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NFC East Free Agency Preview

Take a look at what NFC East teams might be thinking as they head into the free agency period.

Pat Donovan

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In a division where all four teams could really use some help, the New York Giants lead the way when it comes to cap space with the team projected to be just under 16 million dollars under the cap when free agency begins. The Washington Redskins are slightly behind the Giants with 15 million of their own money to spend, but the Philadelphia Eagles who have just under four million in cap space and the Dallas Cowboys who have less than two million will have significantly less money to spend when they build their rosters for 2015. Let’s take a look at some free agents that could land in the NFC East next season.

Washington Redskins

2015, Projected Cap Room Available, 15,049,518

The Redskins have the most cap space in the division, but they’re also the furthest away from a championship. While the biggest issue in Washington might be at the quarterback position, they’ll need to focus on positions outside of quarterback in free agency. A lot of their cash may go to re-signing Brian Orakpo, but don’t be surprised to see them spend more money on the defensive side of the ball when the market opens.

Ndamukong Suh – Detroit Lions, UFA in 2015

Current Age – 27

NFL Experience -4

This move just screams Redskins.  Daniel Snyder has forever been a fan of making the splash move. Whether it was mortgaging the future for Robert Griffin III, or giving Albert Haynesworth a contract it seemed everyone else on the planet knew he didn’t deserve, Snyder has never been shy to throw his money around attempting to make the Redskins relevant. Suh is a dominant force and a defensive tackle that would find himself many more suitors if not for his on the field antics. It would almost be wrong for him to end up anywhere but Washington or Oakland.

 

Kareem Jackson – Houston Texans, UFA in 2015

Current Age – 26

NFL Experience – 4

The Redskins have some young corners and DeAngelo Hall, but the cornerback position is one that could use a boost in the arm as much as any on the roster. Hall is near the end of his career, and none of the other young Redskins corners have shown an ability to be consistent in coverage. Jackson may not be the best free agent corner on the market, but he has a good combination of youth and ability that might make him a perfect fit for a rebuilding Redskins team.

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New York Giants

2015, Projected Cap Space, 15,813,332

The Giants are almost the opposite of the Washington Redskins. While the Redskins look to make splashes with their offseason moves, the Giants are usually a lot more deliberate about how they fill their positions, and they’re rarely a team that signs guys to mega-deals. Don’t expect that to change this season, as the Giants may use a good deal of cap space retaining Jason Pierre-Paul and Antrel Rolle. It’s possible the Giants may even use the franchise tag on Pierre-Paul who has been pretty vocal about his desire to break the bank.  The Giants largest need is on the offensive line where the team would likely be willing to invest heavily for the right players.

Brian Bulaga – Green Bay Packers, UFA in 2015

Current Age – 25

NFL Experience – 4

If the Green Bay Packers allow Brian Bulaga to hit the open market, he’s the kind of player the Giants would love to bring aboard an offensive line that really struggled in 2014. While the bigger issues may be inside for the Giants, and they’ve invested pretty heavily in Will Beatty and Justin Pugh, Bulaga would immediately be an upgrade over either. The Giants know that their offense can be explosive next season if they keep Eli Manning on his feet. If their patience has run out with their two young tackles, Bulaga or Doug Free would be logical choices.

Terrance Knighton –   Denver Broncos, UFA in 2015

Current Age – 28

NFL Experience – 5

This guy is about as splashy as the Giants typically get. While the Giants need some help at defensive end, the crop of free agents at that position may have them looking to the draft to fill that need. However, a guy like Knighton to start alongside Johnathan Hankins would really sure up the interior of a defensive line which helped the Giants finish 30th against the run in 2014.

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Philadelphia Eagles

2015, Projected Cap Space, 3,998,844

The Eagles will have to be creative to open up some cap space if they want to be very active at all during free agency as the team has less than $4 million to spend as it stands. While the Eagles offense is at times explosive, defense is anything but. If he Eagles are going to make any moves in free agency, you’d have to expect them to focus almost entirely on the defensive side of the ball.

Rolando McClain – Dallas Cowboys, UFA in 2015

Current Age – 25

NFL Experience – 4

DeMeco Ryans is 30 years old, but he’s about 100 in football years. Ryans is nearing the end of his career, and injuries have to be a concern for the Eagles McClain would add a little thump to an Eagles defense that doesn’t instill a lot of fear in opponents. McClain would be a solid fit for the Eagles and stealing from the Cowboys would only make the signing that much more fun for Philadelphia.

B.J. Raji – Green Bay Packers, UFA in 2015

Current Age 28

NFL Experience -5

Philadelphia would have to get pretty creative to find room for Raji given their lack of space, but if they could do it, you’d think they’d love to bring the big man in. Raji and Fletcher Cox would give the Eagles one of the best pairs of 3-4 ends in the game, and would make Philadelphia very versatile. Raji is good enough to move inside or out if the Eagles want to get creative defensively. The Eagles probably can’t afford to grab B.J. Raji, but if they could, he’d be a solid fit for a defense that could use his presence.

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Dallas Cowboys

2015, Projected Cap Space 1,787,645

The Cowboys will have to be even more creative than Philadelphia if they hope to do anything in free agency. The real work for Dallas will be keeping their own free agents as guys like Dez Bryant, DeMarco Murray, Bruce Carter, Rolando McClain and Doug Free are only a few of the names getting ready to become unrestricted free agents at the end of the season.  If the Cowboys can add talent this offseason, they’d likely be looking to address the defensive line which is the weakest position group on the roster.

Dan Williams – Arizona Cardinals

Current Age – 27

NFL Experience -4

Dan Williams is a good defensive tackle that can help fortify Dallas’ defensive tackle position without costing as much as players like Suh, Knighton or Nick Fairley. The Cowboys are very thin at defensive tackle with Nick Hayden and Henry Melton starting inside, so Williams would make a ton of sense in Dallas.

Cory Redding – Indianapolis Colts

Current Age – 34

NFL Experience- 11

The Dallas Cowboys could really use a pass rusher at defensive end with names like Tyrone Crawford and Jeremy Mincey who have combined for 9 sacks, holding down the position currently.  The bad news for the Cowboys is, even if the Giants don’t franchise Pierre-Paul, his asking price will be out of the Cowboys price range. Dallas is bargain shopping, and that might have them look into a player like Cory Redding, who’s an effective veteran who won’t command a ton of money due to his age.

Pat Donovan has covered the NFL for almost a decade and is a host and producer for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers radio flagship 620WDAE/95.3FM. Pat covers the NFC South and NFC East for Football Insiders. Follow him on Twitter, @PatDonovanNFL.

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