The Dallas Cowboys could have done a lot better to fill their holes in free agency. While they were more busy compared to previous years, they improved their depth more than added plug-and-play starters.
Will McClay and Jerry Jones have a lot of needs to address in Thursday's NFL Draft, but backup quarterback is no longer one of them after they traded for Joe Milton.
Former Eagles running back LeSean McCoy predictably argued on FS1 that Milton could threaten Dak Prescott's status as QB1. That is on the Mount Rushmore of McCoy's worst takes, which says a lot.
Getting back to planet Earth, Milton gives the Cowboys a captivating project QB who could develop into a high-end backup if the coaching staff is able to harness his undeniable talent. It will be interesting to see how he looks in preseason after just a few months under Brian Schottenheimer.
Prescott himself was asked about the trade at the Children's Cancer Fund Gala in Dallas and he delivered the most Prescott answer imaginable.
Cowboys' QB Dak Prescott addresses the trade for Joe Milton
“Anybody that’s played with me or been in that quarterback room knows that all I care about is everybody pushing everybody and getting better,” Prescott told reporters, via NESN. “I’ve already worked with Will (Grier) for years, know his mindset. I’m excited to add Joe to the room and I know Will is as well.”
Prescott is as good as any player in the NFL, let alone quarterback, behind the mic. He knows when to give the media exactly what it wants to hear, but it's his mindset that sticks out above the rest.
The 31-year-old is going to welcome Milton into the QB room with open arms. He did the same with Trey Lance. Cowboys fans would have hoped Lance improved more while learning under Prescott, but it is clear at this point that Lance isn't very good. The front office whiffed badly on that trade.
Milton, though, has much more upside and raw talent. He has a bigger arm - one of the strongest in the league already - and has the confidence to throw outside the numbers. The former Tennessee star is also more athletic than Lance as far as his ability to create throwing lanes with his legs and scramble on broken plays. He can even contribute to the RPO run game.
Again, the success of this trade hinges on Milton improving the fundamentals of his game, like footwork, processing and ball placement with touch.
We know Prescott will push Milton to be the best version of himself. That was always going to be Dak's reaction to the trade. If he wasn't fazed by Dallas trading for a former No. 3 overall pick in Lance, he certainly isn't going to be rattled by a second-year sixth-round pick joining the fold.
