For the past week, the Dallas Cowboys have been popping up on the radar for Johnny Manziel. Jerry Jones has made hints that the team will add another young quarterback to the roster at some point this year after Tony Romo underwent surgery in the offseason and Kyle Orton has failed to show up to training camp. Getting Manziel would be a tough pull for the Cowboys so who are some other options?
The Cowboys have to start thinking of life after Romo. Many fans wish this process had started sooner, but that is another story. Currently on the roster, Brandon Weeden is not the future. Caleb Hanie is not the future. The Cowboys do not have many options and should Romo continue his history of injuries, getting a quarterback in this year's deep draft class is a favorable move for Dallas.
The Cowboys continue to be linked to Manziel. The team will make their first pick at No. 16. Manziel will be gone by No. 2. If the Cowboys are seriously going to trade up for the quarterback, they will have to give up a lot to the Houston Texans or St. Louis Rams. Is it worth sacrificing an entire draft just to get a player that will sit for a year? No, even Jones knows that. According to the Dallas Morning News, the Cowboys will draft Manziel, but only if a miracle occurs and he drops all the way down to No. 16. If that does not happen, a late-round option or a trade could be in the works.
Dallas has looked at several late-round quarterbacks that could be taken as high as the third round. Players like Aaron Murray, AJ McCarron or Derek Carr would be excellent options to sit and learn behind Romo for a few seasons and eventually take over. All three hold similar skill sets to the veteran and transition well into the Dallas offense.
A trade could also be valuable for Dallas. At least one or two of the quarterbacks on the roster currently will get released, leaving space. If Dallas is not sold on a rookie this year, they could try and pull someone away from another team. Currently, several young backups are available. Both Ryan Nassib and Mike Glennon have been made available for trading. Kirk Cousins could also be an option. The Cowboys do not have draft picks to trade. The made very few moves in free agency and need to fill the voids with rookies. Any team shopping a backup wants draft picks.
A late-round quarterback will likely be the way Dallas goes. Jones has hinted that while Manziel is a splashy pick, the team must be smart with how they work this draft. A trade in anyway is not the best move.