Cowboys' likeliest first-round quarterback candidate makes his case

The Dallas Cowboys are likely to extend quarterback Dak Prescott this offseason and stick with him for a few more years this very offseason. 

With the way his contract is set up and the reality of the quarterback market in the NFL, it's the best way to go forward after he had a second-team All-Pro and MVP-caliber season in 2023. 

Yet, at least a shadow of a doubt remains on whether or not they'll actually sign him to a new deal. The Cowboys seem to be running it back in every other way so it seems unlikely. However, as Dallas gets more and more desperate for a Super Bowl run, everything is on the table.

One thing is clear though: In an alternate world where the Cowboys don't extend Dak, they absolutely need to draft a quarterback in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft or at the latest, second round. Let's explore what that could look like. 

Could the Cowboys draft a quarterback early? 

If Prescott plays under a contract year, he'd be on a fast track to hit free agency in 2025 and with a no-trade, no-tag clause in his contract, Dallas wouldn't be able to stop him. So in this scenario, Dallas needs a succession plan. 

And let me tell you: It simply can't be "Trey Lance or bust" considering we've barely seen the former third overall pick play football since 2019. As a result, the Cowboys would need options if they go down this path.

Assuming they make such a controversial decision, the NFL Draft would be the way to go for Dallas. They'd need to take a page out of the Green Bay Packers' playbook and draft a quarterback at 24th overall to develop behind Prescott. 

Bo Nix makes his case to NFL teams

If Dallas does go down such a path, the likeliest first-round quarterback they could end up with is Oregon's Bo Nix. Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, and Jayden Daniels are all expected to be off the board well before the Cowboys get on the clock.

Nix, conversely, is expected to be around late in the first round. That could all change in April but his range is more likely to fit Dallas' plans if they're looking for a signal-caller. During his Senior Bowl press conference, Nix made a compelling case as to why he could be a smart pick for NFL teams: 

"I think it's important, you know, five offenses in five years, five different play callers," Nix told reporters when asked about his playing history in college, and going from Auburn to Oregon. "So I've been around the block, I've been able to learn from a lot of different people who've had a lot of different success."

Nix's experience working different styles of offense might attract NFL teams looking for somebody who can adapt quickly.

"I'm a football junkie and so I just enjoy learning different plays," Nix added. "I can name the same play different ways, but it was always fun to me and you know, (I'm a) fast learner and just adapting. I think in the future maybe one day when maybe if I get to coach someday in high school or something, I'll get to put all their offenses together." 

A to Z Sports' Bo Nix Scouting report

Here's a summary of our Nix scouting report from Rob Gregson: 

Nix is truly a tale of two careers, being rebuilt in the Pacific Northwest after a tumultuous career at Auburn in the SEC.

His obvious physical talent, build and running ability make him an enticing candidate for modern offenses that look to utilize the QB run game and designed PA shots.

Teams will have concerns about the amount of time it took before things clicked for Nix as well as his lack of processing, but he checks the box as a high-character competitor that teams covet.