Jerry Jones said last week that the Dallas Cowboys would consider using their No. 4 overall draft pick on a quarterback, even though the team already has a franchise player at the helm in Tony Romo. The thinking is that at 36 in April, Romo is getting older and coming off broken collarbones, so the team needs to start grooming his eventual backup. Romo understands the position the team is in and does not mind their plans.
“We’re going to evaluate everybody and the organization is going to look at who to take and they’re going to take the best player,” Romo said of the Cowboys’ draft plans via ESPN’s Todd Archer. “If the best player there is a quarterback, then that’s what our team needs. Our team needs good players. That’s what we need. And if it’s the best player at a different position … I’m just obviously a player on the football team and I don’t have to make those decisions, and I’m glad.
“My job is go out and get better and make sure this team wins next year. And I’m going to do everything in my power to ensure that.”
Romo’s broken collarbone and re-breaking of the same collarbone led to the team playing a band of incapable backups like Brandon Weeden, Matt Cassel and Kellen Moore, who combined to go 1-11 in Romo’s absence. The team finished 4-12 overall, leading to the high draft spot. Players like Jared Goff and Paxton Lynch are expected to be among the top prospects at the quarterback position. Will the Cowboys actually use a No. 4 pick on one of them? I have already explained why I feel that is unlikely, but they will probably take one in a high round, which means Romo should prepare to have some company in camp. The Cowboys have not drafted a quarterback since taking Stephen McGee in the fourth round in 2009.
