It seems inevitable that the Cowboys will draft a quarterback.
The Dallas Cowboys know they need to draft a quarterback in this year’s NFL draft. Cooper Rush is officially out of Dallas and will backup Lamar Jackson in Baltimore, and Trey Lance unlikely to return, so the only other quarterback on the roster behind Dak Prescott is Will Grier. A backup quarterback is now a need and expect the team to pick up a guy in Day 3 of the draft. Here are the top-five late round guys that fit Dallas in this year’s draft.
1. Kyle McCord (Syracuse): McCord would be a solid fit for the Cowboys as a developmental backup and ranks at the top of this list. He has a strong arm, experience in a pro-style system, and has shown an ability to handle high-pressure situations. Originally playing for Ohio State, he then transferred to Syracuse and played in big games, showing flashes of being a capable pocket passer with good decision-making skills. At the Shrine Bowl, McCord was easily one of the highlights during the week and proved he was no fluke.
He would fit the offensive plan for Dallas that will look to add more play-action and his deep ball accuracy is extremely exciting to watch. While he needs to improve his mobility and consistency under pressure, sitting behind Dak Prescott in Dallas would give him the time to develop his mechanics and understanding. With the Cowboys’ strong supporting cast at wide receiver, McCord could thrive as a long-term backup, and when called on to spot the offense if needed.
.@CuseFootball QB Kyle McCord with a picture perfect deep ball 🎯
📺: 2025 #NFLCombine on NFL Network
📱: Stream on @NFLPluspic.twitter.com/NLdbFY3S7l— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) March 2, 2025
2. Dillon Gabriel (Oregon): Size is against Gabriel at only 5’11” and just over 200-pounds. But it’s what’s between the ears that makes Gabriel a fine choice for Dallas. His pre-snap reads and awareness, along with quick reactions and processing make Gabriel one of the best in this department among all the prospects on this list. The way he dissects defenses and throws with a very quick release, he almost compares to Tony Romo. Where he differs from Romo (apart from size) is his speed and mobility. He has some wheels to get out and go. The issue is no matter how much coaching Gabriel has by NFL coaches, they cannot coach his size. He’s a smart quarterback, but you’ll find him this far down in Day 3 of the draft due to him being an outlier due to the physical measurable’s.
WHAT A DIME 🎯
Dillon Gabriel to Tez Johnson for the @oregonfootball TD 🙌 pic.twitter.com/Xbvt0to6id
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 29, 2024
3. Kurtis Rourke (Indiana): Rourke is another great fit for Dallas as a late-round backup due to his size and poise, and he’s another guy that has a lot of experience in a pro-style offense. The Indiana quarterback looks more like a linebacker with his size which makes him hard to bring down, and he has a strong arm with good accuracy. He also has the ability to make quick decisions with the ball. He suits the Cowboys’ passing attack needs with a proven track record; last season he threw for a 70% completion rate, over 3,000 yards, with 29 passing touchdowns to only five interceptions.
He isn’t the most mobile quarterback, but his pocket presence and ability to read defenses make him a very solid developmental option. He would make a great fit in terms of being the closest comparison to Dak than most of the guys on this list and the fact he’s much older (24), isn’t so much of a factor when you’re asking him to be your developmental QB2. The biggest hindrance to Dallas drafting him is the medicals, which includes an ACL injury that came late in the season. That’s one reason you’ll hear most scouts saying his a late Day 3 pick. But Rourke is a huge sleeper in this draft.
Indiana QB Kurtis Rourke vs Purdue:
🔴 23/31
🔴 349 YDS
🔴 6 TDS
🔴 0 INTS@IndianaFootball pic.twitter.com/rtTsRIfz19— PFF College (@PFF_College) December 1, 2024
4. Brady Cook (Missouri): Cook led Missouri to two 10-win seasons, earning accolades such as the Music City Bowl MVP and Goodyear Cotton Bowl Offensive MVP. He has above average arm strength, good agility, and is known for his leadership (something comparable to Dak). However, his areas for improvement revolve around his decision-making, which is a serious issue, and also his general ball placement. Cook is projected to be selected in the seventh round and would need a lot of coaching, mostly with his arm strength and footwork. But if the Cowboys coaches can put in the time to coach him up, Cook could be a great career backup quarterback for Dallas.
After an ELITE #NFLCombine performance, @MizzouFootball QB Brady Cook combined proven experience against elite competition, tested leadership as a three year captain, and an outstanding athlete at the position.
He leaves #Missouri as one of the most prolific passers in school… pic.twitter.com/p1Qdyzzl79
— Eric Galko (@EricGalko) March 4, 2025
5.. Seth Henigan (Memphis): It’s more than likely Henigan goes undrafted, but there’s a chance a team goes to get him late in round seven to make sure he doesn’t get picked up in the undrafted free agent pool. Dallas has one of the last picks of the draft at pick 247 so they may pull trigger on Henigan. If not he’s a good pickup as a UDFA.
Henigan was an efficient and consistent point-producer during his college career. In 2024, he completed 65% of his passes for 3,502 yards with 25 touchdowns and six interceptions. His experience and consistency make him an intriguing late-round selection. His arm talent is average, he has good mobility, and reads the field well. That’s checking a lot of boxes this late in the draft for a backup quarterback. His potential hinges on his capacity to address his mechanical issues and improve his general physical tools.
