'Malpractice!' For Dallas Cowboys to Draft QB in First Round, Says ESPN Critic

ESPN's Robert Griffin III says that it would be organizational malpractice for the Dallas Cowboys to draft a quarterback in the first round.

Jan 14, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) walks off the field / Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Dak Prescott's tenure with the Dallas Cowboys is precarious at best. With no signs of a looming contract extension, the Cowboys are set to swallow his $55 million cap hit and make Dak play for a new contract in 2024 - and the added possibility of Prescott walking for nothing as a free agent in 2025.

Given how free agency has played out, Dallas isn't giving Prescott the best chance at making something of the upcoming year. Multiple roster holes and only a select few draft picks to fix them mean that it will be an uphill battle for the Cowboys to be as good as they were in 2023.

Given the question marks around Dak's future and the organization in no hurry to sign him to a new contract, the thought of drafting his successor in the upcoming draft is something that is gaining traction of late.

Our own Mike Fisher stated from a source inside the building that drafting a quarterback "isn't part of the plan," but plans can change.

ESPN's Robert Griffin III isn't a fan of Dallas drafting Prescott's replacement in the first round and overlooking the glaring roster holes.

"If the Dallas Cowboys draft a quarterback in the first round, I would say that's organizational malpractice,” Griffin said on ESPN’s GetUp. “Listen with Dak Prescott, you either want him or you don't want him. But what you can't do is say, hey, we're going to put you in this last year of your deal, you've got a huge cap number, we're not going to extend you. We're also not going to give you an offensive line to block for you, a starting running back or a third wide receiver. We're going to say go out their Dak and try to make it happen, good luck.”

Jan 14, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) walks off the field / Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Given the pressure and scrutiny that Dallas and Prescott is already under heading into the 2024 season after last year's playoff debacle, one can only imagine the media storm that would engulf the entire season if the Cowboys took a quarterback in the first round. The first sniff of trouble with Prescott and the media and fans alike would campaign for Dak to be benched in favor of the rookie.

That's nightmare fuel for the locker room.

With Trey Lance and Cooper Rush not signed for the 2025 season, there is a scenario where all three of the Cowboys' quarterbacks are free agents at the end of next year.

Griffin says the Cowboys drafting a quarterback in the first round is "organizational malpractice," and based on what we have seen this offseason, nothing is completely off the table...including drafting Dak's successor.