The 2021 NFC East All-Division Team offense is headlined by the Dallas Cowboys passing attack and then will feature a mixed bag of players from other teams. The NFC East looks to bounce back from last season’s poor performance as a division as a whole. With new and returning talent, this should be a much more competitive division across the NFL.
2021 NFC East Offense: The All-Division Team
Quarterback: Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys
It’s no surprise Dak Prescott would be the All-Division quarterback. Prescott is coming off a season-ending ankle injury in which he only played in five games. During those five games, the veteran signal-caller was lighting the NFL on fire. In five games, Prescott passed for 1,856 yards with nine touchdowns. Prescott’s 2020 season, on his current pace, would have yielded over 6,000 passing yards and 30 touchdowns.
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It is unlikely Prescott would have kept that pace to reach 6,000 yards passing, However, if he can continue with similar production the Cowboys will have one of the top offenses in the NFL, and Prescott will be an MVP candidate.
Running Back: Saquon Barkley, New York Giants
Much like the quarterback position, the all-division running back did not play a full season in 2020. Saquon Barkley rushed for over 1,000 yards in 2018 and 2019 each with at least 4.6 yards per carry in both seasons. Barkley also is very active in the passing game with 721 yards in 2018 and 438 receiving yards in 2019 with over 50 receptions in both seasons.
Barkley is in command as the position as the NFC East’s best running back because of his performance in his first two seasons. If Barkley is injured or inefficient, there will be an opening for Antonio Gibson, Miles Sanders, or even Ezekiel Elliott to capitalize and become the NFC East’s best running back. The New York Giants are a much better team when Barkley is productive and on the field.
"NEVER skip leg day." – Saquon Barkley
📸: @saquon pic.twitter.com/YOsB3TnAfw
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) July 15, 2021
Wide Receiver: Amari Cooper, Dallas Cowboys
Amari Cooper is the lead wide receiver for the NFC East All-Division team. The former Crimson Tide standout struggled early in his career playing for the Las Vegas Raiders. Early in his career, while statistically productive, Cooper struggled with the reputation of disappearing from games. Cooper also earned a reputation for drops with Derek Carr at the helm. Since being traded to Dallas, Cooper has been electric, logging 3,000 yards and 19 touchdowns. Since donning his Cowboys jersey, Cooper has been the best wide receiver and premier deep threat in the NFC East.
Wide Receiver: Kenny Golladay, Giants
Former Detroit Lions wide receiver Kenny Golladay signed with the New York Giants this off-season, solidifying the wide receiver ranks in the Big Apple. Golladay suffered from a hip injury in 2020, sidelining him for most of the season. He was, however, very productive the two seasons prior in Detroit. Golladay reached 1,000 yards in 2018 and 2019 with 16 touchdowns over the two-year span. Golladay was the primary receiver in Lions offense, and he looks to enjoy similar success in New York with a new offense and new quarterback.
Slot Receiver: CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys
CeeDee Lamb is the All-Division slot receiver after his rookie season. Lamb exploded onto the scene in the first five games while Prescott was healthy. After the Dallas quarterback’s injury, Lamb’s production took a significant decline. Despite missing his elite passer, Lamb racked up 935 receiving yards on 74 receptions with five touchdowns. Lamb is one of the favorites for top breakout candidates in year two.
CeeDee Lamb: elite slot WR ⭐ pic.twitter.com/bhgtJohaKK
— PFF (@PFF) October 21, 2020
Tight End: Dallas Goedert, Philadelphia Eagles
The tight end position is interesting in the NFC East. Since Jason Witten retired the position has been missing a clear-cut leader in this division. Zach Ertz was clearly the best player over the last few seasons but recently has struggled to maintain productivity when not sidelined with injury. Dallas Goedert should break onto the tight end scene and become one of the leaders at that position in the NFC East, and in the NFL. After returning from injury, Goedert caught for over 500 yards and three touchdowns in nine starts for the Philadelphia Eagles. Goedert has a great opportunity to shine and step out of Ertz’s shadow.
Left Tackle: Tyron Smith, Cowboys
Tyron Smith has been and will continue to be the most talented offensive lineman in the NFC East. Smith’s 2020 season, much like many others on this list, was cut short by injury. Smith battled a neck injury ultimately requiring season-ending surgery. Smith has had a great career headlining one of the best units in the NFL. He has given up three or fewer sacks each of the last five seasons (2020 he only started two games). Smith has protected the passer for America’s Team and done so at an impressive clip since entering the league in 2011. He looks to return to form in 2021.
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Left Guard: Zack Martin, Cowboys
Zack Martin is the NFC East All-Division Left Guard. Martin entered the NFL in 2014 and has been a starter since. 2020 was the first season he missed significant time. Martin has allowed no more than three sacks in each season of his career playing next to Tyron Smith. The Cowboys have two elite-level pass protectors athletic enough to run block.
Center: Jason Kelce, Eagles
Jason Kelce has been a great Center for the Philadelphia Eagles since 2011. Kelce has only missed significant time in one season. He played and started in two games in 2012, missing the rest of the season recovering from surgeries to repair torn MCL and ACL. Kelce has led the Eagles offensive line allowing only 14 sacks in his career. Kelce also helped lead the Eagles to a Super Bowl victory in 2017-2018 over Tom Brady and the New England Patriots.
Right Guard: Brandon Scherff, Washington Football Team
Brandon Scherff has started 78 games in his career for the Washington Football Team. He is a very skilled right guard only surrendering 13.5 sacks in his career starting in 2015. Scherff plays a very clean game with seven false starts and only 13 holding penalties. The Washington Football Team represented the NFC East last season in the playoffs. Washington aims to win the NFC East again behind Brandon Scherff and the recent additions to what could be an explosive offensive unit.
Right Tackle: Lane Johnson, Eagles
Lane Johnson rounds out the all-division NFC East team. The Eagles have a solid offensive line core. Johnson has started in 99 games since 2013 surrendering only 25 sacks in his career. He has allowed no more than four sacks in a season since 2015. The Eagles are in a period of turnover with new faces such as Miles Sanders, Jalen Hurts, Jalen Reagor, and Dallas Goedert. Johnson and Kelce will bring much-needed stability and steadfastness for the Eagles in a league where consistency is rare.
Main Photo:
Embed from Getty Images
