How do the Washington Commanders' position groups on offense stack up against their NFC East rivals heading into the upcoming 2023 season?
Ah, July 2023. My pour-over tastes better and my comb-over looks better this morning. The notorious D.C. humidity has temporarily drained from the air and no one – not a soul – is protesting outside any branch of government. Now that there is a new owner in town, I, like most Washington Commanders fans, am expecting a run of at least 10 straight Super Bowls.
But one of my killjoy “expert” friends tells me that the players still have to compete on the field. With that in mind, let's take a look at how this year's Commanders stack up against the rest of the NFC East on a position-by-position basis.
We’ll start with the offense. A contentious point for the Commanders given how poorly it performed last season thanks to subpar quarterback play and an offensive line not fit for purpose.
I’m going to give away the end right up front. The Philadelphia Eagles are going to come on top in this “on paper” analysis. And the Dallas Cowboys are going to be dissed big-time. I’m sorry, but 50 years of hearing how they are a team of destiny may be showing through.
As a whole, they are the most overrated franchise in any major North American sport. The New York Knicks are second.
Anyway, with those spoilers out of the way, let’s look at each position group in the NFC East.
Commanders position groups vs. NFC East - OL
1. Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles have built the best offensive line football by blending two Pro Football Hall of Fame caliber vets (Jason Kelce and Lane Johnson) with young All-Pro caliber players (Landon Dickerson and Jordan Mailata). Their biggest concern this year will be replacing the fifth member of that line – left guard Isaac Seumalo, who signed as a free agent with the Pittsburgh Steelers this off-season.
Cam Jurgens or Tyler Steen – both Day 2 draft picks from quality college programs could take over. The former is likely to be Kelce's eventual replacement at center and the latter is slated to take over at tackle when Johnson calls it quits. But for now, either could play guard.
This being the Eagles, they have a plan in place for this year, and for the future. They always have to be concerned about Johnson’s lingering ankle issues, and so Steen may be pressed into service at tackle earlier than expected. But unless they suffer multiple major injuries along the line as happened in 2020, Philadelphia should be fine.
2. Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys barely edge out the totally rebuilt New York Giants for the second spot. A lot will depend on whether mammoth Matt Waletzko is ready to take over at right tackle. Projected starter Terence Steele is recovering from a devastating knee injury suffered late last season and his status is very much in doubt.
If Waletzko can play – or if Steele makes a remarkable recovery – they join the two Smiths – Tyler and Tyron on the left side of the line, and all-world guard Zach Martin to form a potentially excellent front five.
Tyler Biadasz is a serviceable center. Losing Steele hurts the depth a lot, and if Waletzko falters, Tyler Smith will have to shift back to tackle which would weaken the interior a lot.
3. New York Giants
It’s hard to remember that a few short years ago, this was arguably the worst line in the NFL. But good drafting and targeted free-agent signings have turned it around. Getting rid of Dave Gettleman didn’t hurt, either.
The only reason I have them ranked behind Dallas is that New York will be leaning heavily on two extremely talented, but inexperienced, players. If rookie center John Michael Schmitz - who I kind of think the Commanders should have taken in Round 2 - and second-year right tackle Evan Neal step up as expected, this line could be special.
Andrew Thomas has overcome his shaky rookie season to become one of the league’s best left tackles and veteran Mark Glowinski is a solid guard. The other guard spot is a concern right now.
The Giants hope that someone steps up from a group that includes Ben Bredeson, Josh Ezeudu, and even Shane Lemieux. I think either of the first two can fill the gap pretty well.
4. Washington Commanders
There’s a lot of wishful thinking going on within the Washington Commanders. If new free agents Andrew Wylie and Nick Gates can blend in at right tackle and center - if Sam Cosmi can stay healthy and justify his lofty draft status at right guard - if they miraculously find someone/anyone to give them quality snaps at left guard – then maybe this could be a decent line.
The Commanders may not be as reliant on health as the other teams in the division because the drop-off from the starters to the backups isn’t as pronounced. But that’s because those starters, though decent, are not special.
If rookies Ricky Stromberg and Braeden Daniels are able to start by the end of the year, that would be a major step toward rebuilding a current liability.
Commanders position groups vs. NFC East - TE
1. Philadelphia Eagles
Dallas Goedert is the best tight end in the division. Hence, the Philadelphia Eagles have the best tight ends in the division. It’s that simple.
They also have Jack Stoll, who does for Philadelphia what John Bates does for the Washington Commanders. The Eagles also added red zone threat Dan Arnold as another receiving option.
2. New York Giants
Darren Waller is a huge question mark. He began as a mostly-failed receiver before transitioning to tight end with the Las Vegas Raiders and showing the potential to be the best big-play tight end in the league. But he turns 31 years old this season and has had some injury issues, so the New York Giants can’t be sure just what they are getting.
Daniel Bellinger is a decent second option who can line up in-line or out wide. Baltimore’s Lawrence Cager is an intriguing pass-catching option if Waller falters.
3. Washington Commanders
Logan Thomas isn’t as dynamic as Waller, but some of the same questions apply. At 32 years old and coming off several injuries, can he remain a reliable first option for the Commanders?
If he can’t, there’s really no one to take over.
John Bates is a good in-line blocker, but the loss of Armani Rogers took away the Commanders' most exciting young option. Maybe second-year player Cole Turner can emerge this season.
If Thomas returns to form, this is a solid position. If not, this is a potential sinkhole.
4. Dallas Cowboys
If rookie Luke Schoonmaker lives up to his second-round draft pedigree, the Dallas Cowboys move up. But recent history suggests that it is almost impossible for rookie tight ends to have a major impact, no matter how talented.
So the Cowboys are left with mediocre young vets Jake Ferguson and Peyton Hendershot to fill in until Schoonmaker rounds into form.
Commanders position groups vs. NFC East - WR
1. Washington Commanders
Curtis Samuel should benefit a great deal from having Eric Bieniemy designing plays. Previous offensive coordinator Scott Turner seemed destined to force-feed him on screens and sweeps that never worked.
Bieniemy has juggled receivers in the Samuel mode for years with the Kansas City Chiefs, and seems to always get the best out of them. If he works his magic with the dynamic weapon, this could be the best trio of wideouts in the league.
Terry McLaurin is already one of the best and Jahan Dotson shows signs of being a big-time playmaker. There is even renewed hope that Dyami Brown could live up to his third-round draft status now that he will be reunited with college quarterback Sam Howell.
2. Philadelphia Eagles
If McLaurin isn’t the best receiver in the division, that honor goes to A.J. Brown. They are very different players, but to me, they are just about even. And Devonta Smith should continue to improve just as Washington’s Dotson will.
The Philadelphia Eagles are less certain about what they are getting at the third position. Quez Watkins played there last year, and he may again shift in and out of the slot in 2023. But I suspect free agent pick-up Olamide Zacchaeus will eventually take over.
He is a more classic slot receiver and should give the Eagles a dynamic trio to rival the Commanders.
3. Dallas Cowboys
I know there are plenty of Dallas Cowboys fans who think CeeDee Lamb is better than McLaurin and Brown – combined. That’s standard No. 88-overhype.
Don’t get me wrong, Lamb is good. Maybe very good. But I think he will need to be paired with a better second-receiving option in order to really become the dominant player every Cowboys fan thinks he is. As of now, he doesn’t have that.
Will it be Brandin Cooks this year? Maybe. He is a good deep threat. But this will be his fifth team in 10 years and you have to ask some questions about him.
Maybe Michael Gallup will stay healthy this year and be that second option. Or maybe the freakishly athletic Simi Fehoko will emerge, and … You know what, that’s a lot of ifs in Dallas.
4. New York Giants
On paper, the New York Giants receivers don’t scare anyone. Darius Slayton is too streaky. Sterling Shepard is too old. Wan’Dale Robinson is too injured. Parris Campbell never lived up to his potential on the Indianapolis Colts.
Yet somehow, a guy like Isaiah Hodgins manages to catch a crucial touchdown against the Commanders when it really matters. I still don’t think the Giants have a very good receiving corps, but I’ve learned not to totally discount them.
Commanders position groups vs. NFC East - RB
1. New York Giants
Each team in the NFC East has a pretty good lead running back. Saquon Barkley is the best, and I don’t think it’s all that close.
Barkley appears fully healthy now. He finally has a quality offensive line. And he is playing for a contract. All that adds up to a big year.
Behind him, the New York Giants still have veteran Matt Brieda and added rookie Eric Gray, who could be a solid receiving option. As of now, Barkley has yet to sign his franchise tag offer, and there are rumors that he is considering sitting out the season.
Obviously, the Giants fall from first to worst should that happen. But it seems unlikely.
2. Philadelphia Eagles
D’Andre Swift is better than Miles Sanders. Rashad Penny is better than … well, the Philadelphia Eagles didn’t really have a backup running back in 2022. That production went to Jalen Hurts.
They rebuilt the running back room this offseason, which should take some pressure off Hurts and make the whole offense better. By the way, they still have their second and third running backs from last year (Boston Scott and Kenneth Gainwell) just in case.
3. Washington Commanders
I think Brian Robinson Jr. is the real deal and will have a big year in 2023. I think Eric Bieniemy will find creative ways to use Antonio Gibson, which will mitigate the loss of J.D. McKissic.
And I think the Washington Commanders have solid bruisers in Chris Rodriguez Jr. and Jonathan Williams to relieve some of the wear and tear from Robinson. All told, this is an underrated group.
4. Dallas Cowboys
I know – I didn’t acknowledge CeeDee Lamb’s majesty, and now I seem to be doing the same with Tony Pollard. I just want to see how he functions as the undisputed lead back.
Maybe he will shine. But Pollard wouldn’t be the first player to take a step back when he was asked to carry a bigger load.
Behind him, Ronald Jones has always been a bit of a dart throw. I’m not sure there’s much left there. I do like the acquisition of Deuce Vaughn as a third-down back. I kind of wish the Commanders had drafted him.
Commanders position groups vs. NFC East - QB
1. Philadelphia Eagles
I suppose there are skeptics who will demand quarterback Jalen Hurts replicate his glorious 2022 season before anointing him among the league’s best. But I think we’ve seen enough.
Even if he takes a small step back in 2023 - which, statistically could happen, given the new running backs - Hurts is clearly the best quarterback in the division, and probably the best in the entire NFC conference. The Philadelphia Eagles even seem to have added the ideal backup this year in Marcus Mariota.
2. Dallas Cowboys
Dak Prescott was a talented-but-inconsistent quarterback coming out of Mississippi State. He remains that to this day.
The good Prescott is a well-above-average player. But you don’t always get the good. I think his success in 2023 will be largely dependent on how well the offensive line plays in front of him.
If they stay healthy and productive, Prescott should shine. If not, I expect we’ll see a lot of mistakes.
The Dallas Cowboys have a backup in Cooper Rush who would rather be an understudy for "America's Team" than a starter anywhere else. That’s a pretty sweet deal for the franchise.
3. New York Giants
Daniel Jones has played behind some of the worst offensive lines in the league. He has also thrown to some of the least dynamic receivers in the league.
The former first-rounder is clearly not an elite quarterback. But he has the skill set to be very effective if you give him a little more to work with. And Jones has had no trouble beating the Washington Commanders' vaunted defense.
Tyrod Taylor is a quality veteran backup. But if he ever had to take over for an extended period, he would probably suffer an injury as well, leaving Will Grier as the signal caller.
4. Washington Commanders
We all hope Sam Howell will soar to the rafters. I think there’s a pretty good chance it could happen. But until we see it, he is in fourth place. Jacoby Brissett rounds out the division’s quality crop of backups.
If you add it all up – in a system that I have devised myself in secret, which values the quarterback position more than any of the others - I get the Eagles way out in front, with the Giants surprisingly in second, just edging out the Cowboys, and the Commanders bringing up the rear.
But that’s just offense. Next time, we’ll look at defense and special teams.