NFC East Preseason Grades

DALLAS COWBOYS

QB-Tony Romo (B), Jon Kitna (D)

RB-Marion Barber (B), Felix Jones (C+), Tashard Choice (D+)

WR-Roy Williams (C+), Miles Austin (C), Patrick Crayton (C), Isaiah Stanback (F)

TE-Jason Witten (A), Martellus Bennett (C+)

K-Nick Folk (B)

OUTLOOK:  It was probably the right time for Terrell Owens' departure, as his play last season didn't live up to the hassle he creates.  The Cowboys can actually be potent without Williams stepping up, because they have three excellent runners and a pair of dangerou tight ends.  Don't be scared away from drafting Bennett just because he's a back-up; he'll outperform many of the starting tight ends in the league.  Jones will push hard for playing time if he's as explosive as he was early last year.  Romo has to finish the year strong for a change, because he's hurting his owners come playoff time.

NEW YORK GIANTS

QB-Eli Manning (C+), David Carr (F)

RB-Brandon Jacobs (B+), Ahmad Bradshaw (C), Danny Ware (D+), Andre Brown (D)

WR-Domenik Hixon (C+), Hakeem Nicks (C), Steve Smith (C), Mario Manningham (D+), Sinorice Moss (D)

TE-Kevin Boss (C+), Michael Matthews (F)

K-Lawrence Tynes (C+)

OUTLOOK:  For all his name value, Manning is still not quite QB1 material because of the lack of big games.  He makes an ideal #2, however, because of his consistency.  As good as Jacobs was last season, he might really ascend into the Fantasy elite in '09 because the Giants will lean on him more with Derrick Ward gone.  Hixon seems like the best bet at receiver but really not much better than a WR3.  Even though Smith will probably start, Nicks has the much greater breakout potential, making him the better choice over the course of the season.

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

QB-Donovan McNabb (B), Kevin Kolb (D)

RB-Brian Westbrook (B+), LeSean McCoy (C), Lorenzo Booker (D), Leonard Weaver (D)

WR-DeSean Jackson (C+), Kevin Curtis (C), Jeremy Maclin (D+), Reggie Brown (D+), Hank Baskett (D), Jason Avant (D)

TE-Brett Celek (C), Cornelius Ingram (D)

K-David Akers (B)

OUTLOOK:  Who would have thought that McNabb would make it back to QB1 status after being benched in Week 12 last year?  Yet here he is at the controls of an offense with an improved offensive line and a ridiculously deep set of skill position players.  Westbrook's health is clearly a concern after the recent surgery, but his multi-talented skills should still be on full display this year.  Jackson will be a popular pick, but keep in mind that his stats were very similar to Curtis once the latter returned from injury.  Maclin is talented, but has a lot of guys to fight with for touches.

WASHINGTON REDSKINS

QB-Jason Campbell (C), Todd Collins (D)

RB-Clinton Portis (B), Ladell Betts (D+), Rock Cartwright (F)

WR-Santana Moss (C+), Antwaan Randle El (D+), Malcolm Kelly (D), Devin Thomas (D)

TE-Chris Cooley (B), Fred Davis (C)

K-Shawn Suisham (D+)

OUTLOOK:  This looks like pretty much the same group that produced uninspring results a year ago, so there's not too much to get excited about.  Portis is right on the edge of RB1 status.  The fear is that by playing in this brutal division, the Redskins will be playing from behind too often for him to get his usual boatload of carries.  Cooley still looks like a solid starter, but the wideouts not so much.  You know you can expect a few huge games from Moss and long droughts in between.  The Skins would love to make Randle El a slot man, but that would mean either Thomas or Kelly would have to take a huge step from their rookie season.