The Dallas Cowboys and Dak Prescott seem to be heading for the quarterback playing out the final year of his contract this season, which could mean replacing the 30-year-old could become a top priority next offseason.
If Prescott walks at the end of next season, Jerry Jones and the Cowboys could be big players in the veteran quarterback market, or prioritize emerging from the 2025 NFL Draft with one of the top prospects at the position.
CBS Sports NFL analyst Chris Trapasso envisions the latter scenario playing out, projecting the Cowboys will choose University of Houston quarterback Donovan Smith with the No. 25 overall pick in his latest 2025 mock draft projection.
“There’s always one surprise quarterback who catapults himself into the Round 1 discussion,” Trapasso writes. “Smith is my pick right now. At 6-foot-5 and listed at 240 pounds, he looks the part. Plus, he has mobility and a reasonable arm.”
In Trapasso’s scenario, Smith is the fourth quarterback chosen and would represent the Cowboys undertaking a full-fledged refresh at quarterback.
Smith began his collegiate career at Texas Tech before transferring to Houston before the 2023 campaign.
Through his first three seasons as a starting quarterback, Smith boasts a 64.4 completion percentage with 5,488 passing yards with 41 touchdowns to 23 interceptions with a 137 passer rating.
However, Smith missed the Cougars’ spring practices after undergoing surgery to repair a labrum injury in his right shoulder.
This fall, Smith will aim to boost his draft stock and has the chance to build on a 2023 season in which he passed for a career-high 2,801 yards with 22 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.
