When it comes to the quarterback position, Dallas Cowboys fans have been quite lucky. Since the days of Roger Staubach and Troy Aikman, “America's Team” often seems to have quality quarterback play. After years of Tony Romo holding the position down, Dak Prescott has taken over as Dallas's clear franchise quarterback.
In six seasons as the Cowboys' starting quarterback, he has progressed immensely and is now one of the league's best quarterbacks. With 22,083 passing yards, 143 touchdowns, and 50 interceptions in his career, he has been productive and efficient. These are not empty stats either as the Cowboys are 53-32 under his watch. In 2021, he had one of his best seasons with 4,449 passing yards, 37 touchdowns, and ten interceptions
Despite all of these numbers and wins, Prescott may be most remembered for his injury in 2020. After a scorching start to the season, he fractured and dislocated his right ankle. Of course, this was a season-ending injury that left the Cowboys scrambling. With Andy Dalton, Ben DiNucci, and Garrett Gilbert all seeing playing time over the course of the season, Dallas finished 6-10.
Dallas Should Add A Young Quarterback
When the Cowboys drafted Prescott in the fourth round back in 2016, many considered it a strange pick as they already had Romo entrenched as their starter. However, the front office was quickly proven right when Romo was injured in the pre-season. Prescott would go on to win Rookie Of The Year and the rest is history.
Currently behind Prescott on the depth chart is long-time backup Cooper Rush. With one start in four seasons, Rush has 422 passing yards, three touchdowns, and one interception. Respectable numbers that will probably earn him the backup job for another season. However, if Prescott were to go down again it is a mystery whether he would be able to keep the team afloat for a lengthy period of time.
In the 2021 NFL Draft, the Cowboys will have the option to add another young passer in later rounds like they did back in 2016 with Prescott. Some options in the fourth round could include Nevada's Carson Strong or Western Kentucky's Bailey Zappe.
Strong represents a high upside option due to his high-end arm talent. While he has also dealt with injuries in the past, he could be a valuable commodity as a developmental backup. Zappe lit up the stat sheet in college but does not possess the same upside as Strong. Still, he has all the makings of a long-term backup which has value in its own right.
In the NFL, quarterbacks are the most valuable currency. While Dak Prescott is the clear starter and franchise quarterback, the Cowboys should continue to attempt to add to the position. Simply, the value of hitting on a late-round quarterback is far greater than doing so at any other position. Should the Cowboys select a quarterback in April's draft, they will be adding depth at the most valuable position in the league while also securing a potential premium trade chip.
