Stephen A Smith can’t believe one thing Dallas Cowboys haven’t done in the NFL Draft for 30 years

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Based on history, drafting quarterbacks in the first round of the Draft doesn’t seem to be a trend for the Cowboys.

As the Draft approaches, the speculation about Dak Prescott’s future with the Dallas Cowboys is reaching its peak. With a promising class of quarterbacks in 2024, experts suggest that investing in a new QB could be the most beneficial strategy for the future of the franchise in the next few seasons.

However, the urgent need to bolster the offensive line cannot be overlooked. Protecting Prescott’s blind spot has become a crucial priority for the organisation, which could be a determining factor in ensuring the success of the quarterback and, consequently, the team.

The speeches delivered by the Cowboys’ front office give the impression that this season is likely to follow the same pattern as the last few years.

An uncertainty about the team’s performance persists, leaving fans nervous and pessimistic as to what the future holds for Dallas.

A specific prospect the Cowboys should target in the first round of the Draft

Former general manager Mike Tannenbaum, on last Friday’s edition of ESPN’s First Take, offered America’s Team an idea of who to pick in the first round of the Draft.

“If you could have someone like Michael Penix, who, to me, has a chance to be a star assuming he can stay healthy, I don’t think Dak Prescott is $55, $56 million a year, per year, better than someone like Michael Penix. Think about CeeDee Lamb, Micah Parsons, all the other things that you can do.”

He also made it clear that Prescott is better than the young talent, but that financially, it’s not worth the money to keep the veteran in the squad in 2025.

“So if Dak Prescott graduates in a year and next year he gets somewhere between $55 and $60 (million), Michael Penix has sat for a year, he takes the reins over and now you have an enormous amount of salary cap flexibility. Again: do I think Dak is better than Penix? Yes, I just don’t think he’s $55 million a year better.”

1989, the last time the Cowboys drafted a QB in the first round

Stephen A. Smith, taking part in the same show, was shocked by a piece of information he brought himself: “I can’t escape the fact that the Dallas Cowboys haven’t drafted a quarterback in the first round since Troy Aikman. Where has that gotten? I’m just looking at it from that standpoint.”

“And so I’m saying to myself, ‘Look, I’ve just got the names right here: Ben DiNucci, Mike White, of course Prescott, Steven McGee, Quincy Carter, who was 16-15 as a starter for Dallas and Bill Musgrave. Those are the quarterbacks that you’ve drafted since you drafted Troy Aikman. No wonder why you haven’t won a damn thing.”

He added that he can’t get over the fact that the Cowboys didn’t even go after Derrick Henry.

“Why the hell didn’t you go out and get Derrick Henry? You talk about a bell cap at the running back spot, you gonna let him get away, you got an opportunity to get somebody like him to take some of the pressure off of that Prescott, so that Prescott isn’t asked to drop back the past and be a savior.”

In addition to Troy Aikman, a Cowboys legend who led the team to three Super Bowl titles during his career, the franchise drafted Craig Morton as the fifth overall pick of the first round in 1965. He played for America’s Team until 1974, making two Super Bowl appearances and winning one of them.

READ MORE: Former NFL general manager names the replacement quarterback Dallas should draft to replace Dak Prescott