Dak Prescott suddenly looks like a star in the making for the Dallas Cowboys, but their actions both during and after the NFL Draft indicate that he was never their first choice.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Cowboys attempted to trade up twice during the draft to take a quarterback other than Prescott, and tried to trade for two veteran backups to Tony Romo as late as August.
As was previously reported, the Cowboys tried to trade into the bottom of the first round with the intention of selecting Paxton Lynch. The Denver Broncos made the better offer and ultimately got the pick and the player.
Later, the Cowboys engaged the Cleveland Browns in trade talks for their fourth-round pick. They had their eyes on Michigan State quarterback Connor Cook, but Oakland swooped in with a better offer. Dallas ultimately took Prescott 35 picks later.
It’s worth remembering too that, after backup Kellen Moore got hurt, Dallas targeted veteran backups to Tony Romo. They failed in their pursuit, Romo got hurt, the Cowboys turned to Prescott, and the rest is history. It wasn’t exactly according to plan, but Jerry Jones is surely thrilled with things now.
