NFC East news: Eagles, Giants sign free agents; trade possibilities for Washington

NFC East news: Eagles, Giants sign free agents; trade possibilities for Washington

Eagles sign C.J. Uzomah to a 1-year contract – Owen Boyle, PhiladelphiaEagles.com

Philadelphia adds tight end depth to their roster.

The Eagles have signed tight end C.J. Uzomah to a one-year contract.

“I really wanted to come to a place, where in my heart, I have a feeling that we have a great chance to win a Super Bowl this year,” said Uzomah after signing his contract at the NovaCare Complex. “It’s the culture, the fans, and everything about this team and organization that I have observed as a bystander over the years.”

Uzomah (6-foot-5, 271 pounds) is entering his 10th season in the league after being drafted in the fifth round of the 2015 NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals. He spent the last two years with the New York Jets.

In 106 career games (82 starts), the 31-year-old caught 192 passes for 1,881 yards and 16 touchdowns. His best season came in 2021 when the Bengals appeared in Super Bowl LVI. Uzomah had 49 catches for 493 yards and five touchdowns, all career highs.

Over the last two seasons, Uzomah totaled 29 receptions, 290 yards, and three touchdowns. He missed the final five games of his Jets career after suffering a season-ending knee injury on December 3, 2023.

“I’m on track, a little bit ahead of schedule,” Uzomah said. “I can’t wait to get back on the field and get after it with the guys.”

Uzomah will bring veteran experience to a tight end room that, outside of Dallas Goedert, has 10 career starts.

Giants sign veteran DL Jordan Phillips – Dan Salomone, Giants.com

New York continues to revamp the defensive side of the ball.

The New York Giants signed veteran defensive lineman Jordan Phillips.

The 6-foot-6, 341-pound Oklahoma product has played in 120 games (62 starts) throughout his career for the Buffalo Bills (2018-19, 2022-23), Arizona Cardinals (2020-21), and Miami Dolphins (2015-18), who selected him in the second round of the 2015 NFL Draft. Phillips has also appeared in three postseason games – two with Buffalo and another with Miami.

His career numbers include 181 tackles (36 for loss) and 24 sacks, including a personal-best 9.5 with the Bills in 2019. He also has 51 quarterback hits, 24 passes defensed, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and one interception off Ryan Fitzpatrick during a win for the Dolphins over the Jets in 2016.

Last season, Phillips played in 14 games with Buffalo and batted down a career-high five passes to go along with 2.5 sacks. He started nine consecutive games at defensive tackle before suffering a season-ending wrist injury.

A two-year starter at Oklahoma, Phillips was named second-team All-Big 12 in 2014. Prior to college, he was an Under Armour All-American at Circle High School in Towanda, Kan., where he played seven different positions (fullback, slot back, tight end, linebacker, interior lineman, punter, and kicker). Phillips was also an all-state performer in basketball and baseball.

3 players Commanders could trade during 2024 NFL Draft season – Dean Jones, RiggosRag.com

Here are some options Washington might consider trading during the draft season.

Adam Peters has been incredibly active throughout a memorable offseason so far. The Washington Commanders are handling the football business more professionally under the respected front office figure. However, this project was always a gradual route back into playoff contention rather than expecting miracles immediately.

Peters has the roster in better shape following a flurry of free-agent moves. There’s been no sentiment attached to his decision-making process, with several fan favorites allowed to leave without much of a fight in favor of what those in power believe are better options.

This might also see more players depart via trade if Peters feels like it’s the best thing to take the franchise forward. With this in mind, here are three players the Commanders could ship out either before, during, or after the draft.

Commanders could trade Phidarian Mathis

It’s been an incredibly frustrating start to Phidarian Mathis’ time with the Washington Commanders. His rookie season ended after just a few short snaps due to injury. The defensive tackle began 2023 on injured reserve before returning to the rotation, where he was largely ineffective and unable to impose himself.

Commanders could trade Dyami Brown

Adam Peters had the league’s most available salary-cap space at his disposal heading into free agency. As such, it was surprising to see the general manager almost stand pat at the wide receiver position considering how this unit largely underachieved in 2023.

Even though the Washington Commanders ran a pass-happy offense under Eric Bieniemy, nobody aside from Pro Bowler Terry McLaurin covered themselves in glory. Jahan Dotson didn’t enjoy the breakout campaign many were anticipating. Curtis Samuel had some nice moments, but it wasn’t enough to earn another deal en route to signing for the Buffalo Bills in free agency.

Despite his college quarterback Sam Howell being named the starter, Dyami Brown once again flattered to deceive. The former third-round selection has all the physical tools needed to become a productive pass-catcher. Unfortunately, nothing seems to be going right in Washington.