Why Cowboys - Despite Dak - Could Draft First-Round QB

What if the Dallas Cowboys selected a quarterback in the first round of the upcoming NFL Draft?

FRISCO - In theory, it would ruffle feathers for a year ... but potentially set up the franchise for years after that.

What if the Dallas Cowboys selected a quarterback in the first round of the upcoming NFL Draft?

Using conventional wisdom, the Cowboys would not do that. Rather, they would sign Dak Prescott to a long-term contract before the draft - in fact, they'd do it far in advance of that, because such a contract, properly-drawn, would provide cap room to go free-agency shopping in March - and then they'd use their No. 10 overall pick to add to the Dak-led roster.

READ MORE: Cowboys Contracts: Solving Dallas' Dak Dilemma

But ... "conventional'' isn't exactly the right word to describe the two-year negotiating stalemate that's existed between Prescott and the Cowboys. There is therefore a realistic scenario in which Dallas sees a contractual present with Dak (on a one-year, $37.7 million tag) but no future.

And in that scenario, selecting a quarterback in the first round suddenly becomes viable.

We can't name names yet. We can say that not only is it possible that BYU's Zach Wilson or Ohio State's Justin Fields or North Dakota State's Trey Lance is available at 10, but additionally, Dallas could move up from 10 to pursue its "next franchise QB.''

Assume Trevor Lawrence at No. 1 to Jacksonville, but after that? Trade No. 10 and a future first-rounder to move up?

Would this signal the Cowboys' intentions to move on from Prescott after the 2021 season? Indeed. And what about those "ruffled feathers'' with lame-duck Dak manning the position for one year while his heir looks over his shoulder?

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Well, there is an unconventional solution to that, too. After Prescott has signed his tag contract, and after Dallas has drafted its next QB, the Cowboys could trade Dak, thus ending the ruffled feathers, freeing itself from the $37.7 million commitment, recouping its just-dealt future first-rounder (and more), and handing the keys to "the next franchise QB'' one year early, while he's a rookie.

Oops. Wait. If the Cowboys try to trade Dak, and he doesn't agree to sign a new deal with his proposed team, it won't want him. He'll have a de facto no-trade clause. So, it's possible. But difficult.

Additionally, it's all "unconventional.'' But until there is a positive break in negotiations, drafting "the next franchise QB'' needs to be a consideration ... that most involved hope doesn't have to happen.