Potential Dak Prescott Successor ‘Standing Out’ at Cowboys Minicamp

Considering he’s played in just one NFL game, there’s a ton of hype surrounding second-year quarterback Joe Milton.

This April, the Dallas Cowboys sent a 2025 fifth-round pick to the New England Patriots in exchange for Milton and a 2025 seventh-rounder. The hope was that Milton would give the team an exciting prospect to groom behind starter Dak Prescott.

But based on the early hype after OTAs and the team’s mandatory minicamp, Milton isn’t just giving Will Grier a run for his money for the QB2 position — he’s potentially carving out a long-term role for himself in Dallas.

When asked which players are “currently standing out” in practices, Saad Yousuf of The Athletic noted wide receiver George Pickens had a solid showing one day, as did tight end Jake Ferguson. He then shared a particularly interesting tidbit about Milton.

New QB Joe Milton Could Grow Into Potential Successor to Dak Prescott for Dallas Cowboys

The Patriots opted to move Milton to both capitalize on his potential and to concentrate on the development of 2024 first-round QB Drake Maye, with veteran Josh Dobbs backing him up. Milton himself called the trade a “blessing,” citing Texas weather, Dallas’s faster, more explosive offense and an opportunity to learn behind Prescott.

He may get a bigger opportunity than that.

“One player who really caught my attention was quarterback Joe Milton,” Yousuf wrote on June 19. “He’s very strong and makes throws down the field rolling to his off side look effortless. You can tell he still needs to process the game a little faster, but he’s a young player in a new system. I’ll be fascinated to see how he performs during training camp and preseason games. He has the tools to develop into something more for the Cowboys down the road.”

In his lone appearance last season, Milton went 22-for-29 (75.9% completion percentage) for 241 yards, a touchdown, no interceptions, a 111.4 passer rating and 16 rushing yards with a rushing TD.

His experience is limited, to be sure, but the 6-foot-5, 245-pound QB’s big frame and elite arm make him an attractive developmental asset. With Brian Schottenheimer’s offense echoing his college system, Milton has a chance to really thrive with the Cowboys — particularly if Prescott sustains another injury or takes an age-related step back.

Prescott’s 2025 Campaign Will Be Telling

Prescott, who turns 32 in July, has played one full season since 2019 due to various ailments. He suffered another gruesome season-ending injury Week 9 of last season, when he tore his hamstring off the bone against the Atlanta Falcons.

“It’s hard to see him topping his 2023 campaign when he was the MVP runner-up,” Yousuf wrote about Prescott. “But at this point in his career, it’s not about how good he can be overall, but can he be at his best in the biggest moments.”

Prescott’s hefty contract ($240 million over four years) coupled with his injury history make the depth behind him both important and worth monitoring. Thus, both Milton — and Prescott, for that matter — will face serious evaluation. If Milton plays well in the preseason, he’ll have a golden opportunity in front of him.