NFC Notes: Cowboys, Eagles, Giants

Cowboys

• Former NFL GM and analyst for the Athletic Michael Lombardi writes the most obvious question for the Cowboys in 2020 is if they’ll be better in close games under HC Mike McCarthy than they were under Jason Garrett. 
• Lombardi adds the Cowboys also have significant room to improve with drops, as they ranked 28th in the NFL in that category last year. 
• NFL Media’s Gil Brandt thinks the Cowboys make a lot of sense as a potential trade destination for Jets S Jamal Adams.
• Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott said Wednesday that he feels “good” and “normal” after testing positive for COVID-19. Elliott mentioned that he had symptoms including cough, shortness of breath for 1-2 days.
• Elliott can’t work out yet, but he says he’s feeling much better. (Jori Epstein)

Eagles

• Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer mentions the Eagles could be interested in G Kyle Long if he’s healthy enough to come out of retirement, as his brother Chris Long had a positive experience with the team. 
• Former NFL GM and analyst for the Athletic Michael Lombardi writes the most obvious question for the Eagles in 2020 is if they can find more reliable targets for QB Carson Wentz in the passing game. 
• Lombardi also says the Eagles need to figure out who will start for them at middle linebacker after electing not to address the position high in the draft. 
• NFL Media’s Gil Brandt thinks the Eagles make a lot of sense as a potential trade destination for Jets S Jamal Adams, though it could be difficult to fit a deal for Adams under the cap.
• However, NJ.com’s Mike Kaye thinks the Cowboys are much better positioned than the Eagles, as Adams would be less likely to press the issue with his contract. Philadelphia also tends not to spend premium draft picks on safeties. 
• Kaye adds the Eagles could look at lower-tier veteran offensive linemen like G Josh Kline or OT Kelvin Beachum if they need to bolster their depth during training camp.

Giants

• SNY’s Ralph Vacchiano writes that if Giants DL Leonard Williams is not able to have a productive season where he converts pressures to sacks at a higher rate, there’s a good chance he’ll end up leaving New York and navigating a tepid free-agent market in 2021. 
• Vacchiano adds if Williams flops with the Giants, that also likely would not bode well for GM Dave Gettleman, who controversially traded a third-round pick for Williams and then doubled down with the franchise tag after failing to come to terms on an extension. 
• The Athletic’s Dan Duggan says the Giants are likely higher on OT Nate Solder than outside observers given the shared Patriots connections. However, if the veteran struggles again Duggan wouldn’t rule out him being replaced. 
• Duggan writes the odds of LB Markus Golden returning to the Giants increase each day under New York’s unrestricted free agent tender. 
• Neil Stratton reports the Giants are filling staff vacancies with internal hires. Marquis Pendleton, who joined the team as an intern in 2014, has been promoted to area scout and will be replaced by Blaise Bell.