Why the Dallas Cowboys won't draft a quarterback in 2017

Even though the Dallas Cowboys only have two quarterbacks currently on the roster heading in 2017, do not expect them to use a draft pick on one this year.

At the time of the writing of this article, the Dallas Cowboys currently have two quarterbacks on the roster. Those two players have accounted for eighteen NFL starts collectively.

To say that the Cowboys are green at the game’s most important position is an understatement.

Thankfully, one of those two quarterbacks just so happens to be the brightest young star (pun intended) at the position.

In Dak Prescott, the Cowboys have their leading man for the next 12-15 years. That’s a luxury only a finite number of NFL teams can boast.

Behind him is a quarterback that the coaching staff has confidence in as not only the main backup to Prescott, but also as someone who could step in for a game or two if need be.

You may not think that much of Kellen Moore, but two guys who played quarterback in this league for over two decades dig him. One of them being Cowboys offensive coordinator Scott Linehan, who coached Moore during a stint with the Detroit Lions.

For the 2017 season at least, I believe one position on Dallas’ depth chart is already complete. Barring injury, Prescott is QB1 and Moore is QB2.

Beyond that is anyone’s guess.

We know for a fact that Dallas will have to pick up another quarterback, if only to serve as a camp arm. What we don’t know if where this mystery man will come from.

ESPN’s “NFL Nation” took their opportunity recently to prognosticate if their team will or won’t draft a QB. If you’re unfamiliar, NFL Nation is made up of a gaggle of writers that follow their specific team.

For the Cowboys, it’s Todd Archer.

I like Todd. In my opinion, he’s one of the best Cowboys media guys out there. Unfortunately, he and I disagree on this particular point.

Here’s what Archer wrote recently about what he believes the Cowboys will do at quarterback this offseason:

"While they have said they need to look to the defense in the draft, they will take a quarterback in the middle to late rounds as a potential backup of the future. – Todd Archer, ESPN.com"

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Here’s why that’s not going to happen.

First of all, this quarterback draft class in amongst the worst in many years. With probably no more than seven quarterbacks worth actually drafting, it would be a throw away of a selection.

Also, given that three or four of those seven will go in the first sixty picks or so, the value is just not there.

Secondly, with two young guys already in the top two spots on the depth chart, it doesn’t really make sense to add a third.

That third quarterback almost certainly should be a veteran. I already lobbied for the best guy for the job two weeks ago and I’m sticking with that. If the Dallas Cowboys choose not to go that route, however, there are two other possible options.

Shaun Hill has had two different stints under offensive coordinator Scott Linehan. From 2002-04, he and Linehan were with the Vikings, while from 2010-13 they paired up in Detroit.

The most notable season was that 2010 with the Lions where Hill started ten games, completing over 60% of his passes. He also threw more touchdowns than interceptions. As a third string, fail safe option, you could do a lot worse.

The other option is free Austin Davis. He’s another guy with a career completion percentage over 60% with more touchdowns than interceptions. He would also be cheaper than Hill in regards to the veteran minimum.

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Both would be better options than anything the Cowboys will draft in rounds 4-7, at least this year. For that reason alone, don’t expect for Dallas to use a day three selection on another signal caller.

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Why the Dallas Cowboys won’t draft a quarterback in 2017

By Tyrone Starr | Apr 11, 2017

Even though the Dallas Cowboys only have two quarterbacks currently on the roster heading in 2017, do not expect them to use a draft pick on one this year.

More from The Landry Hat