Dallas Cowboys: Did free agency move them further down the NFC East?

The NFL free agency started two weeks ago, and as usual, the Dallas Cowboys have done little more that the bare minimum. In other words, the Cowboys bypassed on signing elite talent in free agency because Stephen Jones would rather shift through the slightly damaged bargain bin.

Sure, the Dallas Cowboys did come to their senses and re-sign franchise quarterback Dak Prescott to a $160 million dollar contract, but outside of that, the only other free agency signings worth mentioning is that of safety Keanu Neal and cornerback Jourdan Lewis ( but even Lewis’ signing definitely raises some eyebrows.)

While the Cowboys have been playing “patty cake” during free agency, their NFC rivals have been big spenders and have made some major moves by upgrading their rosters.

So do these moves put the Dallas Cowboys further behind in the divisional race?

Don’t laugh. Because I’m being as serious right now. Yes, Dak is truly the best signal caller in the NFC East, but Dak needs more for his offense and he needs a defense that supports him.

Today I’m going to explain this free agency scenario for each divisional foe and how it decreases the Cowboys’ chances of winning the NFC East race. Bet?

Hopefully, the Dallas Cowboys can hit a homerun with its first round draft pick in next month’s draft and continue to get lucky finding defensive gems. If that happens, then the Dallas Cowboys will be my favorites to capture the NFC East crown.

Washington Football Team

Washington Football Team has upgraded its roster with the free agency signings of wide receivers Curtis Samuel/Cam Sims, cornerback William Jackson, guard Brandon Scherff, and journeyman, quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick.

Regardless of what you may think of Fitzpatrick as a quarterback, he’s really good in spurts and he can sling that ball to his receivers. Plus, Fitzpatrick is better than his successor, Alex Smith. Fitzpatrick will be throwing passes to the talented duo of Samuels and Terry McLaurin, along with Logan Thomas and any other receiving threat they draft.

Fitzpatrick will give WFT some bad games, but his good games can be just as good as any franchise quarterback in the league. That’s a scar situation for Dallas.

Then WFT has a really good stable of running backs in Antonio Gibson, Peyton Barber, J.D. McKissic. This trio of running backs rushed for a combined 1,418 yards, 16 touchdowns, and Gibson and McKissic averaged 4.7 and 4.3 yards, respectively. Also, this unit of running backs will run behind a decent offensive line.

To further prove my case, WFT brings back a top-5 defense with an elite defensive line led by edge rushers Chase Young, Montez Sweat, along with Daron Payne and Jonathan Allen. Their linebacking core is solid with Cole Holcomb and Jonathan Bostic, and the secondary has Kendall Fuller and the recently signed Jackson.

So WFT has upgraded its offense and improved its top-5 defense through free agency. At this point, WFT is more than capable of winning the NFC East because they simply have a better defense than the Dallas Cowboys and an offense that will give the Cowboys defense fits if it Dallas doesn’t upgrade in this area.

New York Giants

Just like WFT, the Giants have upgraded their weaknesses and improved their strengths. Ranked 31st in the league in scoring, the Giants fixed their anemic offense by signing wide receivers Kenny Golladay, John Ross and tight end Kyle Rudolph.

Those passing threats join a decent unit of receiving threats in Sterling Shepard, Evan Engram, and Darius Slayton. And electrifying pro bowl running back Saquon Barkley returns to duty from a season-ending ACL injury.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Giants re-signed defensive tackle Leonard Williams and then had the audacity to sign corner Adoree’ Jackson to go with their top-10 defense. Let’s be clear, the Giants defense isn’t the problem; its always been their offense and the inconsistency from quarterback Daniel Jones.

But for all of Jones’ flaws last season ( 11 touchdowns, 10 interceptions, 11 fumbles -six lost), they’re fixable, especially the fumbles. In no way am I suggesting Jones is about to win league MVP.

But with more offensive weapons at his disposable, the signing of offensive lineman Kevin Zeitler, and a full offseason with COACH-CLAP-ALOT, Jason Garrett, Jones will be better than last season by default alone.