NFC Notes: Cowboys, Giants, Washington

Cowboys

• ESPN’s Todd Archer writes the Cowboys are optimistic some bargain-bin shopping they did in free agency will pay off on defense, as Dallas thinks DE Brent Urban, LB Keanu Neal and DE Tarell Basham are strong fits for new DC Dan Quinn‘s defense. 
• Archer also notes the ability of QB Dak Prescott, LT Tyron Smith, G Zack Martin and RT La’el Collins to return successfully from injury and stay healthy through 17 games will be crucial to the Cowboys’ 2021 season. 

Giants

The Giants already seemed set at tight end with former first-rounder Evan Engram, but HC Joe Judge zeroed in on recruiting TE Kyle Rudolph in free agency, telling him, “overachievers aren’t OK with mediocrity. I want to surround myself with a bunch of overachievers.”

Judge has gotten exactly what he expected from Rudolph even though he’s spent most of his time this offseason rehabbing a foot injury. 

“You can tell he’s a vet,” Judge said via NJ.com’s Zack Rosenblatt. “He has a lot of experience. He knows his body very well. He’s in there and he’s opening up the door with the coaches every morning bright and early.”

• Rosenblatt notes Rudolph’s sure hands and blocking ability give the Giants something different that Engram doesn’t necessarily provide at the position. Rudolph and Kaden Smith are also the only tight ends signed beyond this season.