2022 NFL Offseason Series: NFC East
By:
Michael Ginnitti
Published: January 5, 2022
Assessing the upcoming offseason for each 2022 NFC East team, broken down by division, including projected cap space, players under contract, notable free agents, potential extension candidates, franchise tag possibilities, & trade/cut options.
Dallas Cowboys
Projected Top 51 Cap Space: -$11M
Under Contract (42): FULL ROSTER
2022 Dead Cap: $7M
Notable Restricted Free Agents: Luke Gifford (LB, 26)
Notable Unrestricted Free Agents: Michael Gallup (WR, 25),
Randy Gregory (OLB, 29),
Dalton Schultz (TE, 25),
Jayron Kearse (S, 27),
Connor Williams (G, 24),
FULL LIST
Franchise Tag Candidate: Dalton Schultz (TE, 25), projected $11M
Draft Picks: R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R5 (COMP), R6
EXTENSION CANDIDATES
Dalton Schultz (TE, 25)
Schultz has 140 catches , 1400 yards, and 10 TDs in the past two seasons, taking over for the injured Blake Jarwin in each. Jarwin's contract can be moved on from this March, paving the way for a franchise tag and subsequent extension for Schultz. He projects to 4 years, $51M.
Connor Williams (G, 24)
The Cowboys are simply a better offensive line with Williams in it, specifically at left guard. He's set to hit the open market this March, and
Connor McGovern has 1 year left on his team-friendly rookie contract, but with Dallas in win-now mode, shoring up the best O-Line possible seems the right play. Williams projects to 4 years, $53M.
POTENTIAL TRADES/CUTS
Blake Jarwin (TE, 27)
Jarwin has bigtime production ability, but back to back injured seasons, and the emergence of Dalton Schultz, puts his 2 years, $11.5M remaining on notice. There's $4.25M of cap space to be cleared with an early release.
New York Giants
Projected Top 51 Cap Space: $2.8M
Under Contract (43): FULL ROSTER
2022 Dead Cap: $289k
Notable Restricted Free Agents: None.
Notable Unrestricted Free Agents: Evan Engram (TE, 27),
Nate Solder (OT, 33),
Jabrill Peppers (S, 26),
FULL LIST
Potential Franchise Tag: None.
Draft Picks: R1, R1 (CHI), R2, R3, R3 (MIA), R4 (CHI), R5, R5 (KC), R6
EXTENSION CANDIDATES
James Bradberry (CB, 28)
After a strong 2020 campaign with the Giants, Bradberry’s 2021 numbers have admittedly dipped, but the Giants don’t appear headed for a rip the band-aid off rebuild, so keeping the veteran in the fold makes sense. Bradberry projects to a $12.5M per year extension.
Saquon Barkley (RB, 24)
While this certainly doesn’t seem likely right now, with the QB position in disarray, locking in a potential high-ceiling weapon like Barkley isn’t completely out of the question. With 2 years, $17M (fully guaranteed) remaining on his rookie contract, and a franchise tag available thereafter if necessary, the only logical reason to extend Barkley now is to have control over his cap hits ($10M in 2022, $7.2M in 2023). Barkley projects to a $5.2M per year extension.
POTENTIAL TRADES/CUTS
Sterling Shepard (WR, 28)
There's a lot to like about Shepard, but he's failed to complete a full season for three straight years now, and with Golladay & Toney now in the mix, his role was already in line to be diminished. Both sides could stand for a change of scenery, and the Giants can free up $4.5M with an early release, $8.5M after June 1st.
Kyle Rudolph (TE, 32)
Rudolph's cap number jumps up $3M in 2022 ($7.425M), and when factoring in minimal production in 2021, and the Giants snug with cap space, there's little reason to believe he remains in his contract. New York can free up $5M of space by moving on.
Blake Martinez (LB, 27)
Martinez was good in 2020, but a torn ACL cut his 2021 campaign short after just 3 weeks. He's a player who can still contribute when healthy, but a $14M cap figure for 2022 right now has to be addressed somehow. Moving on frees up $8.5M.
Philadelphia Eagles
Projected Top 51 Cap Space: $13.8M
Under Contract (37): FULL ROSTER
2022 Dead Cap: $22M
Notable Restricted Free Agents: Boston Scott (RB, 26),
Nate Herbig (G, 23),
Greg Ward (WR, 26),
FULL LIST
Notable Unrestricted Free Agents: Jason Kelce (C, 34),
Derek Barnett (DE, 25)
, Anthony Harris (S, 30),
Steven Nelson (CB, 28),
FULL LIST
Franchise Tag Candidate: None.
Draft Picks: R1 (MIA), R1, R1 (IND), R2, R3, R4, R5 (WSH), R5, R5 (ARI), R6 (IND), R6 (TB)
EXTENSION CANDIDATES
Isaac Seumalo (OL, 28)
Seumalo hit the IR after just 3 weeks with broken bones in his foot, but there’s a long-term spot for him on this O-Line, at the very least in a versatile reserve role. With experience at center, and Jason Kelce headed for potential retirement, it makes sense to tag on a few years to the 1 year, $5.6M left on his current deal.
Miles Sanders (RB, 24)
Between Hurts, Sanders, Scott, & Howard, the Eagles have benefited from a rush-by-committee in 2021. Sanders carries team friendly cap hits of $1.4M, $1.7M through 2023, so there’s no rush to lock in a deal on paper, but jumping in early on this deal could provide value in years 3 & 4. 3 years, $12.5M is the current projection.
POTENTIAL TRADES/CUTS
Gardner Minshew (QB, 25)
The Eagles acquired minshew just prior to Week 1 for a 6th round pick, and he looked every bit the part in limited snaps behind Jalen Hurts this season. It's tough to guage where the QB position is going for Philly, who have overachieved a bit in 2021, but could very much be in the running for one of the splashy veteran names being thrown around. In any sense, Minshew may be a wanted man by teams in much more need at the position, and his 1 year minimum salary should be very tradable.
Washington Football Team
Projected Top 51 Cap Space: $59M
Under Contract (36): FULL ROSTER
2022 Dead Cap: $702k
Notable Restricted Free Agents: Kyle Allen (QB, 25),
FULL LIST
Notable Unrestricted Free Agents: Brandon Scherff (G, 29),
Cornelius Lucas (OT, 30),
J.D. McKissic (RB, 28),
FULL LIST
Franchise Tag Candidate: None.
Draft Picks: R1, R2, R3, R4, R6, R7
EXTENSION CANDIDATES
Terry McLaurin (WR, 26)
McLaurin becomes extension eligible after 2021, and has established himself as the clearcut #1 weapon for the WFT. The 26 year old averages 14 yards per catch, and currently values at $18M per year. With question marks at the QB position, he may not be ready to lock in long-term this offseason.
Brandon Scherff (G, 29)
Scherff is a pending UFA having played out an $18M 2nd franchise tag in 2021. It’ll take topping Joe Thuney’s 5 year, $80M contract in Kansas City to vie for his services going forward.
Montez Sweat (DE, 25)
The former 1st round pick becomes extension eligible after 2021, and should be next in line to cash in on the defensive line in Washington.
Trey Hendrickson's recent 4 yr, $60M becomes a baseline for Sweat, who holds a $17.5M valuation heading toward the offseason.
POTENTIAL TRADES/CUTS
Matthew Ioannidis (DT, 27)
The WFT's D-Line is loaded with youngsters, most of which are nearing the point of their big-time extensions. With pass-rush production all but diminished over the past two seasons, Ioannidis' trade or release can free up $6.9M of cap & cash this offseason.
