NFC East free agency: Best, worst signing, one more FA to target

Entering the third week of NFL free agency, the NFC East looks more competitive than last season. 

With new dynamics shaping up, here's a look at each team's best and worst signing, plus a free agent to target. (Contract figures are from Spotrac.) 

Dallas Cowboys

Best signing: Safety Jalen Thompson (three years, $33M) | With Thompson turning 28 on July 18, the Cowboys have added a young, five-year veteran who can lead communications in the secondary through his prime. And while Thompson's stats don't look like a true difference-maker — he has just nine career interceptions — the ex-Cardinal consistently graded in the top half of safeties.

Worst signing: DE Sam Williams (one year, $2.5M) | Williams, who has just 9.5 sacks in three seasons, certainly won't replace Micah Parsons. The 2022 second-round pick will lose snaps with Dallas trading for Green Bay Packers defensive end Rashan Gary, and there are better one-year depth options out there.

Free agent to target: DE Cameron Jordan | Last season, Jordan recorded 10.5 sacks in 17 games with the New Orleans Saints, more than Cowboys sack leader Jadeveon Clowney (8.5 in 13 games). If Jordan, who will turn 37 on July 10, is kept fresh, his productivity could continue.

New York Giants

Best signing: TE Isaiah Likely (three years, $40M) | With Likely replacing wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson's production in the slot, the Giants are set to run more 12 personnel, meaning there will be two tight ends on the field and only one wide receiver. For Likely, this is his chance to be the true No. 1 tight end he wasn't in Baltimore. For the Giants, he is the versatile weapon they've been lacking outside of receiver Malik Nabers.

Worst signing: OL Evan Neal (one year, $1.2M) | New head coach John Harbaugh must believe Neal can rebound with a new regime. Otherwise, there aren't many reasons to hold onto a player who wasn't on the active roster in 2025. Neal was the seventh overall pick of the 2022 NFL Draft, general manager Joe Schoen's first draft, but he has been a bust since.

Free agent to target: DT D.J. Reader | The 6-foot-3, 330-pound, 32-year-old has 328 total tackles since entering the NFL in 2016, and continues to be a run-stuffing asset. The defense allowed the second-most rushing yards per game last season (145.3), so it needs aid. 

Philadelphia Eagles

Best signing: CB Riq Woolen (one year, $12M) | The Super Bowl winner cashed in on his solid 2025 performance, and now rounds out one of the best secondaries in the NFL. Woolen is an upgrade over Adoree' Jackson and a better complement to No. 1 cornerback Quinyon Mitchell. 

Worst signing: LB Arnold Ebiketie (one year, $4.3M) | The Eagles must strengthen their pass rush after losing Jaelan Phillips to free agency. Signing Ebiketie, who had just two sacks last season, doesn't add much value, even on a relatively small deal. He may hardly play on a team that already has a solid linebacking corps. 

Free agent to target: WR Deebo Samuel | While more of a luxury add than a necessity, Samuel could be a weapon in a limited role, especially for an offense looking to regain its physical running identity. With Samuel, the Eagles could run more jet sweeps to stretch defenses.

Washington Commanders

Best signing: DE Odafe Oweh (four years, $96M) | The Commanders are betting on the 27-year-old's combined 17.5 sacks from the past two seasons, including playoffs, to be his standard. Oweh is also a strong run defender and helps bolster a defensive front that was a consistent weakness last season. 

Worst signing: DE Charles Omenihu (one year, $4M) | The Commanders needed depth to complement Oweh, but Omenihu will be deep on the depth chart. Coming off an ACL tear, Omenihu had 3.5 sacks last season for the Chiefs.

Free agent to target: WR Jauan Jennings | Quarterback Jayden Daniels needs a solid No. 2 WR across from Terry McLaurin. Jennings averaged 11.7 yards per catch and recorded 55 receptions for 643 receiving yards last season for the 49ers. He could be the stable presence Daniels needs and defenses must respect.