NFC Notes: Eagles, Giants, Redskins

Eagles

Former Eagles DL Jim Washburn says that DE Derek Barnett wants to prove that he was worth the first-round draft pick that the team spent on him.

“He wants to prove that he was worth that pick,” Washburn said Thursday, via Mike Kaye of NJ.com. “I believe he will. He’s just got to stay healthy.”

• Zach Berman of The Athletic says that the Eagles could easily restructure the contract of QB Carson Wentz to save cap space next season. Berman adds that unless he is injured, the Eagles will most likely remain committed to Wentz as their franchise quarterback.
• A new contract for TE Zach Ertz could also create some cap space for the Eagles, and they would also be able to move on from the large contracts of receivers Alshon Jeffery and DeSean Jackson in 2021.
• On the defensive side of the ball, Berman notes that the Eagles will likely wait to see what type of year DE Derek Barnett has before making a decision on whether or not to pick up his fifth-year option.
• Berman believes that the Eagles could possibly move on from DT Malik Jackson next season, as he likely becomes the odd man out now that Philadelphia has signed DT Javon Hargrave to pair with franchise cornerstone DT Fletcher Cox.
• Asking WR Jalen Reagor to contribute right away is not asking too much, according to Berman, who mentions that Reagor was a first-round pick in a deep class of receivers. Reagor is also expected to contribute in the return game.
• Without a strong contribution from Reagor, Jackson, Jeffrey, or WR J.J. Arcega-Whiteside, the Eagles could be looking at WR Marquise Goodwin or Greg Ward to play a notable role in their offense next season.
• Berman thinks that a reasonable expectation for Reagor is to perform at the same level that former Eagles WR Jeremy Maclin did as a rookie with 56 catches for 773 yards and four touchdowns.

Giants

• Ralph Vacchiano says that the return of CB Deandre Baker is “murky at best” due to the circumstances surrounding his legal issues.
• Vacchiano also says it remains to be seen whether GM David Gettleman‘s investment in defensive players in the offseason will finally pay off. Of course, it will take a significant contribution from young players such as LB Lorenzo Carter, LB Oshane Ximines, and DL Dexter Lawrence in order for the defense to make waves.
• Fifth-round G Shane Lemieux could slide over from guard and give the Giants a much-needed upgrade at center, according to Vacchiano.

Redskins

One of the major criticisms of Redskins QB Dwayne Haskins last year was his maturity. It wasn’t that the 2019 first-round rookie was a bad person, but multiple teammates and coaches pointed out he just wasn’t prepared for the level of work the NFL would demand. That showed in the major adjustment phase Haskins faced as a rookie. Heading into his second year, Haskins is much better prepared in that aspect of his game. 

“I won’t necessarily say it’s about football; it’s with everything in life: I just wanted to be a man about my business and that’s on and off the field,” Haskins said via NBC Sports’ Peter Hailey. “Now that I’ve turned 23, still being young, still growing, I just wanted to — whatever there were, questions about immaturity or lack of whatever it was — I was going to change that.”

• Redskins WR Terry McLaurin says he’ll primarily be the “X” receiver for Washington but there are times he’ll line up as the “Z.” (Ben Standig)
• Redskins DE Ryan Kerrigan told reporters he still wanted to sign an extension with the team: “Hopefully I’m here for the long haul. I want to be here.” (JP Finlay)
• Kerrigan is looking forward to playing in a 4-3 defense for the first time in his professional career. (Finlay)