NFC East 2015 Off-season Changes

Dallas Cowboys:

After decades of being poster children for drug abuse, Dallas was working towards cleaning itself up so it was surprising when they drafted LB Randy Gregory. Gregory cost himself a mint by either being too hooked on weed or too stupid to not smoke weed DURING the NFL Combine. Either way, if Dallas can smack some smarts into the man, getting him with the 60th pick is a bonafide steal. Other big moves include grabbing G La’el Collins after he went undrafted due to the Baton Rouge police wanting to interview him in the murder investigation of his girlfriend. He is not currently a suspect and if he is completely exonerated, this is THE massive steal of 2015 and could be a landmark steal. The remainder of the draft focused on adding more depth to their massive offensive line and shoring up their defense. CB Bryon Jones should be an impact player for them this year. They also added lightning rod DE Greg Hardy in free agency. He will be suspended until week 12, but will be a boost for their defense down the stretch and into the playoffs.

On offense, the biggest story is letting DeMarco Murray go and only adding Darren McFadden to replace him. I truly do not know why they didn’t go after Zac Stacy. He seems like a good fit behind their line and was dirt cheap. Anywhoo, McFadden is made of cupcakes and will be fool’s gold this year. If this unit stays intact, you will want RB Joseph Randle on your team.

Fantasy starters: QB Tony Romo, WR Dez BryantFantasy bench: RB Darren McFadden, WR Terrance Williams, TE Jason Williams, Dallas D/STFantasy Sleeper: RB Joseph Randle

Philadelphia Eagles:  

I have no idea where to start with this team. Talk about turnover! Goodbye to QB Nick Foles, RB LeSean McCoy and WR Jeremy Maclin and Hello to QB Sam Bradford and RBs DeMarco Murray and Ryan Matthews. Bradford appears to be as fragile as they come but that running back tandem is the best in the league if Mathews can stay healthy himself.  The Eagles replaced Maclin with a better receiver at a much lower cost when they drafted Nelson Agholor from USC in the first round. He will light up the return game and provide a very nice compliment to WR Jordan Matthews. He runs a 4.42 in the 40-yard dash, has excellent hands and is a good route-runner.

On defense, the Eagles acquired Kiko Alonso from Buffalo for McCoy. This brings Alonso back under his former college coach. He will definitely help stuff the run if he returns to form following his missed 2014 campaign due to an ACL tear (never a good thing for a space eater). The other key component addressed in this year’s draft by Philly was to work on their leaky secondary. They did in triplicate by drafting S Eric Rowe from Utah in the 2nd round and CBs JaCorey Shepherd and Randall Evans in the 6th round; one from each Big 12 Kansas school. However, there is a good chance that this draft will be remembered in Philly for what Chip Kelly reportedly offered up to get Marcus Mariota. It seems like FAR too much, but even a player or two or a pick or two less seems like too much. If Bradford stays healthy, this team is playoff-bound and the trade offer will be forgotten. Oh yeah, the Eagles signed Tim Tebow as well!

Fantasy starters: RB DeMarco Murray, WR Jordan Matthews, Philly DFantasy bench: QB Sam Bradford, RB Ryan Mathews, WR Riley Cooper, TE Zach ErtzFantasy Sleeper: WR Nelson Agholor

New York Giants:

The biggest addition for the Giants this season is getting WR Victor Cruz back. If he returns to form, he and WR Odell Beckam Jr are a receiving duo that can make QB Eli Manning appear like a competent NFL QB (see David Tyree). Other than that, their defense is not good and getting older and their running game is a mess. With only six picks in the draft this year, they could not address all areas of need. They did pick up DE George Selvie in free agency. He has one good year out of his seven though and figures not to provide much help to Jason Pierre-Paul.

They drafted OT Ereck Flowers from Miami in hopes of providing some run blocking to get that unit to perform this year. They are banking on RB Rashad Jennings staying healthy and earning the contract he signed last year. Andre Williams proved serviceable in his absence but wasn’t overly impressive. They added PPR stud Shane Vereen from New England to add a dimension sorely lacking in their backfield. Drafting S Landon Collins in the 2nd round from Alabama was a good move because they are woefully devoid of talent in the secondary and Collins is better than anything else that they have in uniform. They added another safety in the 5th round in Mykkele Thompson from Texas. Nice additions but not near enough to cover deficiencies on DL and LB.  

Fantasy starters: WR Odell Beckham Jr, WR Victor CruzFantasy bench: QB Eli Manning, RB Rashard Jennings, RB Shane Vereen, TE Larry DonnellFantasy Sleeper: None come to mind

Washington Redskins:

The Redskins didn’t do anything flashy in the off-season other than signing DT Stephen Paea, who had his best year in Chicago last season, and DB Dashon Goldson after 2 disappointing seasons in TB. They added no one else of note through free agency but they did draft individual pieces that will help the team overall (it did need help at all spots). They know they need to run to ball to be successful and Alfred Morris has not really dazzled so they decided to draft OT Brandon Scherff from Iowa in the 1st round to help open holes immediately and expect 5th round pick, G Ari Kouandjio from Alabama to see a lot of time on the field as well this year.

They added a little depth at the RB spot in the 3rd round with the selection of Matt Jones from Florida. He goes 6’2 231 so he can help open holes or get the tough yards that Morris cannot. They added a slot WR in the 4th round in Jamison Crowder from Duke and drafted DE Preston Smith in the 2nd round from Mississippi St. Smith was a run-stopper on a solid Bulldogs’ defense but will be moved to OLB in the Skins’ 3-4 defense.

Fantasy starters: RB Alfred Morris, WR DeSean JacksonFantasy bench: QB Robert Griffin III, WR Pierre Garcon, TE Jordan ReedFantasy Sleeper: WR Jamison Crowder