NFC East 2012 NFL Free Agency: Early Winners and Losers

Despite being hit with league sanctions at the eleventh hour, the Washington Redskins and Dallas Cowboys have engaged in a flurry of moves.

Last year's big spenders, the Philadelphia Eagles, have concentrated on retaining their own prime talent via some hefty new contracts.

By contrast, the defending division champions and Super Bowl holders, the New York Giants, have approached free agency with an almost statesman like indifference.

Here are the NFC East's early winners and losers in this free agency period:

Winners: Dallas Cowboys - Key Moves: Signed Brandon Carr CB, Brodney Poole S, Dan Connor LB, Kyle Orton, QB

In spite of the NFL-imposed $10 million cap hit, it's hard not to rate the Cowboys as winners in free agency so far.

Brandon Carr answered the biggest need on the team. The former Kansas City Chiefs ace is exactly the kind of physical, press corner Rob Ryan needs to make his multiple blitz schemes work.

In the same way, bringing in Brodney Poole at safety was an equally smart move. He is not as high-profile an addtion as Carr, but Poole has excellent knowledge of the type of defense Ryan likes to play. In a system as multiple and complex as Ryan's, the more players the Cowboys have with inside knowledge, the better.

Inside linebacker Dan Connor was one of the most underrated players on the market. He is an intelligent run defender who can partner the superb Sean Lee inside.

Connor's presence means the Cowboys can part ways with aging duo Keith Brooking and Bradie James. He gives them a starting-calibre player while they wait on the fitness and development of youngster Bruce Carter.

Adding Kyle Orton was an interesting move. He gives the team a younger backup for Romo, who is also capable enough to step in as a starter. Orton may provide a greater form of competition than Romo has been used to.

Winners: Washington Redskins - Key Moves: Signed Pierre Garcon WR, Josh Morgan, Brandon Meriweather S

The Redskins needed help at receiver, and acquired two young pass-catchers with plenty of potential. Some may argue they overpaid, but Garcon and Morgan can inject youth and speed to the position.

There were more marquee names in the free-agent safety class than Brandon Meriweather. Yet the former New England Patriot and Chicago Bear can offset the potential loss of the injury-prone LaRon Landry.

Losers: New York Giants - Key Moves: Signed Martellus Bennett TE Re-signed Terrell Thomas CB

While it seems difficult to call the Giants 'losers' in free agency, due to their lack of cap space, their failure to address linebacker and offensive line so far is hard to overlook.

Acquiring Martellus Bennett answers a clear team need at low risk. The deal gives the Giants a player who this author believes will surprise many in New York.

Re-signing Terrell Thomas may be a gamble given his ACL injury. Yet Thomas is worth the risk when healthy. He is a fine corner who is a definite upgrade on Aaron Ross and will give Prince Amukamara more time to develop.

Yet it would still be nice to see an offensive lineman and a linebacker added. Their measured approach to free agency is the one of the things that is easy to like about the Giants.

However, a successful title defense will only be possible if attention is paid to the obvious weak points on an otherwise strong roster.

Losers: Philadelphia Eagles - Key Moves: Re-signed DeSean Jackson WR

It feels a little harsh to dub the Eagles as 'losers' when not much activity could be expected following last year's ill-fated spending binge.

Yet the Eagles have clear needs which have not yet been addressed. They are in desperate need of impact players at linebacker and a dominant presence along the offensive line.

Missing out on prime target Carl Nicks was a major blow, especially when the offensive line has already been weakened by the departure of Jamaal Jackson.

The Eagles have a lot of talent in place, but until they add reinforcements to the front five and linebacking corps, this free-agency period has to rank as a disappointment.

It stands to reason that the two teams with the most work to do in the NFC East have been the most active. However, the Cowboys and Redskins have made strong moves and not panic signings.

The Eagles and Giants should not risk standing still for too long, or the gap within the division will be a lot closer than many think.