Watkins: Is drafting a quarterback still an option?

[WoodysGirl]

Apr 9
1:00
PM CT
By Calvin Watkins | ESPNDallas.com

The Dallas Cowboys signed Tony Romo to a seven-year contract extension worth $119.5 million, giving the team security at the position for the next four to five years.

The Cowboys don't have an immediate need for a quarterback, but Romo will be 33 in Week 1 and backup Kyle Orton (30) is signed only through 2014.

The quarterback class is considered weak this year, but there are some intriguing names projected to go in the second and third rounds. Ryan Nassib, EJ Manuel, Tyler Wilson, Mike Glennon, Landry Jones and Tyler Bray are all projected to go in the middle rounds.

The perception is the Cowboys don't need a quarterback because they locked up Romo and have other areas of need (offensive and defensive line, safety and running back). But there's nothing wrong with adding to the position with young talent. Stephen McGee was a fourth-round pick in 2009 who was groomed to be a No. 2, but he never developed.

Read the rest: http://espn.go.com/blog/dallas/cowb...a-quarterback-still-an-option-for-the-cowboys

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

Just as a reminder.

There was talk that the Cowboys were very interested in Andy Dalton coming out and talk that if he was there in the second round they were seriously thinking of taking him. Now that is what was floating around at the time and who knows if it was true although I do trust that it was from the people I heard it from.

I say that because I think it shows that Garrett does see the value of grooming a QB if there is one there he likes.

 

[Dmoore Esq]

Drafting a QB should always be an option. If you hit, you either have a new franchise QB to take over for Romo eventually or a big trade chip.

 

[Manster54]

Not this year, but maybe next.

 

[xwalker]

Drafting a QB should always be an option. If you hit, you either have a new franchise QB to take over for Romo eventually or a big trade chip.

The "trade chip" scenario is overrated.

How much value is there in drafting a QB in the 3rd, having him take a roster spot and salary cap space for 3 years and then trading him for a 2nd round pick.

In trades, picks from next year are generally considered to be worth 1 round lower than a current years draft pick (i.e. The 1st pick of the 2nd round in 2014 is equal to the 1st pick in the 3rd round in 2013).

You would break even in trade value if you receive a 2nd round pick in 3 years for a QB drafted in the 5th round this year. That does not even account for the player taking a roster spot for all of that time.

 

[Fredd]

I believe in taking a QB almost every year - the ol' "throw it against the wall and see if it sticks" routine...I wouldn't want one before the 5th round, though since we do have 1st and 2nd string already...2014 draft? perhaps grab one a little earlier

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

QB is too important a position in the NFL. Teams are willing to pay almost anything for a QB. Look at Romo. If we were to trade him, we would get some value for him, in comparison to what we put into him to develop him. However, clearly we would not do that because we had the chance to do that and we didn't. The value proposition for QBs is to pronounced in the NFL. I think you take QBs every 3 years or so and you try to develop them. The cost vs reward is to hard to overlook and if you should be a franchise who is in no position to draft close enough to the top, then you can't overstate the importance of being able to develop a QB taken lower in the draft or signed and developed as an UFA.

 

[9darter]

The "trade chip" scenario is overrated.

How much value is there in drafting a QB in the 3rd, having him take a roster spot and salary cap space for 3 years and then trading him for a 2nd round pick.

In trades, picks from next year are generally considered to be worth 1 round lower than a current years draft pick (i.e. The 1st pick of the 2nd round in 2014 is equal to the 1st pick in the 3rd round in 2013).

You would break even in trade value if you receive a 2nd round pick in 3 years for a QB drafted in the 5th round this year. That does not even account for the player taking a roster spot for all of that time.

It's a waste of resources in most cases.

 

[Machete]

weren't we high on Kirkpatrick as well? He was in JG's radar, but the 49ers got to him before we did, I believe.

 

[Verdict]

The "trade chip" scenario is overrated.

How much value is there in drafting a QB in the 3rd, having him take a roster spot and salary cap space for 3 years and then trading him for a 2nd round pick.

In trades, picks from next year are generally considered to be worth 1 round lower than a current years draft pick (i.e. The 1st pick of the 2nd round in 2014 is equal to the 1st pick in the 3rd round in 2013).

You would break even in trade value if you receive a 2nd round pick in 3 years for a QB drafted in the 5th round this year. That does not even account for the player taking a roster spot for all of that time.

It doesn't make sense to draft a QB at all this year with Orton on the roster just to draft one. The only scenarios that this makes sense are:

1. The QB drafted is someone you see as being capable of being the next franchise QB here in a couple of years and succeed Romo
2. You think the QB you draft can play at a higher level than Orton in year 2 of his deal at a cheaper price, with upside.
3. The QB's you draft is rated so much higher on your board than any other player that BPA DICTATES you draft him.

That is pretty much the only scenario in which we take a guy this year.

With that being said, if a guy like say Landry Jones falls to us in the 3rd (who might have been a top 10 pick year before last) I could see us pulling the trigger on it.

Landry is way too much of a gamble in the first round, (and probably even for us in the second round) but by the third round the gamble is minimalized. I'm not sure he can ever be the face of this franchise but I do think he could supplant Orton by year two.

 

[Machete]

weren't we high on Kirkpatrick as well? He was in JG's radar, but the 49ers got to him before we did, I believe.

Sorry meant to say Kapernick.

 

[speedkilz88]

I believe in taking a QB almost every year - the ol' "throw it against the wall and see if it sticks" routine...I wouldn't want one before the 5th round, though since we do have 1st and 2nd string already...2014 draft? perhaps grab one a little earlier

How many recently have turned into franchise type qbs after the 5th? All I can think of is Tom Brady. Then there is one udfa in Tony Romo.

 

[IAmLegend]

NO. Stay away from QB's this year. Wait until next year to draft you know who..

 

[IAmLegend]

Or sign Peter Lalich as an UDFA if he isn't picked. That's the only option I'd even consider as a possible developmental QB.

 

[Vabeachboy]

NO. Stay away from QB's this year. Wait until next year to draft you know who..

Are you talking about Johnny Football?...just wondering lol