With the NFL offseason entering a relatively calm period in which there aren't many signings/trades going on, and minicamps wrapped up, we're getting ever so close to the 2023 season. It may be too soon to tell, but we thought that some power rankings of the NFC East prior to the start of training camps may be in line.
We haven't seen much of any teams in the division. However, based on how everyone played last season, alongside the moves their front offices have made in the offseason, we can begin to put together a genuine ranking for the NY Giants and their rivals:
4. Washington Commanders
With all due respect, it was incredibly clear which team was going to be in last here. This isn't even necessarily a knock on the Commanders. Not only were they a couple of games out of the playoffs, but they have a very bright future. It's just incredibly unfortunate that the Commanders play in arguably the best division in football.
The Commanders didn't make many massive changes to their roster this offseason. However, considering the amount of talent this team has, it's not the most surprising thing to see. In all reality, had the Commanders not had Carson Wentz or Taylor Heinicke as their QBs for the majority of last season, they very well could have pushed for a playoff spot.
Entering 2023, it seems as if Sam Howell will be the team's starting QB. It seems as if the entire fate of the '23 Commanders rests on the performance of Howell, which is a lot of pressure for a fifth-round pick. The good thing, though, is that Jacoby Brissett will be their backup, and he looked rather good for the Browns last season.
It'll be interesting to see how this team performs. The Commanders have some absolutely incredible talent on both sides of the ball. However, they simply haven't been able to put it all together recently. Maybe 2023 is the year things change. For now, though, they are an obvious last place choice in the power rankings.
3. NY Giants
We hate to put the remaining teams over the Giants. However, they are simply better, for now, than New York. Things can change in the blink of an eye, but for now, we have to put the Giants in at number three.
Similar to the Commanders, this isn't a bad thing at all. Considering the fact that the Giants won nine games and went to the divisional round in what was supposed to be a rebuilding year, having them at three just shows how stacked the division is. Not only did the Giants show tons of promise in 2022, but they also made tons of moves to drastically improve their roster. Some are even saying that they had the best offseason of all teams in the NFL.
This shouldn't come as a surprise. Joe Schoen saw several weaknesses in the team's roster and fixed almost all of them in one offseason. Whether it be trading for Darren Waller, signing Bobby Okereke, or drafting Deonte Banks and John Michael-Schmitz, Schoen had a masterclass of an offseason that could propel the Giants into fringe contenders.
We have few doubts that the Giants could easily propel themselves into second, or maybe even first if we really want to get crazy. However, they almost have to stay at three when you look at the talent the other two teams in the division have compared to them.
2. Dallas Cowboys
We hate to put the Cowboys ahead of the Giants, but considering that they won 12 games last season and made some pretty big improvements, it's hard to deny their spot at number two in the rankings.
This offseason, the Cowboys managed to add some pretty good veterans in positions of need. Most notably Brandin Cooks and Stephon Gilmore. These two may not be as good as they once were. However, this doesn't mean that they won't make a big impact. Dallas already had some deadly WRs and CBs and they just added two very good players at each position.
While their draft selection of Mazi Smith in the first round was a little questionable, it's more on the fact that they had more pressing needs than an interior defensive lineman. Smith looks to be a very solid NFL player, especially on a good team like the Cowboys. Adding this player to a core that already features Micah Parsons and Demarcus Lawrence could make for a deadly trio heading into next season.
Honestly, this team is looking pretty scary heading into Week 1. If Dak Prescott can finally put it all together, there are few things stopping them from making a Super Bowl push. The sheer amount of talent this team has is just ridiculous and is something other NFC teams must monitor in 2023.
1. Philadelphia Eagles
Was there really any doubt? No one likes the Eagles, but there's no questioning their talent. Not only did they make the Super Bowl last season, but they made several moves to bring in some elite young talent to potentially keep their championship hopes going for a very long time. However, things could shift in the NFC East considering some of the talent they lost on the defensive side of the ball.
Not only did the Eagles lose C.J Gardner-Johnson, but they lost T.J Edwards as well. Alongside this, Darius Slay reportedly wanted out at one point. While it seems as if this issue has been resolved, it's still something to monitor during the 2023 season. Despite this, the Eagles still have a ridiculously talented defense that just got some incredible talent in the draft.
The Eagles had the best pass-rushing unit in the NFL last season and added Jalen Carter, arguably the best player in this year's draft class, and Nolan Smith, an interesting player with tons of upside as an athlete. Considering that they already have Brandon Graham, Fletcher Cox, Jordan Davis, Hasson Reddick, and Josh Sweat, this team is going to be terrifying to play.
There are few weaknesses on this Eagles team, and any time it seems like a weakness pops up, it's plugged by someone drafted or brought in by Howie Roseman. The job he's done since taking the reigns as GM is incredible and deserves praise.
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