Trading For the 1 Overall Pick to Get the QB: Would You Do It?

[blueblood70]

If I had a top 5 pick next season I don’t even think I take a QB even if Dak leaves.

I agree but if we are there that would be the way to just take the quarterback that fell to you but there's no way in hell I'm trading up to get a quarterback in the next two drafts... You'd be better off getting you a offensive lineman of war daddy linebacker or pass rusher or corner or something at 5:00 and then get one of these quarterbacks where they're supposed to be taken after the second round you know like we landed Prescott in the fourth round and he's a better prospect than any of those dudes are... Yeah the Dallas Cowboys fan base is lost and they picking a bad time to be suggesting this because they think Prescott's leaving but what they should be doing is praying the Cowboys sign Prescott because he's better than just most any of the free agents coming up that you don't want to give up draft picks for better than most of the mid level quarterbacks that are available even some with big names like on that stupid list from this morning given this information Prescott is the answer here whether people like it or not...

But you might as well roll with Trey Lance and can pick you up a couple other guys to compete with him in later rounds or mid level guys and yes you use a fifth pick overall on a impact day one guy that way you help your quarterback but they sure better be thinking about building up the wall of China and then putting the best running back they could pick next year behind him because the way is right right now with the last time we had a great run game in the second round of the playoffs or even in any of the big games in the playoffs we can't afford to have some scrub at quarterback because our team's not good enough right now....

 

[KJJ]

Let me clear up one of my posts. The Panthers traded up to number one overall with Chicago in March 2023. The Bears had Justin Fields and didn’t see a QB they really liked and weren’t ready to give up on Fields. There was a debate as to who the best QB was. It was mostly between Bryce Young and CJ Stroud. Some liked Anthony Richardson better than both. The jury is still out on whether that trade will work out for Chicago because they could have drafted CJ Stroud, who was terrific as a rookie. He could end up being one of the all-time greats, only time will tell. There’s no assurances that Caleb Williams will be better than Stroud.

 

[conner01]

We won't have to do that. They will either extend Dak, in which case the bed is made for the next 3-4 years, or they will let him walk without much of a fight because we were terrible. In that case we are much higher in the draft order.

I don’t see us being terrible enough to get a pick in the top half and moving from 15 or so to 1 is extremely expensive in terms of picks

 

[Chuck 54]

I honestly believe if this team had Pat Mahomes last year, it could not have won a SB. That roster last year, though good at several positions, was still sorely lacking on defense at DT and LB. Neither Joe Montana, Tom Brady, nor Pat Mahomes could rescue this team by themselves.

I don’t disagree Bob. Mahomes would have thrived with our weapons, but he’s not used to having no run game and sitting around watching teams run the ball down his defense’s throats.

I really hate the way our team is run. We haven’t been a tough defense that can stop the run and push the pocket in so so long. The focus has been on Dak for so long, but what I fear most is maybe we finally pay attention to the front 7 and start developing a complete defense; maybe by next year we will have a line and RB that can run the ball to balance the offense. But I fear we finally start fixing the things that help you in the tough games nd playoffs, only to find ourselves without a competent QB again. It’s like the front office never puts it all together at the same time.

 

[805BoysInBlue]

He was the fifth highest rated QB to ever enter the NFL draft and hasn’t come close to living up to it. If he would’ve been a third or fourth round pick no way does Jacksonville sign him to that contract. In three seasons he’s10 games under 500 and his career numbers are average. His numbers last season regressed over the previous season. He hasn’t been that good. I wouldn’t want him. Jacksonville is banking he’ll get better and develop into a great QB. He’s shown flashes, but the consistency hasn’t been there.

That's what I'm saying. Is it worth to risk it all for the possibility of the unknown or build on what is known?

 

[plasticman]

You do realize you would have to absolutely suck this year because there's no way we can afford to give that many draft picks to move up from like in the 20s to number one...


I mean look at how many draft picks San Francisco gave up three to move up to what 5th to get Trey Lance ,

no I wouldn't do it ,

unless we were really bad and already say around 10 this year... From what I hear the next two years there aren't very many good quarterbacks in the draft..

so why would you pull a big move like that? Dude I've watched Quinn , I'm a Longhorn fan and I don't even think he should be starting over manning this year without actual competition. In my opinion unless he grows none of these quarterbacks are good but Quinn he don't look like a pro ready quarterback he don't even look as good as Colt McCoy I think it's a travesty at Texas not letting manning really compete for the job this year and just handing it to Quinn I don't care what they did as a team last year I watch him play he just does not scream pro.

I mean this year will have to play out in college but from what I saw last year what might be coming down the Pike looked like a bunch of fourth round draft picks good luck with trading your future in the worst possible time to try to find a quarterback would be the next two drafts... I mean that is just my opinion I'm an amateurish guy I'm looking at these guys but I'm telling you right now this is not the time to do that you better hope they sign Prescott because this is becoming more and more annoying every day watching more and more posts about how we can replace Prescott and without wasting draft picks for some aged out old guys who are not any better than Prescott and then paying them a pretty hefty price or reaching in a draft when is not the type of draft you would reach in...

I didn't say I would do it for sure.

At this point, no prospect is worth it right now. However, there is a full season of college football still to play and it's not impossible for one of these guys to really separate and have an elite season.

I would only do it if the guy was the next potential John Elway or Troy Aikman or Peyton Manning. He would have to be the prototypical NFL quarterback with the size, speed, arm strength, accuracy, leadership, etc.

It wouldn't be like 2023 where the top drafted QB's all had one issue or another.

If there was no worthy QB for the #1 overall pick then this is what I would do:

I would let Dak play out his contract in 2024. I would extend Trey Lance and move up as far as I could in the 2025 draft without giving up any more 1st round picks except the one that season. I night give up the 3rd also and next season's #2 pick if there was someone I really liked in the top 3rd of the 1st round.

I would allow Trey to compete with this rookie 1st round pick. Once I determined the best option for the Cowboys future, I would trade the other.

There is a couple of concepts at play. Competition brings out the best and never put all your eggs in one basket.

History tells us that the higher you move up in the daft, the more likely you will find that SB quarterback.....unless you found a way to clone Tom brady.

 

[KJJ]

That's what I'm saying. Is it worth to risk it all for the possibility of the unknown or build on what is known?

It’s definitely not worth the risk. The bust rate on top QBs is simply too high. Some of the QBs that turned out to be the best weren’t expected to be as good. Mahomes is a perfect example.

 

[GINeric]

Yeah, I get it. You're right, drafting a QB with the #1 overall pick does not guarantee a Super Bowl.

But it sure does increase the odds:

Out of 58 Super Bowls, the winning quarterback was a 1st round pick 32 times or 52% of the time. They were the #1 overall pick 18 of those times. They were a top ten pick 27 times.

Eleven quarterbacks have won multiple Super Bowls. Six of them were drafted #1 overall

Of course, this is a step to be taken only if he is a consensus blue chip with the proper physical traits and college resume. It could be that none of them impress enough to make the trade.

Great post! But I'll guarantee 90%of those Superbowl winning quarterbacks you've mentioned had a few things in common....

1. Their teams were solid in the trenches on both sides of the ball.

2. They had solid running games.

3. They had very good offensive coordinators.

 

[5Stars]

There doesn't seem to be a clear choice for the best QB prospect in next year's draft. There is no Elway or Aikman, or Manning. There is no "generational savior". The pro football analysts draft gurus seem split between three college players.

I know who the favorite is among most fans here. Of course, this will clear up at the end of next season.

My question is, could three 1st round picks and a 2nd round pick secure next year's #1 pick overall? If it could, would you be willing to make that trade?

Would you be willing to trade the Cowboys #1 picks for 2025, 2026, and 2027 plus the 2nd pick in 2025 for the 1st pick overall in the 2025 draft?

For the most part, the Cowboys do pretty good in the 1st round, 2023 draft notwithstanding. In fact, they may do too good. They are presently considering close to the max contract for two of the most recent to stay with the team.

If the Cowboys make the trade and get a QB, the Cowboys could set their future as well as alleviate some cap issues. They could sign both Lamb and Parsons with no problem. As for the #1 overall pick, it's the highest rookie contract but still a rookie contract It is still far, far lower than the alternative Dak contract.

Dak would play out his contract this season, Trey would be traded at some advantageous point. Rush may or may not stay, depending. He may even start a few games in 2025 before the #1 pick becomes the official starter. Realistically, the Cowboys could take some lumps that season.

The Cowboys wouldn't have a 1st round picks for two years but wouldn't that cash help contract negotiations for guys like Daron Bland, Tyler Smith, and Jake Ferguson?

The obvious question would be whether there is a worthy prospect once the dust settles from the 2024 college season. We know there are seasons when the #1 overall pick isn't even a quarterback. Since 2000 this has happened on an average of every four years, so it is possible. It's also possible that one of these quarterbacks separates himself from the rest and is a clear cut #1.

So....

Would you give up three #1's and a #2 for Shedeur Sanders?

How about Carson Beck from Georgia or Quinn Ewers from Texas?

Sure, why not...those are my thoughts on this crazy question.

 

[diamonddelts]

What has he done??????

He came out of the womb with last name Manning.

 

[Bobhaze]

PM, as always a well thought out post.

My response will be two fold: 1. What I would do. 2. What the Jones boys will do.
If I was in charge and I believed it was time to rebuild, I would have done these things months ago at beginning of off-season:

• Make 2024 a “clearing the decks” for the future season. Meaning take your lumps for a better draft position in 2025. Make this season an official rebuild.
• I don’t believe Big Mac is good for a rebuild, so I would have fired him in Feb and hired a new young HC that has 4 years with full authority to completely rebuild this team.
• Either sign Cedee Lamb or trade him. Waiting is stupid. Make a decision by Mar 1.
• Try to sign Parsons NOW at a cheaper price than he’s going to cost in the future. He’s only going to get more and more expensive.
• If finding a new franchise QB is the goal, I would not be wasting a season. I would go to Dak in Feb/Mar with his agent and see what kind of trade they would agree to. I don’t care what anyone says, if Dak knows he’s not in the plans of the Cowboys future, he WILL agree to be traded. Despite what many on this forum believe, Dak would be in demand for several teams. And being on the last year of his deal could be a plus because a new team could negotiate a future new deal on their terms. Acquiring him for several draft picks would be a must.
• See what you could get for Zack Martin. Even at his late career stage you could probably find a team willing to give up a Day 2 pick for him.
• Play a ton of young guys knowing you're rebuilding. Let either Cooper Rush or Trey Lance play QB this season knowing you aren’t really competing for a championship anyway.
• Use the picks from trades to package moving up for a QB in next years draft.

The problem with the plan I have above is it’s too late to do all that now. If I was stuck with what the Jones boys have already done this off-season, I would not be able to do the above.

What the Jones boys will do:

• Drag their feet, then sign Dak sometime in the next 3-12 months to a 3-4 year deal for market price- somewhere between $55-65 mil per season. It would have been cheaper to extend him earlier but that’s not the way these guys roll.
• Complain they don’t have cap space. (Which is a complete lie because if they handled their contracts the way most good GMs do, they could defer cap space and have WAY more flexibility to do more. They choose not to do this then hornswaggle fans into buying into “we don’t have cap space”)
• Repeat what they’ve been doing year after year, then blame the coaches and players for THEIR failures.

The Jones cartel basically wasted an entire off-season being coy about the future. Waiting and being indecisive in today’s NFL is losing. And I believe they will sign Dak, Cedee and Parsons eventually and pretend (as always) they are competing for a SB with this roster.

After rereading the OP’s question, would I trade up to get the #1 pick for a QB in next years draft? No. There’s not a single QB I see that would be worth that. Drafting a QB at the top of your Draft is a high stakes roulette game. Besides, this FO neither knows how to do that nor are they willing to take a risk like that.

 

[cowboyec]

i would have to be convinced i'm getting troy aikman talent.
top qb prospect some say is carson beck,georgia....
i keep my picks and take jalen milroe,alabama(bottom of rd1) or riley leonard,notre dame (after rd1).

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

There doesn't seem to be a clear choice for the best QB prospect in next year's draft. There is no Elway or Aikman, or Manning. There is no "generational savior". The pro football analysts draft gurus seem split between three college players.

I know who the favorite is among most fans here. Of course, this will clear up at the end of next season.

My question is, could three 1st round picks and a 2nd round pick secure next year's #1 pick overall? If it could, would you be willing to make that trade?

Would you be willing to trade the Cowboys #1 picks for 2025, 2026, and 2027 plus the 2nd pick in 2025 for the 1st pick overall in the 2025 draft?

For the most part, the Cowboys do pretty good in the 1st round, 2023 draft notwithstanding. In fact, they may do too good. They are presently considering close to the max contract for two of the most recent to stay with the team.

If the Cowboys make the trade and get a QB, the Cowboys could set their future as well as alleviate some cap issues. They could sign both Lamb and Parsons with no problem. As for the #1 overall pick, it's the highest rookie contract but still a rookie contract It is still far, far lower than the alternative Dak contract.

Dak would play out his contract this season, Trey would be traded at some advantageous point. Rush may or may not stay, depending. He may even start a few games in 2025 before the #1 pick becomes the official starter. Realistically, the Cowboys could take some lumps that season.

The Cowboys wouldn't have a 1st round picks for two years but wouldn't that cash help contract negotiations for guys like Daron Bland, Tyler Smith, and Jake Ferguson?

The obvious question would be whether there is a worthy prospect once the dust settles from the 2024 college season. We know there are seasons when the #1 overall pick isn't even a quarterback. Since 2000 this has happened on an average of every four years, so it is possible. It's also possible that one of these quarterbacks separates himself from the rest and is a clear cut #1.

So....

Would you give up three #1's and a #2 for Shedeur Sanders?

How about Carson Beck from Georgia or Quinn Ewers from Texas?

if there is no sure fire elite type QBs, then no. because you are trading assets to get him and then can't provide the talent around him to succeed. Aikman was Elite and he couldn't lift the bad team around him and we went 1-15.

also, shouldn't we let the NCAA season playout before saying there are no elite QBs

 

[gtb1943]

I hate special about him?

he has done NOTHING

 

[Chasing6]

There doesn't seem to be a clear choice for the best QB prospect in next year's draft. There is no Elway or Aikman, or Manning. There is no "generational savior". The pro football analysts draft gurus seem split between three college players.

I know who the favorite is among most fans here. Of course, this will clear up at the end of next season.

My question is, could three 1st round picks and a 2nd round pick secure next year's #1 pick overall? If it could, would you be willing to make that trade?

Would you be willing to trade the Cowboys #1 picks for 2025, 2026, and 2027 plus the 2nd pick in 2025 for the 1st pick overall in the 2025 draft?

For the most part, the Cowboys do pretty good in the 1st round, 2023 draft notwithstanding. In fact, they may do too good. They are presently considering close to the max contract for two of the most recent to stay with the team.

If the Cowboys make the trade and get a QB, the Cowboys could set their future as well as alleviate some cap issues. They could sign both Lamb and Parsons with no problem. As for the #1 overall pick, it's the highest rookie contract but still a rookie contract It is still far, far lower than the alternative Dak contract.

Dak would play out his contract this season, Trey would be traded at some advantageous point. Rush may or may not stay, depending. He may even start a few games in 2025 before the #1 pick becomes the official starter. Realistically, the Cowboys could take some lumps that season.

The Cowboys wouldn't have a 1st round picks for two years but wouldn't that cash help contract negotiations for guys like Daron Bland, Tyler Smith, and Jake Ferguson?

The obvious question would be whether there is a worthy prospect once the dust settles from the 2024 college season. We know there are seasons when the #1 overall pick isn't even a quarterback. Since 2000 this has happened on an average of every four years, so it is possible. It's also possible that one of these quarterbacks separates himself from the rest and is a clear cut #1.

So....

Would you give up three #1's and a #2 for Shedeur Sanders?

How about Carson Beck from Georgia or Quinn Ewers from Texas?

Hell No.

 

[gtb1943]

NO WAY
Only a QB prospect like Elway or Luck would be worth even THINKING about that kind of trade
And there is NO ONE out there that is even close to that

 

[Chasing6]

There doesn't seem to be a clear choice for the best QB prospect in next year's draft. There is no Elway or Aikman, or Manning. There is no "generational savior". The pro football analysts draft gurus seem split between three college players.

I know who the favorite is among most fans here. Of course, this will clear up at the end of next season.

My question is, could three 1st round picks and a 2nd round pick secure next year's #1 pick overall? If it could, would you be willing to make that trade?

Would you be willing to trade the Cowboys #1 picks for 2025, 2026, and 2027 plus the 2nd pick in 2025 for the 1st pick overall in the 2025 draft?

For the most part, the Cowboys do pretty good in the 1st round, 2023 draft notwithstanding. In fact, they may do too good. They are presently considering close to the max contract for two of the most recent to stay with the team.

If the Cowboys make the trade and get a QB, the Cowboys could set their future as well as alleviate some cap issues. They could sign both Lamb and Parsons with no problem. As for the #1 overall pick, it's the highest rookie contract but still a rookie contract It is still far, far lower than the alternative Dak contract.

Dak would play out his contract this season, Trey would be traded at some advantageous point. Rush may or may not stay, depending. He may even start a few games in 2025 before the #1 pick becomes the official starter. Realistically, the Cowboys could take some lumps that season.

The Cowboys wouldn't have a 1st round picks for two years but wouldn't that cash help contract negotiations for guys like Daron Bland, Tyler Smith, and Jake Ferguson?

The obvious question would be whether there is a worthy prospect once the dust settles from the 2024 college season. We know there are seasons when the #1 overall pick isn't even a quarterback. Since 2000 this has happened on an average of every four years, so it is possible. It's also possible that one of these quarterbacks separates himself from the rest and is a clear cut #1.

So....

Would you give up three #1's and a #2 for Shedeur Sanders?

How about Carson Beck from Georgia or Quinn Ewers from Texas?

Only 8 first overall QB's have won the SB.

1. Davis Carr - back up QB with the Giants.
2. Bledsoe - back up QB with Patriots
3. Troy Aikman with original team Cowboys
4. Peyton Manning - original team Colts/Broncos
5. John Elway - not original team traded from Colts to the Broncos.
6. Jim Plunket - not original team Raiders
7. Terry Bradshaw - original team Steelers.
8. Eli Manning - not his original team traded to the Giants.

Only 3 first overall picks as QB have won a SB with their original team. Could argue 5 since, 2 never played for the team that drafted them.

2 as back up QB's
2 were traded after the draft
1 with another team

 

[gtb1943]

Only 8 first overall QB's have won the SB.

1. Davis Carr - back up QB with the Giants.
2. Bledsoe - back up QB with Patriots
3. Troy Aikman with original team Cowboys
4. Peyton Manning - original team Colts/Broncos
5. John Elway - not original team traded from Colts to the Broncos.
6. Jim Plunket - not original team Raiders
7. Terry Bradshaw - original team Steelers.
8. Eli Manning - not his original team traded to the Giants.

Only 3 first overall picks as QB have won a SB with their original team. Could argue 5 since, 2 never played for the team that drafted them.

2 as back up QB's
2 were traded after the draft
1 with another team

Interesting about Elway and Eli
so if you can trade for a #1 do it

 

[Chasing6]

Interesting about Elway and Eli
so if you can trade for a #1 do it

No I would not do it. If your team sucks a QB is not going to help you. If your teams is stacked like the Niners, you don't need a first round QB. See Purdy.

If this does not prove it is a team sport I don't know what will.

How did Troy do his first year? If he did not have Jimmy Johnson, the Herschel Walker trade and Jerry's check book, Troy could have been a bust.

I know people hate to hear that, but it is the truth.

 

[kskboys]

Let me clear up one of my posts. The Panthers traded up to number one overall with Chicago in March 2023. The Bears had Justin Fields and didn’t see a QB they really liked and weren’t ready to give up on Fields. There was a debate as to who the best QB was. It was mostly between Bryce Young and CJ Stroud. Some liked Anthony Richardson better than both. The jury is still out on whether that trade will work out for Chicago because they could have drafted CJ Stroud, who was terrific as a rookie. He could end up being one of the all-time greats, only time will tell. There’s no assurances that Caleb Williams will be better than Stroud.

And tons of assurances he won't.