DRAFT LAB WELCOME & NFC EAST FREE AGENCY

My writing here will be based mostly in the draft, but I will dip into Free Agency and playbooks here and there, but enough talk; let’s have some fun:

New division every day! Check back for more tomorrow!

Alright, so we will be releasing my team-by-team analysis starting after Free Agency, so I am going to take a look at each team in the NFC East today (continuing throughout the week) and let you know of their top needs and their top Free Agent targets.   I have also added approximate cap numbers are based on the proposed $121 million cap using Rotoworld.com and ESPN.com salary figures.

Team [cap differential (red is over green is under)]

(NEEDS in order)

NFC East

Dallas Cowboys [$16-18m]

(SS, FS, CB, OG, OT, DE)

Outlook: In a word?  Bleak. Obviously the Cowboys have a lot of needs.  Short of the Redskins, the Cowboys have the most holes to fill.  The problem is that the Cowboys are over the cap by more than just a couple cap-casualties.  This team is going to have a hard time landing Nnamdi Asomugha like the Dallas fanbase is clamoring for.  They will have to win with more-or-less the roster they had in 2010.

My guess: The Cowboys cut Roy Williams and Marion Barber (Possibly Gurode or Colombo), and restructure a few contracts to get about $7-8mil under the cap. That leaves space for them to re-sign Doug Free to plat LT.  My guess is then they look for bargain CBs like Chris Carr, Fabian Washington, or Josh Wilson at CB and try failed pick Mike Jenkins at free safety.

Philadelphia Eagles [$20-30m]

(CB, RT, SS, OLB, RB)

Outlook: Amazing.  Everyone has been saying the Eagles are in win-now mode.  Really?  They have a ridiculous amount of cap room and are looking fantastic for the future.  The Danny Watkins pick is being blown out of proportion, especially because interior offensive lineman play well into their thirties.  This team had few glaring holes (if any) and tons of money.  They may lead this division, and maybe the conference along with another green team, for a long time.

My guess: Top target?  I will surprise you: it’s not Nnamdi Asomugha. It’s CB Johnathan Joseph.  Signing Nnamdi would mean they had two huge contracts in two 30-and-over DBs.  Not going to happen.  In Joseph they would get a top talent that is just hitting his stride.  Also look for them to grab a guy like OLB Manny Lawson, a 3-4 OLB that fits the Eagle’s pass-rushing 4-3 ideals.  Finally, OG Marshal Yanda might be a surprise grab to further solidify an already solid O-line.  The Eagles are frugal and smart so don’t look for splashes, but I’m sure RB Deangelo Williams would jump at a chance to play with Mike Vick and that explosive offense.  Could Andy Reid say no?

New York Giants [$11]

(OT, ILB, OLB, CB, DT, SS, DE)

Outlook: Window closing.  This is a solid team that needs to be in win-now mode.  Their coach is very old, their O-line is very old, their defense is aging, and they have very little cap room.  They will be able to get under the cap by cutting Shawn Andrew’s $7.5m contract and restructuring as all teams do, but much like the Cowboys, after re-signing their solid free agents (Bradshaw), they won’t have much room to budge.  Thankfully, they had a fantastic draft with possibly starters at CB (Amukamura), DT (Austin), RT (Brewer), and possibly LB with the awesome Greg Jones pick.  Don’t fret Giants fans; another draft like that and the window will suddenly open back up.

My guess:  The Giants will go heavy after DEs Charles Johnson and Ray Edwards.  Go ahead, yell and scream, “BUT DEFENSIVE END ISN’T A BIG NEED YOU IDIOT!!”  Fear not, my friends, I am aware.  Remember when the Giants had a dominant D-line?  That was when they played DEs inside and out.  Watch out, this is a sleeper call, and if they pull it off, their defense will be ridiculous this year regardless of who plays LB.  LBs Paul Posluszny and Matt Roth are also potential targets.

Washington Redskins [$10]

(QB, RT, OG, OC, 3-4 DE, NT, ILB, CB, WR, RB)

Outlook: I am going to SHOCK you: Bright Future. This team is terrible right now.  Terrible.  Terrible.  Their list of needs outstretches their list of non-needs, and their starting QB is John Beck. However, they were listed by John Clayton (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=clayton_john&id=6699864) to benefit greatly from the new cap structure.  While they only have $10m in cap room, they only have a $75m payroll, which ranks them third lowest in the league after the Bucs and Eagles.  This means they can throw out ridiculous up-front bonus money at free agents, which are guaranteed and free agents love.  This is how Dan Snyder always lands free agents ad stays under the cap; his abyssal pockets will be open again in two weeks, but this time there aren’t many washed-up or bad-attitude free agents for him to screw up on.  They have finally started to add youth and stockpile picks, and I honestly (Honestly) think this team will be a perennial playoff team in the next couple of years.

My guess:  They will go after CB Nnamdi Asomugha like Jack Bauer went after former president Logan in the final season of 24.  With full body armor and a full arsenal of weapons to choose from, the Redskins won’t go down easy.  I believe that Nnamdi will be a Redskin, Texan, or Lion at the end of July (in that order).   CB Johnathon Joseph will be next in line if their armor-shredding shotguns can’t break into Nnamdi’s limousine. The Redskins have the cash to go after at least two other big names.  Look for them to be in the trenches.  OG Marshal Yanda will be attractive because I don’t think he will demand as much money as OG Davin Joseph and I think he’s the better player and his versatility is pretty amazing.  NT Aubrayo Franklin has to be high on the list, as every 3-4 needs a run-crushing NT.  3-4 DE Cullen Jenkins will be in Burgundy and Gold (from the area).  Otherwise, look for the Redskins to resign WR Santana Moss quickly and to find bargain FAs (CB Josh Wilson?) like they quietly did very well last year. (Note: word came out after this was written about Santonio Holmes.  I think the Jets keep him though. Otherwise, my list is right on the money.)

That’s it for now, check back tomorrow!

-KC