Philadelphia Eagles
Re-grade: B- |
Offseason grade: C+
The decision to keep backup quarterback
Nick Foles for the 2018 season instead of trading him worked well for the Eagles, who wound up needing Foles -- and winning in the postseason with him -- for a second season.
The Eagles' original grade reflected concerns that team chemistry could suffer after Philadelphia moved on from players such as
Vinny Curry, Brent Celek and
Mychal Kendricks while welcoming veteran outsiders such as
Michael Bennettand
Haloti Ngata. Those concerns seemed justified when center
Jason Kelceexpounded on the subject following the Eagles' slow start, but Philly righted itself and still won a playoff game.
Daryl Worley, released following his offseason DUI arrest, did not.
With second-round tight end
Dallas Goedert (33 catches, 334 yards, four touchdowns) contributing, the Eagles did not suffer from trading their first-round pick to Baltimore. That move also helped the Eagles net fourth-round corner
Avonte Maddox, plus a 2019 second-round choice.
New York Giants
Re-grade: B- |
Offseason grade: C
The grade remains a middling one because the Giants had a chance to address their quarterback future and punted, for better or worse.
Eli Manning's increased effectiveness over the season's second half was not enough for GM Dave Gettleman to publicly commit to him for 2019.
The grade does rise slightly because the Giants' draft looks strong and their decision to bypass quarterbacks Sam Darnold,
Josh Allen and
Josh Rosen with the second overall pick has not yet proved to be as disastrous as critics think it could become.
While none of those quarterbacks has proved himself yet,
Saquon Barkleyinstantly became a star for the Giants, overshadowing third-round picks
B.J. Hill and
Lorenzo Carter, who both ranked in the top 10 in sacks among rookies. Barkley led the league in yards from scrimmage and became the fourth player in league history with at least 1,300 yards rushing and 90 receptions.
Will Hernandez should also help stabilize the line in the future.
Washington Commanders
Re-grade: C+ |
Offseason grade: B
The original grade did not cover the period years ago when Washington botched the Cousins negotiations. On the re-grade, we cannot hold
Alex Smith's career-threatening injury against the Commanders. Their decision to sign Smith made sense under the circumstances.
Losing second-round running back
Derrius Guice to a season-ending injury before Week 1 dealt another serious blow without reflecting negatively on the decision-making process.
The re-grade falls some because critics who said the Commanders should have drafted the more dynamic Derwin James over
Daron Payne could be correct, even though Payne looks like a good player, and because free-agent receiving addition
Paul Richardson (five years, $40 million) failed to produce before suffering his own season-ending injury in his first year with the team.
Adrian Peterson's late signing produced a 1,000-yard rushing season that exceeded all realistic expectations.
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Eagles B-
Giants B-
Commanders C+
Cowboys C