CFZ The best NFL teams draft QBs even when they have a good starter

[Diehardblues]

Jethro is clueless. QB controversy or not. for him its maximizing profits each year and raising ticket prices based on one good year. and creating hope and keeping fans interested.

Yep and not bringing in potential QB controversies with a legit heir apparent on the bench which was the basis of this thread.

 

[Reid1boys]

The QB position is THE hardest to find sustainable, quality talent. It often requires several attempts before finding a QB that has real value. Doesn’t mean you have to use Day one or two draft picks every year, but there is certainly evidence that even after you find a quality starting QB, your team should still be QB shopping in the draft often.

For some reason, our front office does not choose to draft QBs very often. Since JJ bought the team in 1989, the Cowboys have drafted 7 QBs. That’s 7 QBs in 34 years. From 1992-2009, the Cowboys only drafted 2 QBs- Quincy Carter in 2001 and Stephen McGee in 2009. From 2010-23, we have drafted 3 QBs- Dak, Mike White and Ben DiNucci.

Part of this was because of finding Tony Romo as an UFA in 2003 and stumbling upon Dak in round 4 in 2016. But it is still interesting how little the Cowboys have used draft capital to draft a QB. In the combined 19 years of the Cowboys having Romo and Dak under center, the Cowboys have only drafted 4 QBs.

One of the things I’ve noticed is the habit of many of the better NFL organizations is drafting QBs even when they have a quality starter. Look at these three organizations’ approach to drafting QB talent, even when they had a great starter:

• Green Bay- even when Brett Favre was QB, putting together a HOF career, the pack drafted 9 QBs in 13 drafts. In 2005, they drafted Aaron Rodgers in round 1, and went to 5 NFC championships and won a SB with Rodgers, yet in the 18 seasons Rodgers was in GB, the pack still drafted 6 QBs.
  
  
• San Francisco- the niners have played in 6 NFC championships and 2 SBs in this century and they have done that with 4 different starting QBs. Their habit of acquiring QB talent even when they have a great starter goes all the way back to the 80s when they acquired Steve Young in a trade with the Bucs when they already had the great Joe Montana. The niners have drafted 6 QBs in the last 12 drafts, and their draft of Brock Purdy with the last pick of the 2022 draft, even after drafting Trey Lance in round 1 in 2021 paid big dividends last season.
  
  
• New England- in the 20 seasons the GOAT Tom Brady was winning SBs in NE, the pats still drafted 9 QBs. Three of those QBs- Jacoby Brissett, Matt Cassel, and Jimmy Garropolo all were traded for better draft capital than they were originally drafted. New England‘s philosophy of drafting QBs even when they had the greatest QB in NFL history served them well.
  
  
• Kansas City- KC had Alex Smith from 2013-17, and he led the chiefs to the playoffs in 4 of his 5 seasons there. He was certainly seen as a good starter. Yet the chiefs chose to trade up in round 1 to draft Patrick Mahomes in 2017. No one knew Pat Mahomes was going to be what he turned into. And I’m a Texas Tech fan who saw Mahomes play in person 5 times!

Bottom line- IMO the Cowboys would be wise to draft a QB more often. The above teams have drafted QBs even with HOF talent in place. Regardless of what happens with Dak and his future with Dallas, this organization needs to draft a QB more often.

Favre was on his way out when they drafted Rodgers.... it just took longer than expected for Favre to finally be gone.
SF has not really had "The Man," since steve young.... so yea, makes sense.

New England.... who caes. Drafting a qb was a wasted pick for them.

Kansas City had a qb that nobody felt could win a SB when they drafted Mahomes.... and it was true, because Alex Smith never did a thing in the playoffs.

How well is drafting QBs helping NE since Tom Terrific left town? My daughter sent me a clip of Cowherd saying as I have said for a very long time... Billy boy is just a guy without Tom. Let me know when KC drafts another QB....

 

[Coogiguy03]

The QB position is THE hardest to find sustainable, quality talent. It often requires several attempts before finding a QB that has real value. Doesn’t mean you have to use Day one or two draft picks every year, but there is certainly evidence that even after you find a quality starting QB, your team should still be QB shopping in the draft often.

For some reason, our front office does not choose to draft QBs very often. Since JJ bought the team in 1989, the Cowboys have drafted 7 QBs. That’s 7 QBs in 34 years. From 1992-2009, the Cowboys only drafted 2 QBs- Quincy Carter in 2001 and Stephen McGee in 2009. From 2010-23, we have drafted 3 QBs- Dak, Mike White and Ben DiNucci.

Part of this was because of finding Tony Romo as an UFA in 2003 and stumbling upon Dak in round 4 in 2016. But it is still interesting how little the Cowboys have used draft capital to draft a QB. In the combined 19 years of the Cowboys having Romo and Dak under center, the Cowboys have only drafted 4 QBs.

One of the things I’ve noticed is the habit of many of the better NFL organizations is drafting QBs even when they have a quality starter. Look at these three organizations’ approach to drafting QB talent, even when they had a great starter:

• Green Bay- even when Brett Favre was QB, putting together a HOF career, the pack drafted 9 QBs in 13 drafts. In 2005, they drafted Aaron Rodgers in round 1, and went to 5 NFC championships and won a SB with Rodgers, yet in the 18 seasons Rodgers was in GB, the pack still drafted 6 QBs.
  
  
• San Francisco- the niners have played in 6 NFC championships and 2 SBs in this century and they have done that with 4 different starting QBs. Their habit of acquiring QB talent even when they have a great starter goes all the way back to the 80s when they acquired Steve Young in a trade with the Bucs when they already had the great Joe Montana. The niners have drafted 6 QBs in the last 12 drafts, and their draft of Brock Purdy with the last pick of the 2022 draft, even after drafting Trey Lance in round 1 in 2021 paid big dividends last season.
  
  
• New England- in the 20 seasons the GOAT Tom Brady was winning SBs in NE, the pats still drafted 9 QBs. Three of those QBs- Jacoby Brissett, Matt Cassel, and Jimmy Garropolo all were traded for better draft capital than they were originally drafted. New England‘s philosophy of drafting QBs even when they had the greatest QB in NFL history served them well.
  
  
• Kansas City- KC had Alex Smith from 2013-17, and he led the chiefs to the playoffs in 4 of his 5 seasons there. He was certainly seen as a good starter. Yet the chiefs chose to trade up in round 1 to draft Patrick Mahomes in 2017. No one knew Pat Mahomes was going to be what he turned into. And I’m a Texas Tech fan who saw Mahomes play in person 5 times!

Bottom line- IMO the Cowboys would be wise to draft a QB more often. The above teams have drafted QBs even with HOF talent in place. Regardless of what happens with Dak and his future with Dallas, this organization needs to draft a QB more often.

They said they wanted to draft a QB this year, but they didn't do it. My theory on this is DON'T GET ANYONE WHO COULD CATCH A HOT STREAK while the starter is out from injury, causing fans to be high on the backup rather than the starter! I don't think this team likes that too much!

 

[Coogiguy03]

All I know is if Dak fails this season, they best draft a QB in the top rounds. Even if they extend Dak for 2 years, or whatever.

However we know this will not happen. If Dak gets extended. It will be for 4 years. Therefore, no QB will be drafted for at least 3 years after this season.
Unless a late round pick for a back up QB.

I like how you go back and forth, you're so right about what you said! They don't want to even think about letting him go, especially if he were to fail! "We have had no thoughts in getting another qb to replace Dak, he's our guy for the future going forward!"

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

He actually doesn't use a previous season's success to jack the rates. He's like the other 31, keep going until they say stop. It is always about supply/demand for the premium seats.

he is not a GM. he is an owner, with a focus on increasing value, so its always in conflict with the GM (imagine what's going on in his head)

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

Yep and not bringing in potential QB controversies with a legit heir apparent on the bench which was the basis of this thread.

and lets just be clear. Rush is nothing close to an heir apparent. neither would have been Manziel or Lynch to romo

 

[Diehardblues]

and lets just be clear. Rush is nothing close to an heir apparent. neither would have been Manziel or Lynch to romo

No doubt with Rush. But with Manziel and Lynch as 1st round picks they would have definitely been considered heir apparent’s.

Now whether they stunk it up when given the opportunity is another story but coming in they would have been a potential threat.

 

[Diehardblues]

he is not a GM. he is an owner, with a focus on increasing value, so its always in conflict with the GM (imagine what's going on in his head)

Correct. It’s always been a conflict of interest for Jethro wearing both hats . I’d argue his owners hat wins over his GM hat most of the time . And why our priorities are out of whack.

 

[DFWJC]

Agree
Dallas should try to draft a QB every year, but its tough to do at times.
Now with the extra roster spot for an emergency QB, this would seem easier.

Fwiw
They drafted Dak when they had Romo
They drafted White when they had Dak
They drafted Denucci when they had Dak
They used a UDFA on Rush when they had Dak
and they regularly bring in younger experimental guys as FAs (Grier, etc)

I too wish we would swing higher, but they aren't completely dead in the water

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

No doubt with Rush. But with Manziel and Lynch as 1st round picks they would have definitely been considered heir apparent’s.

Now whether they stunk it up when given the opportunity is another story but coming in they would have been a potential threat.

Would have been, but stunknit up.

My point was about talent recognition. At QB position we don't have it and been more lucky than good. Both Romo and Dak were lucky finds

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

Correct. It’s always been a conflict of interest for Jethro wearing both hats . I’d argue his owners hat wins over his GM hat most of the time . And why our priorities are out of whack.

Totally agree and I have made point many times.

 

[rambo2]

Correct. It’s always been a conflict of interest for Jethro wearing both hats . I’d argue his owners hat wins over his GM hat most of the time . And why our priorities are out of whack.

Are they out of whack now?

 

[Diehardblues]

Are they out of whack now?

Yes and will continue to be regardless the results.

 

[Diehardblues]

Would have been, but stunknit up.

My point was about talent recognition. At QB position we don't have it and been more lucky than good. Both Romo and Dak were lucky finds

Of course but the point remains of this topic of conversation that our leadership doesn’t choose to bring in heir apparent QB’s .

Do you want to offer your thoughts on why?

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

Of course but the point remains of this topic of conversation that our leadership doesn’t choose to bring in heir apparent QB’s .

Do you want to offer your thoughts on why?

I am not sure, I think its not about winning championships and building dynasties. Its about Money. so you fill positions with competend and good players, and you milk them. you want some level of success, to put butts in seats and raise ticket prices. as a result we are caught in the middle. not bad, so end up with high draft pick and not good enough, so the tendency has been to fill obvious gaps with high round picks in an attempt to get us closer. Add to it the Coaching debacles in Wade, Garrett and then assigning Moore as the next genuis and forcing MM to have him on staff as part of his deal. even as a GM, Jerry Meddles too much. his business relationship with Smith, had him hand the club foot LB a huge contract and got nothing in return. even when it was obvious on film, he tended to just hold on too long because of his relationship with Smith. he doesn't have a long term plan, only short term and year to year. he shoots himself in the foot constantly. He could have signed Dak to a much smaller contract, but didn't want to give in to a 2M average per year, thus played hard ball. had no back up plan (Heir apparent), and tagged him. that Tag year, cost him as much as the difference in contract ask. and then got cornered again and had no choice but to give a large contract to Dak.

now, I am not saying Dak is a bad QB, but he leaves himself no choice in the negotiations. its the same with all other positions. its rare that he gets smart and walks away (the cupboard is not empty). but its far in between.

even with Aikman, he had no heir apparent plan. over drafted quincy. seemingly we as an organization are good at drafting and evaluating some positions and just plain suck at others. We can't draft QBs, DTs, get lucky on DEs, average at LB evaluation but really good with OL, RBs, DBs. and that again points to a GM issue. he as the owner tends to fall in love with the marketing opportunities of players, rather than skill and fit.

 

[Diehardblues]

I am not sure, I think its not about winning championships and building dynasties. Its about Money. so you fill positions with competend and good players, and you milk them. you want some level of success, to put butts in seats and raise ticket prices. as a result we are caught in the middle. not bad, so end up with high draft pick and not good enough, so the tendency has been to fill obvious gaps with high round picks in an attempt to get us closer. Add to it the Coaching debacles in Wade, Garrett and then assigning Moore as the next genuis and forcing MM to have him on staff as part of his deal. even as a GM, Jerry Meddles too much. his business relationship with Smith, had him hand the club foot LB a huge contract and got nothing in return. even when it was obvious on film, he tended to just hold on too long because of his relationship with Smith. he doesn't have a long term plan, only short term and year to year. he shoots himself in the foot constantly. He could have signed Dak to a much smaller contract, but didn't want to give in to a 2M average per year, thus played hard ball. had no back up plan (Heir apparent), and tagged him. that Tag year, cost him as much as the difference in contract ask. and then got cornered again and had no choice but to give a large contract to Dak.

now, I am not saying Dak is a bad QB, but he leaves himself no choice in the negotiations. its the same with all other positions. its rare that he gets smart and walks away (the cupboard is not empty). but its far in between.

even with Aikman, he had no heir apparent plan. over drafted quincy. seemingly we as an organization are good at drafting and evaluating some positions and just plain suck at others. We can't draft QBs, DTs, get lucky on DEs, average at LB evaluation but really good with OL, RBs, DBs. and that again points to a GM issue. he as the owner tends to fall in love with the marketing opportunities of players, rather than skill and fit.

Yes , the money is the driving force . But the motivating factor behind it has always been my focus .

His initial passion is to be a celebrity football guy. And in order to keep from facing the pressure to make a change in his ways he has revolutionized generating revenue. That’s where the money comes in .

I’ve always argued if his revenue was threatened then he might have to change his ways .

 

[rambo2]

Yes and will continue to be regardless the results.

Interesting, so if they win 13 games and then win the Super Bowl, they are still out of whack.

 

[Diehardblues]

Interesting, so if they win 13 games and then win the Super Bowl, they are still out of whack.

Our ownership is, yes.

 

[Vtwin]

You would think the value of taking a flyer on a mid/late round QB would be front and center in Jerry's mind since it's just that very thing that produced the two best QBs of his tenure, after Aikman of course.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Our ownership is, yes.

If they win a ring you’d feel that way?