NFC East Divisional Podcast Recap for 2026 (Fantasy Football)
Welcome to the NFC East! In this division, it seems like two teams battle it out each year, and the other two… don’t. Over the last ten years, either the Philadelphia Eagles or the Dallas Cowboys have taken the division, except in 2020, when the Washington Commanders came out on top. The New York Giants? They haven’t won the division since 2011.
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Let’s Get Divisional – NFC East
Philadelphia Eagles (11-6)
- Player Additions: QB Andy Dalton, WR Marquise Brown, WR Dontayvion Wicks, RB Elijah Mitchell
- Player Subtractions: WR A.J. Brown, WR Jahan Dotson
- Rookies: WR Makai Lemon, TE Eli Stowers
- 2026 Vegas Projected Win Total: 10.5
- 2025 Offensive Ranks:
The Philadelphia Eagles have a unique situation in that they have been one of the healthiest teams in football for the last two years. Rather than injuries, what plagues them is their inconsistency at OC. Whether it is because they are leaving for better coaching gigs or they are getting canned, the team has brought in new OCs every year for the past four years. This makes expectations and team predictability slightly more ambiguous, and it is tough on the players. Add that to the fact that Jalen Hurts’ consistency rankings have plummeted, Saquon Barkley left us disappointed last year, and the team traded away their best WR in A.J. Brown, and it does not give the most confidence that this offense is going to blow us away.
What are we doing with Jalen Hurts? Historically, his secret sauce has been his run game with the help of the tush push on the goal line. Since his sophomore year, he has had double-digit rushing TDs every year – until 2025. He had only eight rushing TDs on the season, and saw his fewest carries inside the five-yard line since 2021. On top of that, his rushing yards consistently declined over the past five seasons. It is reasonable to say that Hurts probably will not be a top-three guy moving forward with the decrease in rushing, but we are betting on his rushing TDs to come back up past double digits and put him in a position to score more fantasy points. Right now his ADP is fair, and you can be comfortable taking him in the sixth round.
Likely everyone’s biggest question around the Eagles is, can Saquon Barkley bounce back in 2026? The simple answer is yes; it is in the range of outcomes. However, the reality is that Saquon is 29 and getting older. Last year, we saw far fewer explosive runs from Saquon, one rushing TD, and out of 55 qualified RBs, he ranked 48th in percentage of runs stuffed at the line of scrimmage, 48th in Rush Success Rate, and 42nd in yards after contact. With the loss of A.J. Brown and the potential for a less successful passing game, it could mean another disappointing year.
One of fantasy football's biggest questions this year… will Saquon Barkley bounce back?https://t.co/CLzNSj4E76
— Fantasy Footballers (@TheFFBallers) July 24, 2026
WR DeVonta Smith will move into the WR1 role on the Eagles and in fantasy. When A.J. Brown has missed games in the past, he steps up. But his ADP is on the rise while rookie WR Makai Lemon is still hanging out under the radar. He is being taken in the mid-to-late seventh round as a first-round WR with a world of opportunity. If he remains undervalued, be sure to pick him up.
Let’s not forget about TE Dallas Goedert. With open opportunities, there is plenty of potential for him to become the number two target for Hurts. Especially as a trusted veteran while rookies Lemon and Eli Stowers grow into the offense, he could be a guy to take a shot at in later rounds.
Dallas Cowboys (7-9-1)
- Player Additions: WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling
- Player Subtractions: RB Miles Sanders, WR Jalen Tolbert
- Rookies: TE Michael Trigg
- 2026 Vegas Projected Win Total: 8.5
- 2025 Offensive Ranks:
The beauty of the Dallas Cowboys is that while their offense is gas, their defense is a big fart fest. Last year, they allowed the most points in franchise history, forcing them to respond by slinging the ball: they averaged 59 combined points, the sixth-highest total of any team in the last 25 years. Because of this, the offense is coming back relatively unchanged, giving us confidence in another top-tier performance in 2026.
QB Dak Prescott impressed last year, leading the NFL in completions and setting career highs in passing yards and attempts. He had 13 passing TDs inside the five-yard line, which was second-most on the season. The question is, can Dak keep up this high level of play? With the return of his trusted WRs Ceedee Lamb and George Pickens, we think so. One thing to be wary of that Andy pointed out – when the Cowboys won, Dak scored an average of 24 fantasy points, but when they lost, Dak scored an average of 12.7 fantasy points. This is the largest split of any QB in the top-15. This means, if you take Dak as your QB1, you need to be more aware of the schedule and be prepared to take a streaming QB when the matchup is unfavorable. He is being drafted as the QB11 right now, which still makes him a solid pick opportunity/cost-wise.
Lamb and Pickens are exciting prospects again this year. Together, they will perform well. If one or the other misses a game, the remaining player has the potential to go nuclear. This, combined with the decent running game by Javonte Williams, makes taking them both at their current ADP a no-brainer.
this duo will combine for __ TDs in 2026 🏈 pic.twitter.com/OozavyXVuE
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) July 16, 2026
Speaking of RB Javonte Williams, Andy played a fun game with Mike and Jason this episode. The game is called Boring or Exciting? Here we go, Mike and Jason, do you want boring Javonte or exciting…
- Cam Skattebo? Jason takes Cam, and Mike takes Javonte.
- Jeremiyah Love? Mike takes Love.
- TreVeyon Henderson? Jason takes TreVeyon, and Mike takes Javonte (?!)
- Quinshon Judkins? Jason and Mike take Javonte
The lesson: Sure, he is boring, but Javonte is the guy for this team and, barring injury, he is a consistent start every week.
When it comes to TE Jake Ferguson, keep an eye out in case either Lamb or Pickens go down to injury. Otherwise, you do not need him to take up a roster spot.
Washington Commanders (5-12)
- Player Additions: TE Chig Okonkwo, RB Rachaad White, WR Van Jefferson
- Player Subtractions: WR Deebo Samuel, TE Zach Ertz, RB Austin Ekeler, RB Chris Rodriguez Jr.
- Rookies: WR Antonio Williams, RB Kaytron Allen
- 2026 Vegas Projected Win Total: 7.5
- 2025 Offensive Ranks:
Unlike the Eagles, it will surprise no one to hear that the Washington Commanders were one of the most injured teams in the NFL. Nine of their starters missed at least seven games in 2025. Jayden Daniels basically lost his sophomore year due to nagging injuries that resulted in a nothing-burger of a season for the team. It is difficult to string together expectations because the players that were on the field last year will not reflect this year’s team. They shed their old faithfuls, like WR Deebo Samuel and TE Zach Ertz. They brought in players like TE Chig Okonkwo and rookie WR Antonio Williams. Additionally, the Commanders fired OC Kliff Kingsbury, bringing in a new OC in David Blough, adding even more ambiguity. So, how will this team shake out?
Amber Searls-Imagn Images
Ahead of last year, after a stunning rookie season, QB Jayden Daniels was being drafted in the third round. This year, he is being taken in the sixth. Maybe the uncertainty around this team is playing into that, or maybe it is concern about his ability to stay healthy throughout the season, but he has shown us he can be a mobile, rushing QB with high upside. Jason is fine taking a shot. Mike pointed out, however, that his completion percentage dropped by 8% from 2024 to 2025. This could be chalked up to his lack of passing options or the more difficult schedule, but it is something to consider nonetheless.
Jayden’s top guy will likely be WR Terry McLaurin to start the year. The Ballers liked the tape of rookie WR Antonio Williams, and he could be a dart throw at the end of your draft because he has the opportunity and talent to break out this year.
RB-wise, the Commanders said goodbye to Austin Ekeler and Chris Rodriguez Jr. and said hello to Rachaad White. Jacory Croskey-Merritt (BILL!) is hanging in there. He stole our hearts at the beginning of the 2025 season but soon lost his role. He will need to work on pass protection and his receiving game to compete for the top spot with White.
With the exit of the elder statesmen we discussed, there is plenty of room for opportunity in this offense. TE Chig Okonkwo has the talent and athleticism to make his mark. And the way that the Commanders have used their TEs in the past bodes well for some productivity here. He is not at the top of mind for the masses, so you can get a potential breakout candidate for basically nothing at the end of your drafts.
New York Giants (4-13)
- Player Additions: TE Isaiah Likely, WR Odell Beckham Jr., WR Calvin Austin III, WR Darnell Mooney, WR Juju Smith-Schuster, WR Braxton Berrios
- Player Subtractions: WR Wan’Dale Robinson, QB Russell Wilson, TE Daniel Bellinger
- Rookies: WR Malachi Fields
- 2026 Vegas Projected Win Total: 7.5
- 2025 Offensive Ranks:
There were games last year that we saw some good flashes from the young New York Giants offense, but injuries to WR Malik Nabers and RB Cam Skattebo, aka Backflips McGee, let the air out of the tires. They ended up going 1-7 in one-score games, costing HC Brian Daboll his job. Now, John Harbaugh leads the way with Matt Nagy as the new OC…yawn.
It is going to be tough sledding for QB Jaxson Dart and this offense as the season kicks off. Last year, Dart made plays in no-huddle situations where he relied on his athleticism and reckless abandon to work its magic. This year, under Matt Nagy, this style of play is not expected, and Dart will have to adapt. He will also be without his #1 pass-catching target to start the year.
Malik Nabers is expected to start on the PUP. If you draft him somewhere in the fourth or fifth round, you need to be prepared to be without him for at least four games. Once he is back, Dart should give him every chance to succeed, and there is potential that he will blast you through the fantasy playoffs and into victory.
While Nabers gets back to form, Dart will be stuck with pass-catchers that leave a lot to be desired in Darnell Mooney, Juju Smith-Schuster, and Odell Beckham Jr., just to name a few. There is hope that WR Darius Slayton and TE Isaiah Likely can step up, and rookie WR Malachi Fields can quickly integrate and build on the future for this team. Boots-on-the-ground journalism from our very own Mike the Fantasy Hitman Wright and Jason Moore reports that Jaxson Dart immediately identified Isaiah Likely as a strong target for 2026. If it takes time for them to find their groove in the air, they will have to rely on Cam Skattebo and Tyrone Tracy in the running game to get anywhere.
We had to ask about the flip @camskattebo5 🤣 😅 @FFHitman @JasonMoore pic.twitter.com/6dpwZXUWmQ
— Fantasy Footballers (@TheFFBallers) July 19, 2026
How are the Ballers predicting this division?
- Andy: Cowboys, Eagles, Giants, Commanders
- Mike: Cowboys, Eagles, Commanders, Giants
- Jason: Eagles, Cowboys, Giants, Commanders