When Dak Prescott was injured last season and needed to have season-ending surgery, the role of backup quarterback became arguably the most important position on the team.
Dallas was fortunate to have veteran Cooper Rush serving as the backup quarterback and he led the Cowboys in Prescott's absence. The problem now is Rush left Dallas as a free agent and signed with the Baltimore Ravens to backup two-time NFL Most Valuable Player Lamar Jackson.
Now, the cupboard is fairly bare, with Will Grier the only reserve option.
Third-string quarterback Trey Lance is also a free agent and no longer on the Cowboys' roster. The search is on for a new quarterback ... which Dallas could obtain via the NFL Draft.
The top two quarterbacks are Cam Ward from the University of Miami and Shedeur Sanders from Colorado. Ward will probably be the first pick of the draft, while Sanders should go in the top 10 picks.
NFL Draft analyst Mel Kiper, Jr. projects the next subset of quarterbacks as Jaxson Dart of Ole Miss, Tyler Shough of Louisville and Will Howard of Ohio State.
Chances are the 'Boys are not going to spend a high pick on a backup quarterback. They could look for one in the mid to later rounds - and indeed, our Mike Fisher broke the story of Dallas "targeting'' Quinn Ewers of Texas.
Related: Cowboys Source Reveals Longhorns QB Quinn Ewers 'Intrigue'
Dart and Shough should be off the board by the end of the second round. Dallas is not projected to draft a quarterback in the first two rounds with Prescott firmly entrenched as the starter.
One quarterback who will surprise people as a professional is former Syracuse signal caller Kyle McCord. McCord led the nation in passing yards as a senior.
McCord could go earlier than Kiper gives him credit for. Dallas could invest a third round selection on McCord and have a backup who would be very comfortable in a starting role.
Related: Dak vs. Josh Allen Contracts Make Jerry's Cowboys Look Foolish
As for a later round selection, Dallas should give strong consideration to Howard, whom should be around in the later rounds. He did not have a solid NFL Scouting Combine earlier this month and his Pro Day will be very telling. He is a solid sixth or seventh-round pick.
He would be a good fit to sit behind Prescott and learn. If he had to pinch hit, he certainly would be as good as any other backup the Cowboys could find in the later rounds.
So ... Ewers is on the radar. And if we toss Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe onto the pile? Dallas can find a "developmental'' answer here, at least.
Related: Cooper Rush Explains Cowboys Departure For Ravens
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This story was originally published March 23, 2025 at 11:42 AM.
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