NFC East stock up, down: Jerry Jones gets new toy, Washington gets a facelift

From Dak Prescott’s new teammate to the Commanders fresh start, here's a look at whose stock is up and whose stock is down in the NFC East heading into the regular season.

Stock up

Isaiah Simmons, New York Giants linebacker: Simmons was the eighth overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, but it only took a seventh-round pick to get him out of Arizona. Just two days after arriving in New York, Simmons started the team’s final preseason game and just missed sacking the Jets' Aaron Rodgers.

At 6-foot-4 and 238 pounds, Simmons can play linebacker, safety and rush from the edge.

"That's one of the reasons why we made the trade," head coach Daboll said via the team’s website. "We thought there's some upside there. Again, we'll put him in, we'll ask him to do probably quite a bit of things just to see what he takes to.”

Simmons had 99 tackles, four sacks and a touchdown for Arizona last year and hasn’t missed a game in three NFL seasons.

Washington Commanders fans: The Commanders are expecting a sellout when they welcome the Cardinals to FedEx Field on September 10, something they haven’t done since 2019, and new owner Joshua Harris hopes to make the game better for fans.

According to Jay Korf of WJLA.com, the Harris ownership group prospectus calls for a potential investment of $130 million in projects to improve the fan experience, $100 million for infrastructure upgrades and a state-of-the-art, domed stadium built by 2031.

Updates to the stadium’s video and sound boards have already been done, and better food and beverage options will be phased in throughout the year. Of course, that won’t matter much if the team doesn’t win, but after suffering through 24 years of Dan Snyder’s ownership, fans should appreciate the effort.

Devon Allen, Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver: Allen spent last year on Philadelphia’s practice squad and the offseason competing in the 110-meter hurdles. The three-time national champion has yet to play in a regular season game, but that could change after his performance against the Colts.

Allen opened the team’s final preseason game with a 73-yard kickoff return, setting up running back Trey Sermon for the game’s first score. Philadelphia’s special teams were anything but in 2022, but Allen could change things quickly in 2023.

Stock down

Washington Commanders returners: If only Washington had an Olympic hurdler to plug into their special teams. The Commanders’ punt returners were 10th-worst in the league last season and their kick returners were 13th-worst.

Wide receiver Dax Milne and running back Antonio Gibson handled most returns last year, but undrafted free agent Kazmeir Allen has been getting a look this preseason. Unfortunately Allen muffed a punt against the Bengals on Saturday after dropping back-to-back passes in the second quarter.

Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys quarterback: Prescott hasn’t done anything to hurt his stock, but team owner Jerry Jones may have. On Friday, the Cowboys traded a fourth-round pick to the 49ers for embattled quarterback Trey Lance.

Neither Prescott or head coach Mike McCarthy were consulted prior to the trade which could speak volumes about their future beyond 2023. Prescott is signed through 2024, and while the Cowboys have expressed interest in extending Prescott's contract, there’s been very little dialogue according to ESPN..

Lance has disappointed since joining the NFL as the third overall pick in 2021, but it’s not hard to imagine Jones falling in love with his athleticism. If the team disappoints this season, Jones might want to play with his new toy.

Taylor-Swift: The Eagles made a small fortune this summer by selling throwback kelly green jerseys. Just imagine what they could do by adding disgruntled Colts running back Jonathan Taylor to a backfield with D’Andre Swift.

Former Eagle Chris Long and defensive tackle Fletcher Cox had some fun with their jerseys a few years ago, and a trade for Taylor would give Philly tweens something less R-rated..

Indianapolis gave Taylor until Tuesday to find a trade partner, but the Eagles don’t appear to have serious interest. Talk about a cruel summer.