Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has been making it known that he wants to add a quality quarterback to his roster this offseason and, really, can you blame him? Following a stellar 12-4 campaign in 2014, the Cowboys crumbled this year to a 4-12 record with 35-year-old Tony Romo missing all but four games due to injuries. Romo has now missed at least one game in three straight seasons, and given his age and the awful play of Dallas' backups, it's a smart move for Jones to be thinking about the future right now.
ESPN NFL Draft Insider Todd McShay believes that the Cowboys will draft Romo's heir apparent this offseason. In his Mock Draft 2.0, he projects Jones to take North Dakota State quarterback Carson Wentz with the No. 4 overall pick.
"Now that I'm deep into Wentz's tape, I feel very comfortable saying he's a legit first-round talent," McShay wrote. "He has the height, sturdy frame, natural accuracy, pocket mobility and on-field leadership you look for in a QB. He was 20-3 as a starter at NDSU and won two FCS national titles. You could certainly make a case for the Cowboys taking the best available D-line prospect, such as Oregon's DeForest Buckner. But if Dallas is sold on Wentz (or Goff, if he's available), this could prove to be a very wise long-term investment at the game's most important position."
This isn't the first time Buckner has been linked to the Cowboys given their need for pass-rushers. But McShay is right to point out the long-term upside of grabbing a quarterback the team believes in. Look at the Green Bay Packers from Brett Favre to Aaron Rodgers and then look at the Arizona Cardinals from Kurt Warner to the muck they put under center. One approach leads to consistent winning, and the other leaves you in no man's land for years.
Some are denying Dallas' interest in Wentz already, but it does make some sense on paper. Don't rule anything out until we get closer to the draft.
