As we move closer to the end of the season the Cowboys will be doing some self evaluation. Not only are they looking at who could help them at this point in the season to get them to the playoffs, but they will also be looking at who will be leaving the Cowboys before the draft to put together their team needs.
One position that is probably the easier to take a look at is the quarterback position. The Cowboys know who their starter is unlike some teams. However, it is never too early to look to the future. Tony Romo will be 34 before the start of training camp and their backup quarterback Kyle Orton just celebrated his 31st birthday.
Beyond Romo and Orton, the Cowboys do not have another quarterback on the roster or the practice squad since Browns grabbed Alex Tanney. As a rule of thumb in my opinion, every team should carry three quarterbacks. Two of which on the active 46 man gameday roster and one on the practice squad. If Tony Romo goes down in a game Orton is your only option, which can be a scary thought. No coach wants to go into a game with only one healthy quarterback.
It is possible that the Cowboys could part ways with Orton in the offseason in an effort to alleviate their salary cap issues. They will need to look to the NFL Draft to find a suitable backup and eventual heir to Tony Romo. Don’t expect the Cowboys to look at quarterback early but if the opportunity presented itself Jerry might pull the trigger.
Here are a few names that I would keep my eye on.
Aaron Murray, University of Georgia
The four year starter will be coming off ACL surgery and he will not be able to participate in pro day, individual workouts or at the NFL Combine which could work in the Cowboys favor. He may slip to a late day 2 selections.
Career Statistics: 13,166 yards 121 touchdowns 41 interceptions
Jimmy Garoppolo, Eastern Illinois University
Garoppolo is the top FCS quarterback prospect in the 2014 NFL Draft class. How fitting would it be if the Cowboys brought in a quarterback from the same school that produced Tony Romo to be his eventual heir.
Career Statistics: 12,595 yards 113 touchdowns 50 interceptions
David Fales, San Jose State University
Fales is coming off a season where he posted almost identical numbers from his junior season. A lot of the nation just watched him in a shootout with Derek Carr. His best attribute is his downfield accuracy.
Career Statistics: 8,382 yards 66 touchdowns 22 interceptions
AJ McCarron
McCarron has made quite a name for himself over his last three seasons winning two national championships and only losing three games during that span. He is the unquestioned leader of the Crimson Tide and his name has been thrown into the Heisman conversation recently.
Career Statistics: 8,632 yards 75 touchdowns 13 interceptions
