Michael Penix vs. Bo Nix: Who Should the Cowboys Draft as a Dak Prescott Successor?
The Dallas Cowboys should think about adding a potential successor to Dak Prescott and there are some great options in the draft.
The Dallas Cowboys are heading into a pressure-filled 2024 season with both Mike McCarthy and Dak Prescott on the hot seat.
The Cowboys have won 12 games in three straight seasons but have failed to move past the Divisional Round.
Prescott also heads into 2024 on the last year of his four-year, $160 million deal but the two sides haven't discussed a new contract.
The #Cowboys and QB Dak Prescott have a mutual understanding of his contract situation, sources say, with no offers from Dallas despite him being in a contract year. Owner Jerry Jones said, “We are where we are, locked and loaded for this year.”
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 26, 2024
No indication a deal is coming. pic.twitter.com/JtW5lqHzSG
With nothing locked in for the future, the Cowboys should think about adding a new signal caller to the room. Two names they should hone in on are Michael Penix Jr. and Bo Nix.
Dallas sits at No. 24 overall and both will likely be on the board at that point. And if they're set on replacing Tyron Smith with someone like Amarius Mims at No. 24, it shouldn't cost too much to trade up from No. 56 for an earlier second-round pick to target a quarterback.
The Case for Penix
Michael Penix Jr. out of Washington was one of the most accurate passers in the nation. Penix Jr. excels at playing in rhythm. He can drive the ball to all three levels on the field and has a fearless mentality.
There are injury concerns though. He did suffer two torn ACLs and two shoulder injuries during his time at Indiana before transferring to Washington.
Over the last two seasons, he's thrown for 9,544 passing yards with 67 passing scores and 19 interceptions. Pro Football Focus also gave him the No. 7 passing grade in the nation (min. 100 dropbacks), and nobody made more of what they grade as "Big Time Throws" than Penix' 43.
The Case for Nix
Nix played five years of college football at both Auburn and Oregon University. He has plenty of experience and reps which is something that will help at the next level.
The Alabama native owns a powerful throwing arm with a lightning quick release. He's comfortable throwing from different arm angles and has the athleticism to pick up yards with his legs.
In his college career, Nix had 15,352 passing yards with 113 passing touchdowns and 26 interceptions. Last season, he also broke the FBS single-season record for completion percentage (77.4%).
PFF didn't have Nix making as many explosive plays as Penix, but they did grade him out with the NCAA's top passing grade.
If I were to choose between the two, I would roll with Penix Jr. He's the better signal-caller and has a terrific floor but owns a high ceiling. When playing at the NFL level, you need pin-point accuracy and Penix Jr. has that.
Dallas should really think about adding a quarterback in the NFL Draft with Prescott's future in flux.
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