Judging NFL rosters on April 8 is a risky proposition. Teams have different approaches to player acquisition, so roster outlooks will measure up accordingly. A team that takes a free agency-heavy approach will look more complete than a team with a draft-and-develop focus, given that the NFL Draft is still a couple of weeks away.

Although the draft is important and can sway things, the chances of it changing entire trajectories of a season is rare. Obviously, there are exceptions, and among the top exceptions is a rookie quarterback finding immediate success, as C.J. Stroud did in Houston last season. The NFC East has a candidate for that, with the Washington Commanders holding the No. 2 selection. However, even then, the success of the quarterback often has a lot to do with the pieces that surround him.

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For years, the NFC East has been a two-way race between the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles, the former taking the division crown in 2023 after the latter ended the season in a tailspin. The New York Giants and Commanders, ailed by quarterback issues, finished third and fourth. Where do the rosters stand heading into the draft? Let’s take a look.

Going into the draft, there’s a clear divide between the top and bottom half of the division. Jalen Hurts and Dak Prescott are franchise quarterbacks, and both have been runner-up for league MVP the past two seasons. Both players were sent home in the wild-card round last season — Hurts’ Eagles following a late-season spiral and Prescott’s Cowboys with a shocking thud. However, Hurts led the Eagles to the Super Bowl two seasons ago while Prescott, who’s been in the league twice as long, has never made it to a conference championship game. The Commanders are likely to jump the Giants if they select a quarterback with the No. 2 pick.

Saquon Barkley is still the top running back in the division, except this time he will be carrying the rock for the Eagles instead of the Giants. The Commanders addressed the position in free agency by adding Austin Ekeler, and the Giants, tasked with replacing Barkley, added Devin Singletary. The Cowboys, meanwhile, lost Tony Pollard and didn’t do anything in free agency after claiming improving the running game was going to be an offseason priority. Obviously, the Cowboys will look to add a running back in the draft, but it’s not a particularly strong class.

The Cowboys have arguably the best wide receiver in the division in CeeDee Lamb, but evaluating the position holistically, Philadelphia’s duo of A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith edge out Lamb and Brandin Cooks. The Eagles also added DeVante Parker and Parris Campbell, which aren’t headline signings but have the potential to become something more in the right situation. Terry McLaurin continues to carry the group in Washington, which gives it the edge over what’s going on in New York.

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Dallas Goedert has established himself as a key component of the Eagles offense and still holds the title as the best tight end in the division. However, Jake Ferguson is making things interesting after his breakout season in Dallas in 2023. The Commanders signed veteran Zach Ertz, who will be 34 this fall. Ertz was a top tight end back in his Philadelphia days, but it’s fair to wonder how much he has left. While outsiders wonder that about Ertz, Giants tight end Darren Waller is wondering that about himself as he continues to contemplate retirement.

Two of the worst offensive lines in the league last season came from the NFC East, courtesy of the Giants and Commanders. Both teams made significant moves in free agency, trying to overhaul the units that could not protect their quarterbacks in 2023. The Commanders signed Tyler Biadasz out of Dallas to become their starting center. The Cowboys are second in the division because, despite having major holes that need to be addressed, they do have All-Pro talents in Tyler Smith and Zack Martin. Even though the Eagles lost Jason Kelce, they remain top of the division up front.

Micah Parsons has shown to be one of the best defensive players in the league through his first three seasons in the NFL, so his presence gives the Cowboys a boost over the group, though that gap could be closed if Sam Williams and others don’t step up. Kayvon Thibodeaux broke out last season, and the Giants got him some help by trading for two-time Pro Bowler Brian Burns. The Eagles lost Haason Reddick but swapped him out with Bryce Huff, which softened that blow. The Commanders added the Cowboys’ leftovers in Dante Fowler Jr. and Dorance Armstrong, but there’s no headliner in that group.

The Eagles will be forced to deal with the retirement of Fletcher Cox, who was a longtime stalwart in the middle of that defense. The Commanders have a strong duo to build out from in Daron Payne and Jonathan Allen. The Giants have a force in the middle, too, in Dexter Lawrence. The Cowboys, meanwhile, have a solid player in Osa Odighizuwa but are crossing their fingers for a big jump from 2023 first-round pick Mazi Smith, who had a disappointing rookie campaign.

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Linebacker is not a particularly strong position for the NFC East. The Cowboys signed Eric Kendricks but are hoping DeMarvion Overshown will be as advertised. The Eagles added Devin White but will be hoping for more from Nakobe Dean and Nolan Smith. The Commanders brought in 33-year-old Bobby Wagner (he led the NFL with 183 tackles last season) and Frankie Luvu. The Giants have a solid tandem in Bobby Okereke and Micah McFadden, and re-signed Isaiah Simmons.

Stephon Gilmore remains a free agent, but even if the Cowboys don’t bring him back, they have arguably the best duo in the league in DaRon Bland and Trevon Diggs, assuming Diggs comes back strong from his early-season torn ACL. James Bradberry had a rough regression in 2023, but Darius Slay is still a solid player, as long as he stays on the field. Deonte Banks is a good cornerback for the Giants, but New York and Washington, and to a lesser extent Philadelphia, should be shopping at the position in the draft.

The Cowboys moved on from Jayron Kearse, but they still have a respectable duo in Malik Hooker and Donovan Wilson. The Eagles addressed the position by reuniting with C.J. Gardner-Johnson. The Giants and Commanders could use upgrades on the back end.

Brandon Aubrey was a revelation for the Cowboys, and Bryan Anger continued his solid play. The Eagles have their duo intact with Jake Elliott and Braden Mann. The new kickoff rules for 2024 could favor the Cowboys, giving them an additional outlet to utilize KaVontae Turpin.

To draw a conclusion, we added each ranking and the team with the lowest score finished on top.

Obviously, the draft will change the rosters to some extent, but 2024 is shaping up to be similar to years past for the NFC East. There’s a clear top two (Eagles and Cowboys), with the Giants and Commanders playing catch-up. A lot of that has to do with the quarterback position, which should be evaluated on a curve to place more weight on it. Unless the Commanders hit a home run with their selection at No. 2, Hurts and Prescott will be leading the charge for the division.

(Top photos of Jalen Hurts, Kayvon Thibodeaux, CeeDee Lamb: Ryan Kang, Jim McIsaac, Ryan Kang / Getty Images)