To QB Or Not QB, That Is The Question for the Dallas Cowboys

Dec 22, 2013; Landover, MD, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback

(9) watches from the bench against the Washington Redskins in the fourth quarter at FedEx Field. The Cowboys won 24-23. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Do the Dallas Cowboys go QB early in the draft or not? It really is the question. Since we are in the offseason and Jerry Jones hasn’t really done anything yet, I thought it would be a good time to bring up what many fans are talking about, if a first round QB falls to the Cowboys should they pick him.

First, many fans I have talked to think it is time to groom someone behind Tony Romo. No matter which side of the aisle you are on, Romo-Lovers or Romo-Haters, there is very little denying the Cowboys need a young QB on this roster. The separation comes on if it is time to move on from Tony and invest in a first round QB in the draft. I have heard everything from trades to get into the top 5, bundling picks, even drafting Manziel or some other QB if they drop to the Cowboys in the first round.

My personal opinion is, unless one of the top two drop, the Dallas Cowboys don’t even think QB until the 5th or 6th round at best. I could also see them trading out of their spot to pick up more picks. There are just too many needs on defense to warrant a rookie QB so early.

If we take a quick look at the draft before the Dallas Cowboys pick there are a lot of needs of QB. A quick mock would look like this I think in terms of QBs.

1. Houston – Bridgewater or Bortles (my guess would be Bridgewater)

2. St. Louis – Probably OL (although a trade with the Browns, Vikings, or Raiders trying to jump No. 3 Jacksonville)

3. Jacksonville – If Bortles or Bridgewater is there they take him, if not I would think Manziel

4. Cleveland – If they miss out they are in a huge need, they either go Carr or OT

5. Oakland – See Cleveland

6. Atlanta – Now, they don’t need a QB, so I would think they go OT or OLB

7. Tampa Bay – Do they keep Glennan? Who knows what Lovie does, if they do they go WR or OLB. I suspect they try to trade up, but at this point they have missed on the top 4 QBs or so. Does Petty enter the draft, or do they reach for Fales? So many questions.

8 Minnesota – Boy do they need a QB. They had better hope someone drops or they make a trade. If not they could reach for Fales or Smith.

9-16. No one here really needs a QB. Maybe Tennessee if they don’t think Locker is that guy.

Which brings us to the Dallas Cowboys at 17. I really don’t think any of the top flight guys have dropped this far. I also don’t think the Cowboys would give up draft picks to move up early in first round. Never mind the salary cap implications with a top pick. The smart bet here is they go safety or D-line.

So is there a solution here? Well, sure there is, but not many are going to like it. The Dallas Cowboys do have quite a few picks this year, and a few trade baits. I could see them somehow moving up the 4th or 5th round and getting Murray or Miller. I still don’t think this is the best move, but it could be something people could possible agree on, as long as they don’t give up picks and one of the few quality starters on this team.

The direction I think is more plausible is a 6th or later QB they can sit and groom (or try to groom) as long as they don’t lose him to another team snatching him off of the practice squad. So who is available so late that would even be worth looking at, well here are a few that might be worth that chance, in no particular order:

1. Miami, Stephen Morris.

He isn’t the tallest at 6’1” but he has great arm strength and accuracy. His problems are decision making and blitz recognition. A few years behind Romo could help that. Here is his HUGE day against NC State.

2. Ohio State, Kenny Guiton

. I think this would be a great pickup personally. He is 6’2”, but has amazing accuracy, can run pretty well, and has great decision making skills (he has held the clipboard behind Braxton Miller). His knock is he doesn’t have the best arm strength, but neither did Rodgers in college. Here is a little highlight reel of Guiton.

3. Pitt, Tom Savage.

Another guy I would be very happy to see get picked up. He is 6’4” 245 lbs. and can throw just about any pass you could ask. The knock on him has been not enough experience at the college level. Perfect type guy to sit and learn for a few years. Go look at what he did against Duke, here is some highlights of him this year.

4. TCU,  Casey Pachall.

This is a boom or bust type guy, great arm, reads defenses well, BUT, has had substance abuse in his past, he should be an UDFA. Here is a vid of him against Virginia last year.

5. SC, Connor Shaw.

This kid delivered in the Capital One Bowl. He can run and pass. His knock has been he hasn’t been a big passer in college. This year he really progressed in that area and a few years learning could turn him into a very good QB. Here are some of his highlights, but just go watch the Capital One Bowl if you missed it.

So, that is my take on whether the Cowboys should take a QB early. I would love to hear from you guys what you think. Do you still want an early QB (1-4 rounder), or would any of the suggested work well for you? Maybe someone I forgot to bring up would be a great fit.