points out both are still unproven. 
• There’s nothing new between the Jets and Cowboys regarding a potential trade for S Jamal Adams. (Archer)

Eagles

• Jimmy Kempski of the Philly Voice looks at five position battles for the Eagles heading into training camp, starting with the competition for the backup quarterback job between Nate Sudfeld and second-round rookie Jalen Hurts. Kempski gives the edge to Sudfeld because of his three years of experience in the system. 
• Philadelphia also has to figure out its other two starting receivers, with first-round WR Jalen Reagor having an inside track to starting at either the slot or flanker position. 2019 second-round WR JJ Arcega-Whiteside is competing to start at flanker and WR Greg Ward is pushing to start in the slot. 
• Kempski points out Eagles OT Andre Dillard has to show enough to dissuade the team from re-signing LT Jason Peters to start. 
• Kempski writes there’s a stiff competition for the fourth and potentially final defensive end spot between Genard Avery, Joe Ostman, Daeshon Hall, 2019 fourth-round pick Shareef Miller and seventh-round rookie Casey Toohill. 
• If none of that bunch stand out, Kempski adds the Eagles could bring back DE Vinny Curry. 
• At linebacker, Kempski believes T.J. Edwards has the early edge to start next to Nathan Gerry ahead of Duke Riley, Jatavis Brown and third-round rookie Davion Taylor. 
• Kempski also thinks Eagles CB Avonte Maddox is locked in as the No. 2 ahead of Sidney Jones and both of Philadelphia’s starting safeties are set with Jalen Mills and Rodney McLeod. 

Giants

Expectations weren’t high for Giants WR Darius Slayton as a fifth-round pick last year. But after injuries wracked New York’s receiving corps, Slayton used that as an opportunity to build a rapport with fellow rookie QB Daniel Jones and shine on the field. Slayton was the Giants’ leading receiver in yards with 48 catches for 740 yards and eight touchdowns and he’ll look to build on those numbers this year. 

“[He] showed up time and time again making really big plays,” Jones said in a recent appearance on SiriusXM NFL Radio via NJ.com’s Matt Lombardo. “Catching slants and taking them all the way, or catching deep balls, and running past people. Time and time again, he stepped up and made huge plays for us. We developed that chemistry and that was valuable for us.”