Breakout NFL player picks for NFC East: Cowboys, Eagles, Commanders, Giants

Photo by John McDonnell/For The Washington Post via Getty Images

Here are our breakout players for the NFC East.

I’m…cautiously intrigued by the NFC East this season. With the Eagles standing tall as defending champions, I think their position in the group is locked down. However, the teams behind them each have their own level of intrigue. Washington hopes to capitalize on a magical first season of HC Dan Quinn and QB Jayden Daniels, and have added some intriguing vets to help lift the floor of the team. The Cowboys are always interesting for reasons that have nothing to do with football, but I think this team can be sneaky good if QB Dak Prescott is healthy. The Giants…have a really fun defense!

Who will be the breakout star for each team in the division? Let’s meet them here.

Dallas Cowboys: Cooper Beebe, C

I REALLY wanted to go with LB Jack Sanborn here, but it feels like Beebe might be more important to the overall success of the Cowboys’ offense. With the Cowboys’ offensive line losing RG Zack Martin to retirement, there’s going to be more of an onus on their young guys to continue their improvement. OC Klayton Adams was once the offensive line coach in Arizona, where he helped turn guys like C Hjate Froholdt into a menace up front. There’s bound to be more play in space and getting linemen on the move in Dallas, so I’m excited to see if Beebe can bring his same finishing ability out in space as he did in the phone booth for the Cowboys next season.

New York Giants: Dru Phillips, CB

Everyone loves a batshit crazy nickel defender, and Dru Phillips is among the craziest in the league. Despite being a little bit undersized, Phillips has the feisty demeanor and aggression you want from a slot defender, in the run and passing game. Phillips finished the 2024 season with seven TFLs, two forced fumbles and an interception, one of the bright spots on an otherwise moribund New York Giants season. I considered his secondary mate S Tyler Nubin here as well, but the NFL loves psycho nickels, and Phillips is next in line.

Philadelphia Eagles: DT Moro Ojomo

Last year, LB Zack Baun became a star in the Eagles’ defense as they rampaged to the Super Bowl. This year, I’m going with Ojomo, who steps into a hole left by guys who went away on big deals. DT Milton Williams is in New England now, and in his place steps Ojomo, who had some really nice (albeit limited) moments as a pass rusher. His 10.9% Pressure Rate was ninth among all DTs (min. 20 pressures) and he showed that he can step right into Williams’ role on third downs as a pass rush specialist when the Eagles rotate their second line in. Now, with an expanded role, Ojomo’s pass rush reps should go up, and I’m curious to see if his productivity improves as well.

Washington Commanders: DT Jer’Zhan Newton

The Commanders let DT Jonathan Allen walk this offseason, but the succession plan was in place. They drafted Newton in the second round last season to boost their pass rush from the interior, and what stood out about Newton in his limited time last season is his lateral quickness and burst from the defensive tackle position. His 17 pressures last season on 241 pass rush snaps is limited, but with the way that Dan Quinn calls his defense, there should be ample opportunities for Newton to win his one on ones.