IRVING, Texas (AP) — The Dallas Cowboys have another candidate for the backup job behind quarterback Tony Romo.
The Cowboys took Mississippi State’s Dak Prescott with the 135th overall pick in the fourth round of the NFL draft Saturday, two days after a failed bid to trade up for another first-round choice so they could get Paxton Lynch of Memphis.
Romo missed 12 games with a twice-broken left collarbone last season, and the Cowboys slid from first to worst in the NFC East at 4-12. They went 1-11 without Romo. Kellen Moore was Romo’s backup when the season ended, and Jameill Showers spent most of the season on the practice squad.
Prescott set 38 school records with the Bulldogs and is one of two Southeastern Conference quarterbacks to throw for at least 70 touchdowns and rush for at least 40 in a career. Florida’s Tim Tebow is the other.
It’s the first time Dallas has drafted a quarterback since taking Stephen McGee, also in the fourth round, in 2009. And it’s just the third QB drafted by the Cowboys since 2001. Romo was undrafted in 2003.
