The NFC East was largely considered one of the weakest divisions in all of football last season, with three teams failing to record winning records. Thus, the offseason proved to be a busy one for the Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants and Washington Redskins.
Some teams gained key pieces, while other lost said pieces. This offseason has made it so that the NFC East is very much up in the air at this point. Let’s take a look at what free agent signings will have the biggest influence on this race.
DeSean Jackson, WR, Washington Redskins
Jackson is by far the biggest headline in the NFC East going into the season. He was released by the Eagles in late March and stayed in the division, signing on to play with the Redskins just a few days later.
Jackson is a game-changer by nature, with his 4.35 40-yard dash time creating an “over-the-top” threat against any defense. He recorded at least 900 yards receiving in five of his six season, hauling in 32 career touchdown receptions and adding four return touchdowns and three rushing scores.
Throw Jackson in an offense with Pierre Garcon and the budding Jordan Reed, and it will be tough for defense to hone in on just him. After catching a career-high 82 passes last season, he’ll look to be just as productive on his new team.
Jason Hatcher, DT, Washington Redskins
The Redskins had a way of making their opposition weaker while bolstering their own roster. They signed Hatcher away from the Cowboys for $27.5 million in March, helping to solidify the pass rush that recorded just 36 sacks last season.
Hatcher, at 32, is coming off a career season, with 34 tackles and 11 sacks in the Cowboys 3-4 scheme. He had 11.5 sacks in all of his past five seasons, so 2013 was a great sign for Redskins fans. The Redskins will occasionally play 3-4, where Hatcher will rush from the end.
Henry Melton, DT, Dallas Cowboys
Melton joins the Cowboys from the Bears, where he sat out most of the 2013 season with a torn ACL. However, the fourth-year tackle will be healthy at some point this season, and by default, will factor into the Cowboys pass rush which lost Hatcher and Demarcus Ware.
When he was healthy, Melton recorded 84 tackles and 15.5 sacks in his first three seasons. He has a great motor and should fit into the Cowboys’ scheme relatively well; given he is healthy, of course.
Rashad Jennings, RB, New York Giants
Jennings was part of an extremely busy offseason for the Giants, who signed more than a handful on key free agents to help improve on a 7-9 season in 2013. Jenning signed with the Giants for four years and $10 million, hoping to be the starter come the fall.
Assuming Andre Williams doesn’t out-perform Jennings, he should be in store for a strong season. Last year, Jennings ran for 733 yards and six touchdowns in relief of the oft-injured Darren McFadden. If he gets the primary role, those numbers will surely rise.
Darren Sproles, RB, Philadelphia Eagles (VIA TRADE)
Technically, Sproles was not a free agent signing, but he came to the Eagles in the same time period and will have a significant impact on the team. He’ll add a different dynamic to Chip Kelly’s high-paced offense, one that combines agility and speed.
That’s not to say LeSean McCoy won’t get the majority of carries, but his role won’t be quite the same as Sproles. The former New Orleans Saints running back will set up more creative runs, as well as screen passes, something he made a habit of with the Saints.