RADIO
Joey looks at each NFL team in the NFC East and determines their biggest needs. Each team's top three positional needs are identified ahead of 2025 free agency and the draft.
The NFL offseason is an opportunity for all 32 teams to take a step forward going into the next season. Each team will make the necessary moves to win the Super Bowl through free agency and the NFL Draft. In this article, we will look at the four NFC East teams (Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Commanders, Dallas Cowboys, and New York Giants) and determine their biggest needs.
The NFC East was a mixed bag in 2024; the Eagles won their second Super Bowl and the Commanders enjoyed their first NFC Championship Game appearance since 1992. But the Cowboys and Giants struggled mightily, each missing the playoffs. Both teams will head into the offseason needing more pieces to complete their rosters.
So, what does each NFC East team need the most going into the 2025 offseason? Let's take a look and find out.
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Philadelphia Eagles
Season Review and Offseason Assets
After a horrendous late-season collapse in 2023 culminating in a first-round playoff exit, the Eagles were left with several questions. But in 2024, they answered said questions, running through the NFC and taking down the Chiefs to win Super Bowl LIX. New coordinators Vic Fangio and Kellen Moore helped get the most out of the Eagles' quality roster and reach the promised land.
The Eagles still have a fairly young roster, and their championship window is far from closed. However, general manager Howie Roseman prefers to pay his stars rather than letting them walk, so the Eagles have limited cap space.
According to Over the Cap, Philadelphia currently has a cap space of $18.1 million. Therefore, most of their additions will likely come through the draft, where Roseman has been exceptional in the past few years.
Biggest Needs
1. Edge-Rusher
The fact that Philadelphia's biggest need is arguably a strength reveals how elite its roster is. However, there are still some things the Eagles need to sort out in the edge-rusher department. Outside linebacker Josh Sweat is hitting free agency, and Roseman may not match the high price he will demand. But the Eagles could potentially go big for his replacement, perhaps even as big as Browns superstar defensive end Myles Garrett.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler says teams view the Eagles as a ‘real threat’ to acquire Myles Garrett this offseason with Josh Sweat likely to move on.
Eagles reportedly do not want to see Garrett go to the Commanders and would step in to prevent that deal from happening. pic.twitter.com/JINbQwP4Na
— Victor Williams (@ThePhillyPod) February 25, 2025
The high-profile option to acquire Garrett may not seem likely, but we have learned that with Roseman, anything is possible. The Eagles also have to deal with OLB Bryce Huff, who was signed for $51 million last offseason but failed to earn consistent playing time. Huff is a trade candidate in free agency who will have to be replaced if moved.
2. Guard
The Eagles' guard combo of Landon Dickerson and Mekhi Becton was rock-solid in 2024, but they may need to reload with Becton hitting free agency. Becton's price is expected to be matched by Philadelphia, but if not, the Eagles can replace him with young talent waiting in the wings.
Former third-round pick Tyler Steen could slot into the lineup in Becton's absence. He has looked promising in limited action for Philadelphia. Last season's fifth-rounder, Trevor Keegan, is also an option at guard.
3. Linebacker
The Eagles were incredibly strong at the linebacker position last year, but there are factors they must deal with for both starters.
ILB Zack Baun had an outstanding debut season in Philadelphia, going from a non-factor in New Orleans to a Defensive Player of the Year finalist. But following the expiration of his one-year deal, he is now a free agent. The Eagles will likely push for him to re-sign harder than any of their other pending free agents, as he was a key part of their success on defense in 2024.
The team's other ILB, Nakobe Dean, also excelled last season. But his concern is a health one; Dean suffered a season-ending torn patellar tendon in the Eagles' Wild Card victory over Green Bay. He is expected to fully recover, but will be out for a significant time; it could take up to a year if Dean suffers any setbacks.
Oren Burks started at ILB following Dean's injury in the playoffs and will likely continue to play in his place. However, Philadelphia could opt to strengthen the position in free agency or the draft even if it re-signs Baun.
Washington Commanders
Season Review and Offseason Assets
Compared to preseason expectations, no team overperformed more than the Commanders, who went 12-5 and made the NFC Championship Game behind a brilliant rookie season from QB Jayden Daniels.
Things are looking up in Washington, but expectations will be tempered by its poor rushing defense; the Commanders surrendered seven touchdowns and 229 yards on the ground in their blowout loss to the Eagles in the NFC title game. They also ranked just 30th in the NFL in rushing yards allowed in the regular season.
Luckily, the Commanders' playoff trip came ahead of schedule, and their talented roster is currently one of the least expensive in the NFL. According to Over the Cap, the Commanders have over $75 million to spend this offseason, the third most in the league. As a result, we can expect Washington to make a big splash this offseason.
Biggest Needs
1. Edge-Rusher
While the Commanders ranked 12th in the league in sacks last season, their run defense was miserable largely due to their lack of run-defending edge-rushers. Although DTs Daron Payne and Jonathan Allen clog up the interior, Washington's defensive ends struggled to contain running backs to the inside, resulting in big plays.
Look at how bad the Commanders run defense was in 2024
This is my number 1 priority this offseason
How can I fix this https://t.co/CWiK2uwfLX
— Lynnell Willingham (@Nell_BTP) February 25, 2025
Commanders DEs Dorance Armstrong and Dante Fowler Jr. are simply not good enough in this regard. Fowler is a free agent, and although he posted 10.5 sacks this past season, it may be smarter for Washington to let the 30-year-old walk.
A replacement option could be the Chargers' Khalil Mack; although he is 34 years old, he is one of the top run-defending edge-rushers in the NFL and could be a tone-setter for this defense.
2. Offensive Line
Jayden Daniels' incredible instincts were not enough to keep him clean in 2024; the Commanders allowed 50 sacks, seventh most in the NFL. While none of their starters are hitting free agency, four backups (LT Cornelius Lucas, LG Michael Deiter, RT Trenton Scott, and RG Haggai Chisom Ndubuisi) are, meaning that both starters and depth at all five offensive line positions could be addressed.
Starting right tackle Samuel Cosmi is 30 years old and will need to be replaced sooner rather than later. The draft is not expected to have a strong offensive line class, so expect the Commanders to upgrade the trenches in free agency.
3. Wide Receiver
Terry McLaurin enjoyed a career-best season in 2024, scoring 13 TDs and making the Pro Bowl. But Washington lacks a threat at the receiver position beside him, and if he were to get injured, its receiver room would be disastrous.
With veteran wideouts Noah Brown and Jamison Crowder set to become free agents, the receiver position is an area that the Commanders must improve in free agency or the draft.
Dallas Cowboys
Season Review and Offseason Assets
Following a 3-4 start, a season-ending hamstring injury to QB Dak Prescott made things go from bad to worse in Big D. They finished with a 7-10 record, struggling to run the football (bottom 10 in rushing yards and yards per carry) and match their defensive prowess from 2023 (31st in scoring defense). And with 25-year-old edge-rusher Micah Parsons soon to demand a big payday, the Cowboys are not exactly sitting pretty.
To make matters worse, the Cowboys currently have a negative cap. According to Over the Cap, Dallas is nearly $3 million under the cap, 26th in the NFL. This means that signing players -- and keeping their key ones -- will prove difficult.
Biggest Needs
1. Offensive Line
The Cowboys offensive line was already one of the league's youngest, and the retirement of nine-time All-Pro guard Zack Martin exacerbates the issue. Even though the unit was not bad against the pass, ranking 13th in the NFL with 38 sacks allowed, it was a big reason Dallas had such an anemic run game.
While Cooper Beebe played well at center last season and Tyler Smith has emerged as a force at left guard, the other three linemen must step up if they want to keep their jobs. Unfortunately for the Cowboys, a lack of cap space combined with a weaker offensive line class in the draft means it will be hard to fill this need.
2. Defensive Line
If not for the dominance of Micah Parsons, the discourse around the Dallas pass-rushers would be far more negative. They did finish third in the NFL in sacks (52), but outside of Parsons (12), the Cowboys did not have a single player reach six sacks. The team's sack-by-committee approach may have worked in 2024, but it will be a hard trick to repeat.
With DE DeMarcus Lawrence entering his 12th season and former first-round DT Mazi Smith failing to establish himself as a starter, the Cowboys need to address both the interior and exterior of the defensive line. But as mentioned earlier, its lack of funds means that Dallas will likely have to rely on the draft to improve the group.
3. Wide Receiver
Just like the defensive line, one player holds together the Dallas WR room. Outside of all-world talent CeeDee Lamb, the Cowboys are incredibly bare at the receiver spot. An aging Brandin Cooks and inconsistent Jalen Tolbert are not good enough to keep defenses' attention away from Lamb. The wide receiver position must be addressed if the Cowboys want Prescott to return to his 2023 form.
The Dak Prescott discourse is hilarious because you can see he’s a good NFL QB. You can also see what the actual problem with the team. It’s not him.
— Wendell Reese (@CoachDiesel) February 25, 2025
While it would be an expensive purchase, signing a top wideout in free agency just might be worth it for Dallas, and the NFL Draft is also an option. Regardless, the receiver position must be upgraded if Dallas wants to return to the postseason in 2025.
New York Giants
Season Review and Offseason Assets
Despite an awful 3-14 season, the New York Giants retained their current regime of HC Brian Daboll and GM Joe Schoen. Those two will be tasked with repairing one of the worst rosters in the NFL.
With Daniel Jones out of town, the Giants have no current plan at quarterback, and the rest of the roster also needs a prenup. The G-Men scored just 16.1 points per game, 31st in the league, and allowed 24.4 points per game, 21st in the league.
New York does have some money to spend in free agency. According to Over the Cap, the Giants will have upward of $43 million in cap space this offseason. Schoen and Daboll must get this right if they want to elevate New York back to playoff contention and keep their jobs.
Biggest Needs
1. Quarterback
Daniel Jones was traded mid-season, leaving uninspiring options Drew Lock and Tommy DeVito at the QB position. The Giants will need to replace Jones immediately, either with a bridge quarterback in free agency or a top young talent in the draft.
The latter may be more likely, as New York owns the No. 3 pick in the NFL Draft. Shedeur Sanders and Cam Ward are highly touted draft prospects who the Giants could fall in love with throughout the offseason.
However, if they draft a stud at another position like DE Abdul Carter or WR/CB Travis Hunter, signing a bridge QB in free agency might be the route New York takes instead. Russell Wilson and Matthew Stafford are potential veteran options, while Justin Fields provides a younger route. Whatever route Schoen and Daboll take will likely determine the success of the Giants offense in 2025.
2. Offensive Line
The Giants' starting offensive line was not that bad in 2024. But a glaring lack of depth meant that a couple of injuries (RT Evan Neal's surgery setback and LT Andrew Thomas' season-ending Lisfranc injury) shuffled the entire offensive line, and the unit collapsed. Now, the G-Men are in desperate need of offensive line depth and improving their starting lineup.
As a result, New York will push to add multiple offensive linemen this offseason. Because it is unlikely that the Giants will use their top draft pick on an OL, free agency is a more viable option.
C John Michael Schmitz Jr. has shown flashes and Neal improved at RT as the year went on, meaning that guards should be their top priority. Quality options like Will Fries and Tevin Jenkins will be on their radar. But if they are just looking to insure their starters, the Giants could use their mid-to-late-round draft picks to add much-needed depth to the group.
3. Cornerback
While not as noticeable as the situation on offense, the Giants defense is also lacking, with their biggest issues coming from the back end. 2023 first-round pick Deonte Banks has struggled with CB1 duties, and journeyman CB2 Adoree' Jackson didn't fare much better. While nickelback Dru Phillips has been an excellent find, both Banks and Jackson must be improved upon if New York wants to fix its secondary.
D.J. Reed, Charvarius Ward, and Rasul Douglas are all free-agent CB options the Giants should consider.
PFF's Top Free Agent Cornerbacks:
-6. DJ Reed
-13. Charvarius Ward
-15. Rasul Douglas
-21. Carlton Davis III
-26. Asante Samuel Jr.
-33. Byron Murphy Jr.
-35. Mike Hilton
— Nelson Thielen (@NelsonThielen) February 21, 2025
A veteran presence in the cornerback room could mentor Banks and Phillips and help them reach their full potential. While the draft is also an option, steadying the ship should be the No. 1 priority for Schoen, and a veteran talent at the CB position would do just that.
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