It’s a near guarantee that the Dallas Cowboys quarterback room will be bolstered during the 2025 NFL Draft.
Dak Prescott, now 31 years old, isn’t getting any younger, Cooper Rush is headed to Baltimore, and Trey Lance may be headed to the CFL. Essentially, it is long overdue for Dallas to bring in a quarterback in the later rounds that they can develop.
Welcome to Baltimore, @rush_cooper❗️
We have signed QB Cooper Rush. pic.twitter.com/tuXvoEOCiN
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) March 18, 2025
The front office has openly discussed drafting a quarterback this year, specifically naming the fifth round as their sweet spot.
Dallas is right: the later rounds are where this need should be filled. That doesn’t necessarily mean that’s what will happen, however, as quarterbacks always go much higher than they probably should.
We may see a surprise pick early in the draft from the Cowboys, or they could stick to their guns and draft one late. So, let’s discuss one guy to fill each of these possibilities.
The Highest Possibility: Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss
In the universe where the Cowboys shock the NFL world by taking a quarterback in the first two rounds, the name called by Roger Goodell is likely Jaxson Dart, the Ole Miss and Southern California product.
Dart, 21, is one of the mysteries of this draft class. He could go as high as the first round, and could slip into the late-second round.
He has prototypical size, tons of SEC experience, solid accuracy, and a personality that any football fan would love. The problem is, those traits may be where his ceiling ends.
Jaxson Dart's eyeblack is inspired by Anakin Skywalker.
A man of culture who appreciates the prequels. https://t.co/YUIQF5SLkJ pic.twitter.com/OnvgryBLHY
— Chris Vannini (@ChrisVannini) December 30, 2023
I don’t see him having the kind of mobility he’ll need at the NFL level, and his average arm strength could hinder him at times, especially when working downfield or against the speed of an elite defense.
When you combine these issues with his overall raw ability, you have a bit of a project on your hands.
For Dallas, however, that could be a good thing. If it pushes him into the second round, they could pull the trigger on a potentially first-round caliber guy who can develop under Prescott for the next few years.
The Most Likely: Quinn Ewers, Texas
Quinn Ewers, the former Longhorn and Texas native, is easily the most likely candidate to join the Cowboys quarterback room.
Formerly a projected first-overall pick, Ewers’ career in Austin never blossomed as some thought it would. His passing struggles and talent limitations took his draft stock from first-round lock to a solid middle-to-late round option.
https://twitter.com/espn/status/1863063964973777097
I personally felt that Texas would have been better off with Arch Manning in the College Football Playoff, but they rode with their veteran instead.
As he heads into the NFL Draft, Ewers projects as a backup with moderate potential to become a starter one day. He has the size, experience, and occasional “wow throw,” and the accuracy lapses, turnover problems, and mechanical problems that scare you.
If the Cowboys can find their way to drafting him, without having to use a premier pick, it would be a good fit.
With the right passing scheme and development, Quinn Ewers could take over one day, even if it’s not the best successor option out there.
The Late-Round Flier: Riley Leonard, Notre Dame
From the halls of Duke University in Durham to the Fighting Irish’s campus, Riley Leonard had a storied college football career. Now, he’s looking to prove the doubters wrong about his NFL potential.
Leonard, 23, is a dual-threat quarterback who reminds me a lot of Prescott when he was coming out of Mississippi State.
Grit, leadership, mobility, passing potential with more cons than pros in that area, and average size for the position.
Former Notre Dame QB Riley Leonard completed 62 of 66 passes at Pro Day.
He said he’s mostly thinking about the ones he wants back (a couple overthrows) but it was a solid day.
“There were a lot of things I wanted to put on tape and do, and I think I accomplished those things.” pic.twitter.com/Bm5tDQDuxM
— Tyler Horka (@tbhorka) March 27, 2025
Simply put, he is not an NFL quarterback right now. His passing skills are just not refined enough. That said, teams said the same thing about Prescott, and with hard work and coaching, he turned his entire game around.
Everybody knows Leonard has the work effort and competitiveness to make that kind of improvement; it’s just a matter of who is around him to mold and develop him.
I see Riley Leonard as the perfect late-round flier for the Cowboys. His skill set and intangibles are a match. Now, it’s just time to sit behind a seasoned veteran like Prescott and watch the progression.