What separates the Philadelphia Eagles from the Dallas Cowboys?

NFL: OCT 04 Eagles at 49ers
SANTA CLARA, CA – OCTOBER 04: Philadelphia Eagles players celebrate a touchdown during the NFL football game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the San Francisco 49ers on October 4, 2020 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, CA. (Photo by Bob Kupbens/Icon Sportswire)

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.

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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