NFC Notes: Cowboys, Eagles, Giants, Washington

Cowboys

• Regarding the Cowboys waiving DT Antwaun Woods on Wednesday, David Moore of the Dallas Morning News points out that Woods “doesn’t fit the template” of DC Dan Quinn’s typical defensive tackle.

Eagles

The Eagles have had a bad history with injuries and players, particularly in recent seasons. That made their pick of OL Landon Dickerson in the second round somewhat controversial given Dickerson’s injury history coming out of college is extensive. However, GM Howie Roseman says the team thinks Dickerson can be enough of a difference-maker in the NFL that it was worth the risk. 

“Obviously the history is that guys (who) have been hurt get hurt more often than guys who have a cleaner injury history,” Roseman said via the Athletic’s Zach Berman. “But we also don’t want to be risk-averse. We want to take chances. When we think about Landon, we think about what kind of player we think he is and what kind of player we think he can be in the National Football League. And then again our medical group gives us comps of guys of linemen with these injuries and how long their careers last and what they’re playing, how many games they’re starting. … And although hope isn’t a strategy … we also know the hit rates in the draft. We know it’s hard to hit in the draft. We know in the first round, 50 percent of the players are not going to work out. So, when you have a guy with this kind of character and this kind of physical ability, he’s a person you want to bet on.”

Eagles fifth-round RB Kenneth Gainwell was one of if not the most advanced receiving back in the class. New HC Nick Sirianni worked with a player like that with the Colts in RB Nyheim Hines and he acknowledged the similarities. 

“That’s a good comparison,” Sirianni said. “We like a lot of the things that Kenneth can do … the ability to go outside and win one-on-one against the linebackers, against safeties, to come out of the backfield and be able to do that as well. But then again not always having to do that with him. He’s shown that he’s been really good in protection aspects as well and that every time he’s going in it’s not (just) a pass play right to him. So, he can protect. He can run the ball. I think that’s a good comparison.”

• Berman mentions that as the only addition the Eagles made at cornerback was fourth-rounder Zech McPhearson, he wouldn’t be surprised to see them acquire a different Week 1 starter sometime between now and September. 
• According to Field Yates, the Eagles and Saints also put in waiver claims on Jets’ recently claimed WR Matt Cole.

Giants

• The Athletic’s Dan Duggan notes the Giants’ offseason additions on offense, particularly at the skill positions, should set QB Daniel Jones and OC Jason Garrett up better to have success in 2021. 
• Conversely, the moves also shrink any potential excuses either would have for any failure to perform up to expectations this coming season, so Duggan says this is a critical year for both Jones and Garrett. 
• Duggan mentions former Giants third-round OLB Oshane Ximines is on the roster bubble heading into training camp given the team’s additions at the position. 
• Giants G Will Hernandez lost his starting job last season but Duggan points out he just has to beat out veteran journeyman Zach Fulton to start this season, as New York didn’t make any other additions to the offensive line. 

Washington

• ESPN’s John Keim writes that Washington QB Ryan Fitzpatrick could keep the starting job for a few years if he keeps playing well. He points out Fitzpatrick has the NFL’s seventh-best QBR over the past two years. 
• Keim mentions there was no consensus in the building on which quarterback prospect Washington liked best, which was a major obstacle in any trade up the board, though the team may have pounced if one had fallen to their pick at No. 19. 
• The big picture strategy for Washington is to build up its roster to be ready to contend when the opportunity to land a long-term answer at quarterback presents itself, per Keim. 
• The Athletic conducted an exercise with its beat reporters playing the role of GMs for the Broncos, Raiders, Washington and Packers and conducting mock trade discussions for QB Aaron Rodgers. In the exercise, the Packers turned down all three trade offers for Rodgers. 
• Washington offered Fitzpatrick, DT Da’Ron Payne, WR Antonio Gandy-Golden, a 2022 first-round pick and 2023 first and second-round picks.
• Washington has hired former Panthers scout Jeff Beathard and former Patriots scout Jon Howard to its scouting department. (Joseph Person)