The Dallas Cowboys, one of the NFL’s most storied franchises, have long been known for their strong roster, both in terms of talent and historical success.
However, despite their rich legacy, the Cowboys have been rather selective when it comes to drafting quarterbacks.
Since 2001, the team has only selected five quarterbacks: Quincy Carter, Stephen McGee, Dak Prescott, Mike White, and Ben DiNucci.
This relatively small number speaks to the team’s preference for stability at the quarterback position, especially considering the long-term success they’ve had with quarterbacks like Tony Romo and Dak Prescott.
5 Yard Stud
With the stability the Cowboys have shown at quarterback, now 19 years of either Tony Romo or Dak Prescott under center when healthy, you’d think the Cowboys were excellent at drafting quarterbacks.
Romo was undrafted, and Prescott was a fourth-round pick after the Cowboys whiffed on Connor Cook in the second round.
The list of quarterbacks drafted this century by the Dallas Cowboys is very short compared to other teams.
Quincy Carter
Drafted: 2001, 2nd round (53rd overall)
The Cowboys’ first quarterback drafted since 1991 was Quincy Carter, taken in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft.
Carter, who showed flashes of potential during his early years with the Cowboys, struggled to establish long-term success in the NFL. Despite the hope surrounding his selection, Carter’s time with the team was marked by inconsistency, and he was eventually released after the 2003 season.
His tenure was short-lived, but Carter’s drafting remains a reminder of the Cowboys’ early attempts to find a franchise quarterback in the post-Troy Aikman era.
Stephen McGee
Drafted: 2009, 4th round (101st overall)
After seeing a couple of years of Romo’s style of play, the Cowboys once again turned to the draft to find a potential future quarterback in 2009, selecting Stephen McGee in the fourth round.
McGee, a former Texas A&M standout, was seen as a developmental project who could one day take over for Romo.
However, McGee never saw significant playing time during his tenure with the Cowboys and was released after the 2012 season.
His selection, much like Carter’s, underscored the Cowboys’ struggles in the early 2000s to find a long-term answer at quarterback in the draft.
Dak Prescott
Drafted: 2016, 4th round (135th overall)
The Cowboys’ quarterback woes took a dramatic turn for the better in 2016 when they selected Dak Prescott in the fourth round of the NFL Draft.
Prescott, a star at Mississippi State, was not viewed as an immediate starter, but his breakout rookie season quickly changed that perception.
He replaced an injured Tony Romo and went on to lead the Cowboys to a 13-3 record, earning the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award.
Prescott’s selection marked a turning point for the Cowboys, as he became the face of the franchise and one of the league’s premier quarterbacks.
Mike White
Drafted: 2018, 5th round (171st overall)
In 2018, the Cowboys drafted Mike White in the fifth round, a signal that they wanted to ensure depth at the quarterback position behind Prescott.
Coincidentally, White was taken two years after Prescott got his first start. McGee was also drafted two years after Romo’s first full season as the starter.
White was a developmental pick, but he struggled to earn a meaningful role within the team. He spent the majority of his time on the practice squad, with limited opportunities to show what he could do in regular-season games.
White’s time in Dallas was brief, and he eventually moved on to the New York Jets, where he had a short-lived stint as their starting quarterback.
Ben DiNucci
Drafted: 2020, 7th round (231st overall)
The Cowboys’ most recent quarterback draft selection was Ben DiNucci, taken in the seventh round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
DiNucci, a former James Madison University quarterback, was another low-risk developmental pick. He played sparingly, notably starting a game during the 2020 season when both Prescott and backup Andy Dalton were injured.
DiNucci’s performance in that game was not enough to cement his place as a viable backup, and he was later waived.
His brief and unremarkable stint further emphasized the Cowboys’ inability to find a reliable backup quarterback.
Could the 2025 draft hold the answer?
As of 2025, Dak Prescott is still the unquestioned starter for the Cowboys, but the question remains: who is the team’s backup quarterback?
Prescott has been durable throughout his career, but given the physical demands of the quarterback position and his recent injury history, it’s inevitable that the Cowboys will need a reliable backup plan.
The 2025 NFL Draft could provide an opportunity for the Cowboys to address this need. Prescott is in his 30s, and while he has shown no blatant signs of slowing down, it would be wise for the Cowboys to prepare for the future.
Drafting a quarterback to develop under Prescott could provide insurance in case of injury or unexpected decline, while also ensuring that the team has a viable option in place if they eventually need to move on from Prescott.
A backup drafted in 2025 could follow a similar path to Prescott himself: starting as a developmental player behind a proven starter with the opportunity to eventually take over.
The Cowboys have a long history of drafting quarterbacks late in the draft, but the need for a strong backup is evident.
Whether it’s through scouting the later rounds or targeting a potential gem in the mid-rounds, the 2025 draft could finally address a position that’s been historically neglected.