Cowboy's surprising George Pickens trade boosts NFC East as the top division

The Dallas Cowboys are ready to let George Pickens suit up under his current contract, potentially with an impact from Micah Parsons. But here's why the Cowboys' astonishing George Pickens trade could make the NFC East the NFL's cream of the crop.

After the draft, the NFC East was already eyeing a spot among football's top three divisions. And it's fighting its way to the top. With the Cowboys getting Pickens, a compelling argument can be made that the NFC East sits at the summit.

First, the Philadelphia Eagles, reigning Super Bowl champions, give the NFC East a strong foundation for the 2025 race.

The NFC East might produce three teams with double-digit wins, like the NFC North did last season. And they already boast three top-10 teams thanks to the Pickens trade, joining the Eagles and Commanders. This makes the NFC East a major threat to challenge the NFC North's dominance.

Here's a look at where each team stands in the division:

Cowboys' offense seems ready for 2025

Pickens might pose problems in Dallas. He could rattle the locker room. However, head coach Brian Schottenheimer now has more firepower. Proceed with caution, as ESPN's Louis Riddick cautioned on Get Up:

"On paper, it makes them a much more explosive offense," Riddick said. "(But from the Steelers' point of view), there comes a point in time where the talent isn't good enough for me to tolerate it. I'm not sure if the Cowboys know what they're getting. They're the ones who brought (Pickens) into their building. They're the ones that have to manage it."

Yet, it's also possible that Pickens adjusts his attitude and fits into the Cowboys' peculiar world under Jerry Jones.

The Cowboys had a stellar draft, particularly with second and third-round picks.

"I did like what the Cowboys did on Day 2, adding edge-rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku and cornerback Shavon Revel Jr.," Kiper said. "They have the potential to be early starters for a Dallas defense undergoing a significant overhaul. Ezeiruaku could help fans move on from Lawrence, whose tenure with the team ended abruptly."

The Cowboys bolstered their running back room with the addition of Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders. It's possible the Cowboys now have the best offense in the division – a title they could claim if Williams and Sanders provide a much-needed kick to a 2024 running game that faltered and sputtered.

Also, the first-round pick of Tyler Booker could help the Cowboys boast a stronger offensive line in 2025.

Eagles are still the league's best team, with continued improvements

The Eagles didn't need a significant revamp. When a team has a Super Bowl roster, it's usually about fine-tuning. But the Eagles were aggressive this off-season[1] and hit the mark[2].

"Roseman added versatile off-ball linebacker Jihaad Campbell, who I thought could go in the top 20 picks," Mel Kiper Jr. said. "Campbell can be a chess piece for defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, getting a handful of snaps on the edge per game. He's a really solid player. I mentioned in my Friday night recap how much I like safety Andrew Mukuba, whom Philly got at the end of Round 2[3]. He can play the role vacated by the trade of C.J. Gardner-Johnson. He hits like a linebacker. On Day 3, offensive tackle Cameron Williams could be a steal."

The Eagles sit at No. 2 in the NFL power rankings, comfortably above the Cowboys, according to ESPN. But it's easy to argue that they should be ahead of the Chiefs, bolstered by their February performance[4].

Commanders are on an upward trajectory

The offseason treated the Commanders well. They snagged a pair of crucial free-agent signings with tackle Laremy Tunsil and receiver Deebo Samuel. Then they added Josh Conerly Jr. in the first round of the draft, bolstering a weakness in 2024, the offensive line.

The Commanders reached the NFC Championship game last year, thanks primarily to quarterback Jayden Daniels. If he maintains that level of play in 2025, the Commanders could challenge the Eagles.

Currently, the Commanders rank No. 6 in the ESPN power rankings. However, a case can be made that they are better than the No. 4 Detroit Lions, who faced significant challenges in maintaining continuity after losing both coordinators to head coaching jobs in the offseason[4]. They are also ahead of the Cowboys at this point.

Giants showed significant improvements in the draft

It's possible that the Giants excelled with their first four picks. The addition of Abdul Carter seems like a no-brainer, as it should boost the Giants' pass-rush in 2025.

There's a chance Jaxson Dart could make an impact during the 2025 season. Defensive tackle Darius Alexander and running back Cam Skattebo show promise as well.

"Giants fans should feel a lot better about their favorite team's future," Kiper said. "I liked what the team did Thursday night, getting edge-rusher Abdul Carter early, and then trading up to take QB Jaxson Dart[5]. Carter is a special talent who finished as my No. 2 overall prospect. I liked New York's moves throughout the rest of the draft, too. It added Darius Alexander, a do-it-all defensive tackle who fits well next to Dexter Lawrence II[6], in Round 3. I expect him to make an impact as a rookie. Running back Cam Skattebo can run defenses over between the tackles."

It's not that the Giants will definitely secure a playoff spot in 2025. But they will no longer be a pushover for teams like the Cowboys. It's feasible they could snag a few division wins. And they'll most definitely pose problems here and there.

The conceivable addition of George Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys' roster, coupled with the draft picks, might propel their offense to be the best in the NFC East by 2025.
ESPN's Louis Riddick cautions that Pickens' attitude could cause issues, but the potential benefits outweigh the risks, making the Cowboys a more explosive offense.
Kiper commends the Cowboys for their draft, particularly the additions of edge-rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku and cornerback Shavon Revel Jr., who could be early starters and help the defense.
The Cowboys have improved their running back room with Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders, potentially giving them the best offense in the division.
The first-round pick of Tyler Booker could help the Cowboys create a stronger offensive line in 2025.
Rumors suggest that the Philadelphia Eagles, currently ranked No. 2 in the NFL power rankings, could become the league's best team, given their aggressive off-season moves and the continued improvements they've made.