NFC East rookie check-in: Cowboys on top after preseason

Preseason football may be over, but evaluations continue, especially for younger players.

Here's how each rookie class in the NFC East has fared thus far:

Dallas Cowboys

Quality offensive linemen are a must for NFL teams and the Cowboys appear to have gotten two in this year’s draft. Tyler Guyton, the team’s first-round pick, had an excellent camp, locking up the starting left tackle spot long before Chuma Edoga suffered a toe injury in the preseason opener.

Cooper Beebe, a third-round pick and two-time Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year, started camp behind center Brock Hoffman, but started getting first-team reps after his first preseason game and was held out of the team’s final preseason game on Saturday.

Defensively, Dallas may have done even better. Per Pro Football Focus , second-round defensive end Marshawn Kneeland had three solo tackles, three stops and a pair of hurries in 26 preseason snaps. Fifth-round cornerback Caelen Carson had six tackles (four solo) in his first preseason game against the Rams and Marist Liufau, another third-round pick, looks to be the team’s starting strongside linebacker.  | Complete class from ESPN

New York Giants

First-round pick Malik Nabers may only have four receptions on six targets this preseason, but catches like this don’t jump out on the stat sheet:

Nabers is just what the Giants’ 31st-ranked passing offense needed this offseason. New York also needs to replace the 962 rushing yards it received from running back Saquon Barkley, who signed with Philadelphia.

Undrafted free agent Dante Miller and fifth-round pick Tyrone Tracy Jr. both averaged over five yards per carry in the team’s first preseason game. Tracy missed the next two games with injury, but Miller led the team with 14 carries against the Lions on Saturday.

Defensively, third-round cornerback Dru Phillips is listed as the team’s primary nickel back, and while a calf injury has limited second-round safety Tyler Nubin, his physical play has been a bright spot in camp. | Complete class from ESPN

Philadelphia Eagles

Don’t let the depth chart fool you. First-round cornerback Quinyon Mitchell isn’t playing the slot because he can’t handle the outside; he’s learning a new position to help get Isaiah Rodgers on the field opposite Darius Slay.

After allowing the second-most passing yards per game (252.7) in 2023, Philadelphia wants all three on the field as much as possible and so far, Mitchell has had no trouble adjusting to the nickel position.

Fifth-round linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. seems equally comfortable following in his father’s famous footsteps. Trotter has six solo tackles and a sack in two preseason games and appears ready to shed the “project” label he brought with him to Philadelphia.

On the other hand, late-round wide receivers like Ainias Smith and Johnny Wilson have underwhelmed and project to become members of the practice squad after the team’s recent trade for Commanders wide receiver Jahan Dotson. | Complete class from ESPN

Washington Commanders

There’s no way Washington let Dotson go without having confidence in third-round pick Luke McCaffrey. Offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury has used McCaffrey all over the field in practices and, per Lynnell Willingham of 106.7 The Fan , plugged him as the team’s No. 3 receiver once Dotson was moved.

Of course, he’ll have to fight for targets with third-round tight end Ben Sinnott, who could push veteran Zach Ertz for playing time after posting three receptions for 57 yards against the Jets.

All three will catch passes from Jayden Daniels, the second overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. He was named the starting quarterback after going 12-for-15 for 123 yards in two preseason games. And Daniels will have his blindside protected by a third-round rookie in Week 1.

Brandon Coleman earned the starting left tackle job in practice, but missed the team’s first two preseason games with a shoulder and pectoral strain. He sat out Sunday’s game against the Patriots as well, but should be good to go against the Buccaneers in Week 1. | Complete class from ESPN