You can never really have too many options at quarterback which is why the Dallas Cowboys should draft one soon.
That's not a knock against Tony Romo. The guy just put up the best completion percentage and passer rating of his life while throwing for a career high 34 touchdowns. But he just turned 35-years-old and has a notoriously creaky back. Thinking about the future in the present is the prudent move.
The Cowboys have been linked to Sean Mannion in the draft but ESPN NFL Insider Kevin Weidl believes Baylor's Bryce Petty could be the pick tonight.
"This is an ideal fit for Petty, a local product who would have the ability to sit and learn behind Tony Romo and be groomed as a potential replacement down the road."
Petty has the arm strength of Thor and throws an incredible deep ball. Seriously, his zips balls in there and has above average pocket mobility. But questions about Petty's ability to read NFL defenses and work through progressions remain.
He's a great competitor but Baylor's up-tempo offense isn't exactly the best test of NFL prowess. Petty was not required to make audibles or set protections at the line of scrimmage. He mostly made post-snap decisions in an option heavy offense. In the pros, he'll have to learn how to make pre-snap reads and identify defenses.
But all hope is not lost. Petty did, after all, throw for over 3,800 yards last season with 29 touchdowns and only seven interceptions. In four years at Baylor, Petty produced a 6.2-to-1 TD-to-INT ration. That's a good start for a QB prospect.
Will the Cowboys make him the heir apparent to Romo? Find out tonight.
