Dak Prescott Trade? What Could Dallas Cowboys Really Get In Return?

Dak Prescott Trade? What Could Dallas Cowboys Really Get In Return? A Study of Deshaun Watson, Russell Wilson and Matthew Stafford

FRISCO - The Dallas Cowboys and Dak Prescott are making "Blow It Up!'' noises about their lack of a long-term commitment to one another, and there is logic, at least, in this: If owner Jerry Jones' Cowboys aren't planning on signing the MVP QB to an extension in advance of Dak becoming a free agent in spring 2025 - at which point he can leave, netting Dallas nothing in return ...

Why not net something for him now? Why not trade Prescott now?

There are obvious obstacles here. Such a move would, for instance ... 1) likely ruin the 2024 season, 2) need to be approved by Dak due to his trade-veto clause, 3) likely require a team to add Prescott while also forging for him a new contract at maybe $60 million per year ... and that's just a sampling.

But for the sake of argument: Let's say Dallas finds a suitor. And Dak likes the idea. What does recent history say could be netted by the Cowboys? And does recent history apply to Prescott and his situation?

A most recent trio of lucrative blockbuster QB trades ...

2021 Matthew Stafford - The Lions received Jared Goff, a 2021 third-round pick, and first-round picks in 2022 and 2023. The Rams received Stafford. .. so the meat of the deal was the Lions getting a starting QB and two 1's.

2022 Deshaun Watson - Cleveland sent Houston six draft picks - a first and fourth in 2022, a first and third in 2023 and a first and fourth in 2024 - for Watson and a 2024 sixth-round pick. … so the meat was the Texans getting three 1's.

2022 Russell Wilson - The Seahawks traded Wilson and a 2022 fourth-round draft pick to the Broncos for a 2022 first-round pick, a 2022 second-round pick, a 2022 fifth-round pick, a 2023 first-round pick, a 2023 second-round pick and three players:, including quarterback Drew Lock. … so the meat was two 1's, two 2's and a QB prospect.

Also worth mentioning is that Stafford eventually got $130 million guaranteed, Wilson $161 million guaranteed and Watson $230 million guaranteed.

A cautionary note for the potential bidder (and maybe for the grass-is-greener player, too, if "Dak Wants Out''): All of it worked out for the Rams. Not so much for the Browns (yet) or the Broncos. The sellers? The Lions, Texans and Seahawks all seem in fine shape after having said goodbye. So, we can suggest that maybe Dallas post-Dak would be in good shape, roster-wise ...

But ... in the case of Dak, and in the present climate, is there a match? A team that wants him, wants to pay him $60 million APY, and wants to give up two first-round picks, or three first-round picks? We discuss all of this in the Fish Report as we check in from inside The Star ... and invite you to join us!

Enjoy!