Free Agency Strategy
This is probably the biggest difference between the two teams, especially since Howie Roseman regained the GM title in 2016. The philosophy in which each team attacks the off-season has been very different. Take a look at the free-agent signings, Dallas has made since 2016.
Cowboys Past Free Agency Moves
2016
Position Player Years in Dallas
RB Alfred Morris Two Years
DE Cedric Thornton One Year
DE Benson Mayowa Two Years
OL Joe Looney *Still on Team
2017
Position Player Years in Dallas
CB Nolan Carroll One Year
DL Stephen Paea One Year
OL Jonathan Cooper One Year
LB Justin Durant Two Years
2018
Position Player Years in Dallas
WR Allen Hurns One Year
WR Deonte Thompson One Year
OL Cameron Fleming Two Years
OL Marcus Martin One Year
LB Joe Thomas Two Years
2019
Position Player Years in Dallas
WR Randall Cobb One Year
TE Jason Witten One Year
DE Kerry Hyder One Year
DT Christian Covington One Year
You look down the list and only a couple really stand out. Only one of the free agent signings since 2016 is still on the roster.
The Eagles on the other hand have built their roster on free agent acquisitions and high price talent. Seriously, it’s insane how much of the talent has come from free agency. Just take a look at some of the big signings of 2016 and 2017.
Eagles Past Free Agency Moves
2016
Position Player Still On Team?
S Rodney McLeod Yes – Captain
CB Leodis McKelvin No
OL Brandon Brooks Yes
LB Nigel Bradham No (SB Contributor)
2017
Position Player Still On Team?
QB Nick Foles No – SB MVP
WR Alshon Jeffery Yes
DE Chris Long No – SB Contributor
RB LeGarrette Blount No – SB Contributor
CB Patrick Robinson No – SB Contributor
The Eagles have built their roster off of free agent acquisitions. Couple in multiple off-season trades for the likes of top-of-the-mill talent, and the Eagles have built their roster off of bringing in already proven players to immediately fill in holes.
Drafting
The difference in drafting between the two teams is honestly pretty incredible. While the drafting of Derek Barnett in 2017 for the Eagles and Ceedee Lamb of the Cowboys in 2020 are the same thought process (best available player at a position the team doesn’t really need), there are major differences.
Zeke & the RB Committee
Per Spotrac, Zeke is owed more than $15 million per year of his six-year – $90 million dollar deal signed in 2019. Add in the fact that the Eagles haven’t drafted a RB in the first round since Keith Byars in 1986.
The Cowboys drafted Zeke Elliott with the fourth overall selection in 2016.
The Eagles don’t value the RB position very much. The Cowboys have become dependent on one guy.
OL Strategy
Both offensive lines have been historically great. The Cowboys have drafted three All-Pro’s and landed another Pro Bowl player on the OL as an Undrafted Free Agent. Despite this, the Cowboys have not really invested in the offensive line in the last six years. In fact, since 2014, the Cowboys have drafted only three offensive linemen.
The Eagles, on the other hand, have drafted six in the last four years already. The Eagles have valued the depth of the line more than the Cowboys, and it has shown itself why this season. While both offenses have dealt with issues along the line, the Eagles depth has greatly shown.
Gulp…Linebackers
This is one of the biggest differences between the two teams. The Cowboys have invested heavily at the LB position. Drafting Leighton Vander Esch, taking a flyer out an injured Jaylon Smith, or continuing to play Sean Lee, the Cowboys are all about top-talent linebackers.
The Eagles? Welp…..
Quarterback
The Cowboys haven’t drafted a QB in the first round since Quincy Carter. They’ve benefited from mid-round and undrafted talents that have developed into Pro Bowl Caliber players.
The Eagles are the creators of the famed label “QB Factory”.
All jokes aside, the Eagles have invested heavily at the QB position, arguably more than any other team in the NFL. That has led to their first Lombardi Trophy and have been contenders in the modern game.
Overview
The Eagles and Cowboys have been the two most successful teams in the NFC East over the last decade. The Eagles are the only team of the two to have a championship on their belt.
While the teams match up for another NFC East deciding game this Sunday, it’s clear that the difference between the two teams aren’t just based on where their from: it’s how they’ve been built to where each is now.
Photo by Bob Kupbens/Icon Sportswire
