FRISCO — The Dallas Cowboys draw the spotlight any time they are active in acquiring talent. Just weeks ago, fans saw that phenomenon play out when they traded for quarterback Joe Milton III.
Dallas had no ill intentions to starter Dak Prescott. Rather, the Cowboys diligently explored their options and assessed a team need in a positive way before the NFL Draft.
Advertisement
Regardless, national talking heads looking to stir the pot and interpreted that move as a threat to Prescott’s job security. The Cowboys will keep those distractions to the side, focusing instead on how they will benefit on draft day from this move.
The plan before the Milton trade happened was for the team to utilize a late-round pick on a quarterback. Dallas would not suffer from carrying on with that strategy, but the need is less urgent and the team can explore other alternatives for their roster.
That said, Milton’s impact still looms large over the draft without regard to the Cowboys. His Week 18 trial run with the New England Patriots certainly raised his stock around the league, but also cost them valuable draft positioning.
The Patriots will select No. 4 overall despite having held the No. 1 pick heading into the final week of the 2024 regular season. Milton had other plans, completing 22 of 29 passes for 241 yards and a touchdown, adding a rushing touchdown to the final tally.
Advertisement
Since the preseason, there was some level of intrigue around Milton and the potential of the Patriots housing two starting caliber quarterbacks on their roster. That luxury ironically cost them.
New England will still get a quality player at the top of the draft. However, their placement could put a unicorn prospect like Travis Hunter out of reach. Having solidified the first phase of their rebuild by installing Drake Maye under center, the clear next step would be adding a player of that caliber early in the draft.
There is a ripple effect from there of course, with three other teams now benefitting from this change and potentially several others who will be adjusting from what their draft plans would have been.
However, there is no denying the newest Cowboys’ quarterback has his fingerprints all over the 2025 draft.
Related: Cowboys Urged To Draft 4.3-Speed ‘Slasher’ In Late-Round Steal
Related: Cowboys Predicted To Shockingly Wait To Draft Receiver
