Are the Cowboys bluffing about taking a quarterback early?

Are the Dallas Cowboys playing up the fact they might be take a quarterback early in the draft in order to spark a trade?

The Dallas Cowboys desperately need quality quarterback play behind starter Tony Romo. The Cowboys tumbled down the standings during a devastating 4-12 season in 2014 after Romo injured his collarbone twice. Without their normal starter under center, Dallas’ three back-up quarterbacks were only able to muster one single victory in 12 games.

More from The Landry Hat

Although the Cowboys are open to the idea of signing a veteran in free agency, most experts speculate Dallas will use a high selection in April’s NFL Draft to find their future franchise quarterback to groom behind Romo.

As the Cowboys coaching staff were selected to work with the North team in the Senior Bowl, most penciled in North Dakota State quarterback Carson Wentz as their main target with the fourth overall pick in the draft. Acting like fuel on that speculation, Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones trotted onto the Senior Bowl practice field mid-week and made it a media photo opportunity to shake Wentz’s hand in their first official meeting.

But could the Cowboys simply be playing into all that speculation in order to get the player they actually want? Possibly, as it’s all smoke and mirrors at this point of the offseason. But one longtime Cowboys reporter believes Dallas has no interest at all in drafting a quarterback early.

"“I don’t think that that’s gonna happen at all,” responded Dallas Morning News reporter Jon Machota. “I think Jerry on purpose – he was only out there for Wednesday – made it a point to go and talk to Carson Wentz after that practice was over. On the field … where everybody could see … allowed all of us to come up, including cameras running on it. I think he did that on purpose. I don’t think they’re taking a quarterback at four at all.”"

Machota continued by explaining how the Cowboys see other teams making it to the Super Bowl with older quarterbacks like New England’s Tom Brady and Denver’s Peyton Manning because of an improved defense. They figure they can do the same with Romo.

In fact, the Cowboys may have their eye on a certain player and hope to spark a trade above them for one of those rookie gunslingers. Thus allowing one of those top three players that aren’t quarterbacks to fall into their laps.

It certainly makes sense as you’d like to get a player with the fourth overall pick who will actually see the field in 2016, instead of holding a clipboard behind Romo on the sidelines. I’d like to see Dallas add a bridge quarterback in free agency such as Robert Griffin III, and possibly a late round draft selection well. Although the Cowboys may never have this high of a first round selection again anytime soon, there simply aren’t any Aaron Rodgers or Andrew Luck-level players in this draft class.

Next: Dollars and Sense: Will the Cowboys upgrade at running back?

Thank you for reading the above article. It’s our sincere hope you’ll visit our site often as we work really hard to provide Cowboys fans with fresh, daily content about their favorite team. Please feel free to take part in further discussions about this topic below in our comment section. All we ask is that each participant is respectful in both their responses and towards others. Thanks again and…Go Cowboys!

Home/Cowboys Draft