Intro: For each team, for the next month or so, we’re going to look at the key offseason moves each team has made via trade, free agency, coaching and GM changes, and their NFL Draft to see if we scout/analyze these teams have improved or regressed or stayed flat, essentially – looking at it from a 2024 impact only...not long-term, just what could impact this season’s results.
We’ll judge these teams two at a time, pitting them against each other head-to-head to determine a ‘winner’ (which team we think impacted 2024 the best), and the winning teams will move on to the next round and compete until we get to the finals/Super Bowl.
We’re going division-by-division, seeded by 2023 order of finish.
Today we have an NFC East Finals matchup...
PHILADELPHIA
Key Adds: LB Bryce Huff (from NYJ), RB Saquon Barkley (from NYG), SAF Chauncey Gardner-Johnson (from DET), LB Devin White (from TB), LB Zack Baun (from NO), WR Parris Campbell (from NYG)
Traded for Kenny Pickett
Key Losses: RB D’Andre Swift (to CHI), SAF Kevin Byard (to CHI), Jason Kelce (retired)
Key Draft Adds: CB Quinyon Mitchell, DB DeJean Cooper, DE Jalyx Hunt, RB Will Shipley, LB Jeremiah Trotter, WR Johnny Wilson, WR Anias Smith
Key Coaching Changes: OC Kellen Moore and D-C Vic Fangio hired.
Outlook: Nothing major lost in free agency but losing Jason Kelce hurts in many ways...not just on the field. So, one major starter lost...but at least two 2024 starters were drafted, and 4-5 starters signed in free agency.
Talent-wise, the Eagles are overall better than they were last year...and their one critical issue they needed to address, they attacked it – drafting two top prospect CBs.
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WASHINGTON
Key Adds: OC Tyler Biadasz (from DAL), DE Dorance Armstrong (from DAL), DE Dante Fowler (from DAL), OG Nick Allegretti (from KC), RB Austin Ekeler (from LAC), LB Bobby Wagner (from SEA), LB Frankie Luvu (from CAR), DB Jeremy Chinn (from CAR), QB Marcus Mariota (from PHI)
Key Losses: WR Curtis Samuel (to BUF), CB Kendall Fuller (to MIA), RB Antonio Gibson (to NE), SAF Kamren Curl (to LAR), QB Jacoby Brissett (to NE), LB Khaleke Hudson (to NO), OL Saahdiq Charles (to TEN)
Key Draft Adds: QB Jayden Daniels, DT Jer’Zahn Newton, DB Mike Sainristil, TE Ben Sinnott, OL Brandon Coleman, WR Luke McCaffrey, LB Jordan Magee
Key Coaching Changes: Whole staff and GM changed, Dan Quinn hired and Adam Peters at GM, and Kliff Kingsbury to O-C.
Outlook: A new GM and coaching staff brings a ton of change in the 2024 offseason, and most of it for the good.
Washington lost 3-4 starters to free agency, a new regime purge...but they went out and got 5-6 starters back in free agency and then they got a real franchise QB in the draft, which is huge enough on its own...but we see 3 +/- other instant starters added via an excellent draft.
Consider anything different than Ron Rivera and Eric Bieniemy are upgrades on the coaching side, and you got one hell of a great offseason.
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Winner (most improved for 2024)...
This is a tough one to decide...both teams attacked the offseason and fixed weak spots and added several starters.
The Eagles signed 4-5 starters for 2024, but only lost one real impact player with the Kelce retirement. Two more instant starters via the draft with the two CBs/DBs added...their main 2023 weak spot (the secondary) was addressed. Altogether, maybe +6-7 starters for 2024 added for Philly.
Washington signed, potentially, 8 starters for 2024 in free agency...but they lost about 5 starters, a +3 net from free agency. But they also killed it in the draft adding 4-5 more instant starters. Altogether, the Commanders netted about +7-8 impact starters for 2024.
Both teams did a terrific job upgrading their personnel, but I’m going to give the advantage/best increase for 2024 impact to the Commanders...
If QB is everything, then huge points scored for Washington by virtue of getting Jayden Daniels. Pickett acquired is good, but not as impactful to 2024 as Daniels added.
If O-Line is the 2nd-most thing in a football team, then Washington added 2 and lost one...a net +1. The Eagles lost Kelce, so a big negative.
Shutdown corner is my 3rd most critical judge of a team...and Philly added one, and Washington lost one.
The personnel increase in these three areas leans to Washington overall, and then add the kicker that the Commanders upgraded their coaching staff and GM from their prior disaster, and Philly is floundering with their staff changes...it all equals up to a win for Washington, and they will now go on to face the NFC West winner in the next round.
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Next Round Matchups...
2nd-Round to come...
NFC North: DET v. GB
NFC South: CAR v. ATL
NFC West: ARI v. LAR
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3rd-Round
AFC East (NYJ) v. AFC West (LAC)
AFC South (TEN) v. AFC North (PIT)
NFC East (WSH) v. NFC West (???)
