The start of Dallas Cowboys training camp is just about three weeks away, meaning now is the right time to catch up on offseason developments around the NFC East.
Over the past few months, Dallas has looked at multiple avenues to strengthen its roster after another double-digit win campaign was halted by a sour postseason exit. The Cowboys weren’t the only team in the division to suffer a divisional round playoff loss, as the New York Giants ran into some trouble in the same round against the Philadelphia Eagles.
New York is looking at head coach Brian Daboll to lead another playoff push in his second year in charge. Here are a few things to know about the Giants’ offseason:
1. Daniel Jones’ new contract looks familiar
Daniel Jones had a breakout year for the Giants last season, earning himself a new deal to stay on as one of the offense’s leaders.
Jones signed a four-year, $160 million contract after posting 3,205 passing yards to go with 15 touchdowns and five interceptions. He also stepped up as a dual-threat, rushing for 708 yards with seven scores on the ground.
Do those contract figures seem familiar? It’s probably because Dak Prescott was given a similar deal in 2021. The Cowboys signal caller agreed to a four-year deal worth $160 million with what was then an NFL-record $126 million in guaranteed money.
The Giants had refused to pick up the fifth-year option on Jones’ rookie contract before the start of last season. He was set to become an unrestricted free agent on March 15.
Jones’ new deal allows the Giants to reduce his cap number in this and subsequent seasons. The franchise was also able to bring back another one of its important offensive pieces, but that player wasn’t signed to a long-term contract.
2. Saquon Barkley is holding out
The Giants used the franchise tag on their running back around the same time Jones was extended. Saquon Barkley was one of six players to receive the franchise tag designation this offseason, joining Dallas’ Tony Pollard.
Unlike the Cowboys’ presumed No. 1 rusher, Barkley hasn’t signed the tag. Pollard has been active and near his team this offseason as he continues to rehab from a fractured fibula and high ankle sprain in his left leg. Barkley, on the other hand, doesn’t seem too sure about his immediate future with the Giants.
“I think they’re open to talking. I’m open to talking,” Barkley told ESPN’s Jordan Raanan on June 11. “I think at the end of the day, if you really break it down and look at it as a whole, there is no rush. There is still time on the table to get to July 17. July 17 is not tomorrow. It’s not in a week. That is how I look at it. Maybe that is the naïve way to look at it, I could be completely wrong. But for me, that’s how I look at it. I could be completely wrong. Hopefully. I trust in the Giants that we could get something done.”
Both teams have until the date mentioned by Barkley to reach extensions with their running backs.
3. Targeting some needs in the draft
New York used its early picks to shore up shakey spots on its roster, starting with first-rounder Deonte Banks. After drafting the Maryland cornerback, the Giants selected Minnesota offensive lineman John Michael Schmitz in the second round and Tennesee receiver Jalin Hyatt in the third round.
According to ESPN’s Mel Kiper, some of the team’s top needs entering the draft were at cornerback, center and receiver. Kiper gave the Giants high praise for their selections, giving their draft class an A-minus.
“This class is lifted up by those first three picks, which all fit positions of need,” Kiper said. “Nice job by [general manager Joe] Schoen and [Brian] Daboll.”
The Giants also found a new piece for their backfield, taking Oklahoma running back Eric Gray in the fifth round. NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein compared Gray to former Eagles running back Miles Sanders, calling him a “decisive, creative runner with the size and skill set for three-down consideration on the pro level.”
The Giants’ 2023 draft class was rounded out by defensive back Trey Hawkins (sixth round), defensive tackle Jordan Riley (seventh round) and safety Gervarrius Owens (seventh round).
4. Who stays and who goes?
The Giants worked through the offseason to strengthen the roster around Jones, adding a few new pieces at tight end and receiver. One of their biggest splashes took place in March when Schoen sent a third-round pick to the Las Vegas Raiders for Pro Bowler Darren Waller.
When healthy, Waller has proven to be a productive pass catcher. In seven professional seasons, he has recorded 3,572 receiving yards and 19 touchdowns. He has two 1,000-yard seasons (2019 and 2020) under his belt.
The franchise also made the middle of its defense a priority, signing former Colts linebacker Bobby Okereke to a four-year, $40 million deal in March. The 26-year-old could provide a veteran presence in a spot where some issues were prevalent.
Other offseason additions for the Giants include: WR Jamison Crowder, WR Parris Campbell, CB Amani Oruwariye, S Bobby McCain, WR Jeff Smith, DT Rakeem Nunez-Roches, CB Leonard Johnson and TE Tommy Sweeney.
New York also re-signed a number of veterans like Darius Slayton, Sterling Shepard, Isaiah Hodgins, Jihad Ward, Matt Breida and Jarrad Davis.
Offseason losses include: Nick Gates, Jon Feliciano, Julian Love, Richie James, Nicholas Williams and Henry Mondeaux.
5. Can New York make a postseason return?
Last season, the upstart Giants defeated the Minnesota Vikings in the wild-card round to claim their first postseason victory in 11 years. Although they were thrashed by the Eagles the following weekend, the Giants came away with something to build on.
It’s been a while since New York has made consecutive playoff trips. Before 2022, their last winning season came in 2016 when they went 11-5 and fell in the wild-card round to Green Bay.
To find a consistent stretch of postseason appearances, look back to the mid-to-late 2000s. The franchise was a playoff participant from 2005-2008, winning Super Bowl XLII in 2007 with an upset of a dominant New England Patriots squad.
After a strong offseason, will the Giants find themselves playing significant football games again next January?
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