America's Cowboy
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Agree with everything, except drafting in rounds 1 - 3. Get your backup in the 4th - 5th...or possibly late 3rd if you have multiple picks in the 3rd.It seems like every other season the Cowboys had to depend on winning games without their starter. They soon recognized this and it forced them to pay very good cap money. Then, they hoped the player never got the opportunity to earn it.
It's very rare to find a backup with the potential to be a starter in the league. When one is available, they become expensive.
The Cowboys have tried two different strategies. One is to overpay for a veteran with starting experience. The other is to rely on the drafting in the 3rd day and rookie free agents. Unfortunately, the only rookie QB's that can make it are the ones that never have to play. When it becomes necessary we soon discover why they were rookie free agents and 3rd day picks.
There are exceptions, of course, but they are just that...exceptions. It is not a "high yield" strategy for backup QB's
However, a team that will commit to drafting QB's in the 1st to 3rd rounds every three years, more or less, they will have better talent and potential to work with from a statistical probability standpoint. There are many other benefits as well.
First, there is actual competition. Most players, including quarterbacks will admit to putting in extra effort if there is a perception that the backup is catching up to his skill set.
Secondly and, just as important, is the cost. Comparatively, the team now has the potential talent without the cap hit. That is even more important if your starter is one of the highest paid.
Third, there is always the potential for trade. if your backup had an opportunity to showcase his potential and another team is interested, there may be incredible value to the team.
Fourth, he will be drafted based on the team's system and he will learn the team's system. Veterans do not offer the flexibility of choosing one that fits the system. If the veteran QB is ever needed, the system has to change to fit his abilities of lack thereof.
If a QB is drafted in the 1st to 3rd round every 3rd season then you always have a rookie at the same time your previous backup is in his contract year.
When you think of some of the 1st to 3rd picks the Cowboys have wasted in the past, would this really effect the overall talent acquisition that much?