Cowboys Roundtable: Would you Trade Dak For 3 First-Rounders?

Hypothetical: Would you rather have Dak Prescott or three first-round draft picks?

FRISCO - I thought Groundhog Day already passed? Why am I having deja vu ...

For the third straight year, Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys' contract negotiations are a major storyline in the NFL offseason. The franchise tag window is open from February 23 - March 9 and dealing with Dak is "priority one" for Dallas. 

The plan for the Cowboys is to negotiate a long-term dea l... or fall back with yet another franchise tag, this time worth $37.7 million. 

If he is to be tagged again, Prescott would join Kirk Cousins as the only other quarterback to be placed on the franchise tag in two consecutive seasons.

One thing we know: the NFL can be unpredictable and the quarterback carousel is in full swing. So let's play a parlor games ...

Our CowboysSI.com staff debates the following: Would you rather have Dak Prescott or three first-round draft picks? How many first-round picks would you trade for Prescott? 

'When You Have Nothing' -Mike Fisher

You can have a generous owner, a brilliant coach and a deep roster. But if you don't have a QB ...

You ain't got nothin'.

Very specific to the question: The "three first-round picks'' is too vague for me to say "yes'' to. Tell me that it's the Jets making the offer, which nets me the No. 2 overall pick in this NFL Draft? Now - assuming my scouting department believes that BYU's Zach Wilson or Ohio State's Justin Fields or whomever, is a future Pro Bowl, franchise QB - I'll deal.

The QB Carousel is allowing movement at the position like never before. I'm open to being a "mover.'' But to deal Dak? I'd also need to be a "destination'' - a "movee,'' if you will.

All the picks in the world won't help me enough if my team can't compete near a Rodgers/Mahomes/Brady/Watson/Wilson/Allen level.

NO, except if... -Matt Galatzan

In my opinion, trading Dak Prescott for any sort of draft compensation is too much of a risk — unless the relationship becomes broken without repair.

The fact is, finding a franchise caliber quarterback is one of, If not the single most difficult thing to do, roster-building-wise, in professional sports. They do not grow on trees. Once you have one, keeping him in place is the organization's top personnel priority.

Unless Prescott decides to eventually leave, which was the case with other former franchise-tag QBs Drew Brees and Kirk Cousins, there isn’t a realistic amount of draft picks that any franchise could surrender that could justify a trade.

The only way I would consider it, is if we’re going to swap with another franchise-caliber QB, such as Deshaun Watson or Russell Wilson.

On the other hand, if the Cowboys franchise him, and Prescott makes it known that he will not re-sign with the franchise later on down the line, it becomes imperative that you do trade him, and attempt to get some sort of compensation before his exit.

Either way, both the Cowboys and Prescott have put themselves in a very difficult spot. 

Taking Prescott -Bri Amaranthus

Coming off a disappointing 6-10 season, there is a lot of pressure on Dallas to make moves. There is no doubting the obvious urgency for the Cowboys to fill needs at offensive line (get healthy!) and the secondary, which would be greatly benefited with more first-round draft selections. 

With the state of the NFL quarterbacks in win-now mode thanks to the Tom Brady Effect, the need for a Pro Bowl quarterback like Dak Prescott has never been higher. The 27-year-old has already shattered Cowboys records and is capable of leading Dallas into the playoffs. Prescott's value was highlighted by his absence this past season and his season-ending ankle injury will only stoke the fire for his comeback this season. In order for this bad team to get better, they'd be smart to commit to a quarterback who would, if free, be in high demand. 

As far as Prescott's trade market value, if Houston quarterback Deshaun Watson's compensation will equal at least three first-round picks and likely a second or third ... I say Prescott would be comparable or maybe more. 

This is a joke, right? -Richie Whitt

 I mean, the sub-zero temps and blanket of white are altering someone's cognitive skills because this is a joke. Right?

Much as I admire Dak Prescott, he is merely a Top-10 quarterback that fixes an offense. I say merely because - given a savvy general manager - three first-round draft picks fixes an entire team.

Happy thawing.

An Offer Dallas Can't Refuse - Cole Thompson

This would all be based on the team that's trading for Prescott. The Cowboys need a defensive overhaul after finishing 31st in run defense. Dallas' priority should be fixing both the secondary and the edge -- primarily both on the perimeter at the respective position.

If Dallas trades Prescott though, they'll need to find a helper at quarterback. Yes, Andy Dalton is serviceable, but how lt long can he last as the starter? Also, is Trey Lance a better fit for Mike McCarthy and Kellen Moore? What about Justin Fields? Mac Jones?

Dallas would need to bank on the 10th pick to be a quarterback that can replace Prescott's production. And sure, he'll be affordable, but is the production going to match? Prescott was one pace to lead the NFL in passing when he suffered the ankle injury. Will a new gunslinger be the right fit?

Right now, it feels like three first-rounders would suffice should the Cowboys be willing to trade Prescott. If they feel like they can't survive without him, make it four. Prescott's not the biggest problem in Dallas -- in fact, he's one of the better solutions. Dallas must decide if they're actually gong to contend in the near future.

If the rebuild is on, for a massive overhaul like four first-rounders might be an offer they Dallas can't refuse. 

[READ: What Eagles' Trade Of QB Wentz Means To Cowboys]

[READ: Cowboys Compromise: Why Would Dak Take Just $32.5 Million?

Check back in here at CowboysSI.com for to stay up to date on if Prescott and the Cowboys are moving backward or forward.