CFZ The better teams in the NFL are often drafting QBs

[Bobhaze]

Here’s a very revealing stat: Since 2000 - the last 24 drafts - the Cowboys have only drafted 6 QBs. Here’s the list:

• 2001- Quincy Carter round 2
• 2007- Isiah Stanback- round 4 (never took a snap as a QB because he was converted to WR)
• 2009- Stephen McGee, round 4 (part of the worst draft in team history)
• 2016- Dak Prescott, round 4
• 2018- Mike White, round 6
• 2020- Ben DiNucci- round 7

That’s it. Six QBs drafted in 24 drafts. We’ve drafted 2 QB in the last 8 drafts and that was 6th rounder Mike White and 7th rounder Ben DiNucci. That’s just crazy.

Looking at the teams in the 21st century with the most success, they draft QBs often. Even if they already have a HOF QB in place. Look at the number of QBs these teams have drafted since 2000:

• Patriots: 13 (they drafted 12 after getting the GOAT Tom Brady!)
• Niners: 11 (They drafted Brock Purdy the year after drafting Trey Lance in round 1)
• Broncos: 11
• Ravens: 10 (they drafted Lamar Jackson when they already had SB MVP Joe Flacco)
• Eagles: 10
• Packers: 8 (they drafted Aaron Rodgers with the 24th pick 3 yrs before Favre left and drafted Jordan Love with the 26th pick when they had Rodgers!)
• Chiefs: 7 (they moved up in the draft to get Mahomes in 2017 when they already had Alex Smith who had just taken them to the playoffs)

Every single one of those teams have won multiple conference championships and either won or played in multiple SBs since 2000. The Cowboys have drafted 6 QBs in the same time frame and have zero conference championship appearances. That’s not a coincidence. For whatever reason, Jerry has acted like “we’re set at QB“ without any interest in finding a diamond in the rough as so many other teams have.

It’s pretty clear that the better teams the last two decades know how important it is to draft a QB. Even if you already have a QB you like. There’s a fundamental truth at play here: You can’t find a diamond in the rough at QB if you don’t even try.

Late edit: It’s six QBs drafted not five. Missed Mike White in 2018. Thanks @TheMarathonContinues

 

[big dog cowboy]

The level of failure in not drafting a QB is beyond belief. The most important position on the team yet the Cowboys are dumpster diving shoppers. Thinking there are other positions that need addressed more than QB has resulted in no champion game appearances blah blah blah. Another epic failure of the Jones clan. Just one more thing that doesn't make sense.

Good post Bob!

 

[Asklesko]

Conclusion: we're not one of the better teams in the NFL.

 

[Bobhaze]

The level of failure in not drafting a QB is beyond belief. The most important position on the team yet the Cowboys are dumpster diving shoppers. Thinking there are other positions that need addressed more than QB has resulted in no champion game appearances blah blah blah. Another epic failure of the Jones clan. Just one more thing that doesn't make sense.

Good post Bob!

I was shocked looking at those numbers. And amazed at how many teams who were clearly already a great team competing for championships still knew it was important to continue to draft a QB even after having a good one in place. Our drafting only 6 QBs in 24 seasons is front office malpractice.

If you aren’t trying to find a QB in the draft, you are not giving yourself the best chance to get better at the hardest position to find talent.

 

[Mobinvans]

Agree 100%

It’s fact

It’s nuts we never spent a 1st on a qb ror 30 years

 

[Bobhaze]

Agree 100%

It’s fact

It’s nuts we never spent a 1st on a qb ror 30 years

It reveals a fundamental flaw in our team’s drafting philosophy. Somehow our GM has believed a false narrative that if you think you are “set” at QB, there’s no need to draft another one. It’s fundamentally flawed thinking as evidenced by the teams that continue to fish for a good QB even if they already have a great one.

 

[JoeKing]

Here’s a very revealing stat: Since 2000 - the last 24 drafts - the Cowboys have only drafted 5 QBs. Here’s the list:

• 2001- Quincy Carter round 2
• 2007- Isiah Stanback- round 4 (never took a snap as a QB because he was converted to WR)
• 2009- Stephen McGee, round 4 (part of the worst draft in team history)
• 2016- Dak Prescott, round 4
• 2020- Ben DiNucci- round 7

That’s it. Five QBs drafted in 24 drafts. We’ve drafted 1 QB in the last 8 drafts and that was 7th rounder Ben DiNucci. That’s just crazy.

Looking at the teams in the 21st century with the most success, they draft QBs often. Even if they already have a HOF QB in place. Look at the number of QBs these teams have drafted since 2000:

• Patriots: 13 (they drafted 12 after getting the GOAT Tom Brady!)
• Niners: 11 (They drafted Brock Purdy the year after drafting Trey Lance in round 1)
• Broncos: 11
• Ravens: 10 (they drafted Lamar Jackson when they already had SB MVP Joe Flacco)
• Eagles: 10
• Packers: 8 (they drafted Aaron Rodgers with the 24th pick 3 yrs before Favre left and drafted Jordan Love with the 26th pick when they had Rodgers!)
• Chiefs: 7 (they moved up in the draft to get Mahomes in 2017 when they already had Alex Smith who had just taken them to the playoffs)

Every single one of those teams have won multiple conference championships and either won or played in multiple SBs since 2000. The Cowboys have drafted 5 QBs in the same time frame and have zero conference championship appearances. That’s not a coincidence. For whatever reason, Jerry has acted like “we’re set at QB“ without any interest in finding a diamond in the rough as so many other teams have.

It’s pretty clear that the better teams the last two decades know how important it is to draft a QB. Even if you already have a QB you like. There’s a fundamental truth at play here: You can’t find a diamond in the rough at QB if you don’t even try.

Drafting a QB is not the only way to acquire one. I haven't researched how many the Cowboys have acquired through free agency but it's something to consider when you are bashing the Cowboys' drafting habits.

 

[pitt33]

The single biggest drafting fault within this organization.

And the result is drafting around these middling quarterbacks in an attempt to prop them up.

 

[Mac_MaloneV1]

Those teams have all wasted a lot of draft picks.

 

[Bobhaze]

Drafting a QB is not the only way to acquire one. I haven't researched how many the Cowboys have acquired through free agency but it's something to consider when you are bashing the Cowboys' drafting habits.

The Cowboys have signed multiple UFAs at QB over the years. Romo was obviously one of them. Cooper Rush is another. But the odds of an UFA being even a decent backup are very, very low compared to drafting one. Besides why is presenting these facts considered “bashing”?

 

[Bobhaze]

Those teams have all wasted a lot of draft picks.

Every team does. But again, you can’t catch a fish if you never put a hook in the water.

 

[nate dizzle]

We don't want to hurt anyone's feelings or make them feel insecure. Pressure bursts pipes and makes diamonds. Our organization is scared of the first part and doesn't believe in the 2nd.

 

[rnr_honeybadger]

Conclusion: we're not one of the better teams in the NFL.

You can't be one of the better teams when you are so horrifically mismanaged on the talent front. We have the best sales and marketing. Outside of that we are not a serious franchise about winning anything.

 

[JoeKing]

The Cowboys have signed multiple UFAs at QB over the years. Romo was obviously one of them. Cooper Rush is another. But the odds of an UFA being even a decent backup are very, very low compared to drafting one. Besides why is presenting these facts considered “bashing”?

Only 5 QBs drafted in the past 20-plus years is pathetic. Pointing that out is rightfully bashing the Cowboys, IMO. It's not meant as a criticism of your post.

 

[Pompey-Cowboy]

Is it not also true that the 10 worst teams in that time frame have drafted a lot of qb's?

The Brown's, at their worst, drafted a ton of qb's.

 

[Bobhaze]

To be fair, the Cowboys have certainly been one of the better teams in the overall drafting of talent the last two decades. But it makes the lack of even trying to draft a qb even more mystifying.

 

[Bobhaze]

Is it not also true that the 10 worst teams in that time frame have drafted a lot of qb's?

The Brown's, at their worst, drafted a ton of qb's.

That is true. But to me it just shows that even bad teams know drafting a QB is always a fundamental need.

 

[Diehardblues]

Jethro doesn’t want a QB controversy.

I recall when we had all of the rumors and speculation on Manziel. On the morning of the draft he said that he wouldn’t be drafting Romo’s heir apparent until he was retired.

Prescott wasn’t drafted to be heir apparent but more of a backup and to satisfy much criticism we needed to draft a QB cause of Romo’s injury history.

He wants to avoid the situations he has with Romo and Prescott. Cause it places him in a position to be wrong. And why he’s going to stick with Dak as long as he can.

I maintain that the reason he went with Dak over Romo is cause publicly he was better off losing with Dak than Romo even if he knew Romo provided us a better shot in playoffs. He couldn't take a chance of Romo losing again with a popular hot hand.

And this pretty well sums up why he wants to avoid these potential controversial situations. Cause he will go with public perception over what’s probably best for team. He’s more concerned with how he will be viewed or measured than the results.

Even though Lance is a former 1st round pick he doesn’t pose as an immediate threat cause he was basically a bust in SF. But enough to bring in as a backup as Cooper is sure to leave and won’t be resigned again. And being a 1st rd pick in Jethro’s mind satisfies that need to bring in a higher type draft pick to develop with no pressure cause of history in SF.

 

[Coogiguy03]

Here’s a very revealing stat: Since 2000 - the last 24 drafts - the Cowboys have only drafted 5 QBs. Here’s the list:

• 2001- Quincy Carter round 2
• 2007- Isiah Stanback- round 4 (never took a snap as a QB because he was converted to WR)
• 2009- Stephen McGee, round 4 (part of the worst draft in team history)
• 2016- Dak Prescott, round 4
• 2020- Ben DiNucci- round 7

That’s it. Five QBs drafted in 24 drafts. We’ve drafted 1 QB in the last 8 drafts and that was 7th rounder Ben DiNucci. That’s just crazy.

Looking at the teams in the 21st century with the most success, they draft QBs often. Even if they already have a HOF QB in place. Look at the number of QBs these teams have drafted since 2000:

• Patriots: 13 (they drafted 12 after getting the GOAT Tom Brady!)
• Niners: 11 (They drafted Brock Purdy the year after drafting Trey Lance in round 1)
• Broncos: 11
• Ravens: 10 (they drafted Lamar Jackson when they already had SB MVP Joe Flacco)
• Eagles: 10
• Packers: 8 (they drafted Aaron Rodgers with the 24th pick 3 yrs before Favre left and drafted Jordan Love with the 26th pick when they had Rodgers!)
• Chiefs: 7 (they moved up in the draft to get Mahomes in 2017 when they already had Alex Smith who had just taken them to the playoffs)

Every single one of those teams have won multiple conference championships and either won or played in multiple SBs since 2000. The Cowboys have drafted 5 QBs in the same time frame and have zero conference championship appearances. That’s not a coincidence. For whatever reason, Jerry has acted like “we’re set at QB“ without any interest in finding a diamond in the rough as so many other teams have.

It’s pretty clear that the better teams the last two decades know how important it is to draft a QB. Even if you already have a QB you like. There’s a fundamental truth at play here: You can’t find a diamond in the rough at QB if you don’t even try.

Seems like we like to find one that isn't highly rated and make him into something that's highly rated! Once we find one we don't want to get another decent one to avoid a QB controversy!

 

[Mac_MaloneV1]

Every team does. But again, you can’t catch a fish if you never put a hook in the water.

Sure. But it's not reflective of some great drafting strategy and most of those players had no utility. The Patriots in particular are particularly bad drafters.