Should the Dallas Cowboys target a veteran quarterback?
When free agency comes around this March, should the Dallas Cowboys look at trying to obtain themselves a valuable veteran backup quarterback?
This offseason, the Dallas Cowboys have many areas of need they could address in free agency. Wide receiver, linebacker, and defensive line help seem like the most obvious needs. But another intriguing option may be exploring the veteran quarterback market.
There’s no debate Dak Prescott regressed in 2017. Now, there are a multitude of reasons to explain his regression. Injuries to his offensive line, the loss of star running back Ezekiel Elliott, and poor production from a veteran receiving core. But the regression was very apparent.
One thing that Prescott had in his rookie season that he did not have last year was a veteran presence in the quarterback room. In 2016, the Cowboys had quarterback Mark Sanchez as their backup for most of the season. And they also had Tony Romo in the room to help Dak.
Sanchez and Romo both had been around the league for a very long time, and could give Dak tons of advice and experience on dealing with everything a young NFL quarterback goes through.
In the 2018 free agent class, there are some valuable backup quarterback with a lot of experience available, that may be able to help Prescott progress, and get him going back in the right direction.
One possible option could be 35-year old journeymen, Ryan Fitzpatrick. Playing for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2017, Fitzpatrick appeared in six games, throwing for 1103 yards, and seven touchdowns to three interceptions.
Over the course of his career, the 35 year old has started 119 games, and has fairly successful when given a chance to play. Fitzpatrick could be a perfect fit to help Prescott, and he could use his extensive knowledge of being in the league for 13 years to do this.
Another possible option via free agency could be Josh McCown. The 38-year old played for the New York Jets in 2017, and threw for 2,926 yards, and 18 touchdowns to nine interceptions, in 13 games. McCown is another vet who has been around for a long time, appearing in 95 games over his 14-year career.
McCown would also be able to help mentor Prescott, and when he was on the field in 2017, actually played very well and could give the Cowboys a chance to win if Dak is unable to play.
A final possible free agent option could be 33-year old Matt Moore. The former training camp Dallas Cowboy played for the Miami Dolphins in 2017, and threw for 861 yards, and four touchdowns to five interceptions.
Back in 2007 the Cowboys signed Moore as an undrafted free agent, and tried to get him on their practice squad at the end of camp, before he was claimed by the Carolina Panthers.
Moore has proved a valuable backup in the NFL for many years now, and in his only season appearing in 10 or more games in 2011, he actually preformed very well. Moore may have the least amount of experience of the group, but may give Dallas the best chance to win games if they are without Prescott.
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All in all, the Cowboys could benefit greatly by adding a veteran quarterback to their roster. With an experienced quarterback in the room, the Cowboys can help evolve the progression of their young franchise quarterback Dak Prescott.