The Dallas Cowboys on Thursday traded a fifth-round selection in this month's NFL Draft to the New England Patriots for backup quarterback Joe Milton. Dallas will also get a seventh-round pick in return.
Yes, team owner Jerry Jones "did something'' ... and might have gotten a steal of a deal.
The Patriots were originally shopping Milton for a third-round selection. Jones got a better, NFL-ready backup for a cheaper selection than he would have had to use in this draft. In addition, he gets an extra pick in the seventh-round. ...
And with Joe Milton, it's all upside.
The quarterback pool in this season's draft cycle is not all that good, once you get past the four or five signal-callers. To find a quarterback of Milton's ability in the fifth-round this season would be extremely difficult.
As our own Mike Fisher said, the Cowboys got their developmental quarterback a month early. To take it one step further, the Cowboys got an NFL-ready backup one month early.
#DallasCowboys Fish LIVE: QB TRADE DONEhttps://t.co/HJGb75kw6tpic.twitter.com/LwwWwPzdQM
— fishsports ✭ (@fishsports) April 3, 2025
Milton has already been in the league for a year and has one start under his belt. Milton burst on the scene during Week 18 as he turned in a big performance against the Buffalo Bills.
The Bills had nothing to play for as they already locked up their playoff seeding, but for Milton, it was his one chance to open people's eyes. He was auditioning for his next job.
Milton was a precise 22-of-29 for 241 yards and a touchdown. He did not turn the ball over. He put on a good show for the fans, but also had one full game tape the Patriots could use to shop him.
The former Tennessee Volunteers quarterback became expendable when the Patriots signed journeyman and frequent flier Josh Dobbs.
This deal would probably preclude the Cowboys from drafting a quarterback although they will more than likely sign an undrafted free agent or two as camp arms. The might even keep one on the practice squad.
The Cowboys kept three quarterbacks on the active roster last season, but were down to two after Dak Prescott was lost for the season.
Dallas rolled with Cooper Rush and Trey Lance. Rush has since left for Baltimore as a free agent and Lance is no longer under contract and more than likely headed for Canada.
Milton is 6-5 and 250 and has a tremendous upside and can make plays with his arm and his legs. He reminds you of Tyler Huntley, but better. He has big-time potential and coach Brian Schottenheimer might just develop him into an outstanding backup quarterback who could start in a pinch. ... and maybe do even more than that down the road.
Related: Cooper Rush Explains Cowboys Departure For Ravens
Related: BREAKING: Dak Prescott's Cowboys Trade For 6-5 QB Joe Milton
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This story was originally published April 3, 2025 at 12:55 PM.
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