Cowboys reportedly 'intrigued' by first-round QB prospect

If Dallas drafts Stroud, it's shocking because it might create a controversy with Dak Prescott and require a seismic draft-day trade.

Barring any draft-day fall, Stroud is outside of the Cowboys' range. Per Tankathon, Indianapolis will select Stroud with the fourth pick in the 2023 NFL Draft well before Dallas, who has the 27th pick.

However, per Calvin Watkins of The Dallas Morning News, Dallas owner Jerry Jones recently said, "the Cowboys are committed to drafting a QB." So a plan may be in place. 

Stroud is a talented prospect. In two seasons as the Buckeyes starter, he threw 85 passing TDs and was named a Heisman finalist twice. Also, he dazzled in the College Football Playoff Semifinal, throwing four TDs against Georgia's vaunted defense. 

Nonetheless, drafting a QB in the first round creates an awkward Prescott situation, making him feel like the organization plans to move on. 

Although Prescott tied for the league lead in interceptions (15), he posted a 91.1 passer rating and went 8-4 as a starter. 

Dallas could use a similar strategy to Green Bay when it drafted Aaron Rodgers and made him Brett Farve's understudy for two seasons. Yet Prescott is only 29, while Farve was 35 when the Packers selected Rodgers. 

Prescott is not an impending free agent, with four years remaining on his contract via Spotrac.

The Cowboys might draft a QB to see if competition stokes Prescott's competitive fire, potentially elevating his game and increasing Dallas' championship chances.

Regardless, keep tabs on the Cowboys QB situation since a storyline may be brewing.