Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys‘ season has taken a devastating turn. On Tuesday morning, the team received the dreaded news that starting quarterback Dak Prescott will miss the rest of the year due to season-ending hamstring surgery. With Prescott sidelined, the Cowboys’ playoff hopes have evaporated, leaving the franchise to shift its focus to next year’s NFL Draft.
The silver lining, if there is one, is that the Cowboys now have a clearer path to a high draft pick in April, which could help reshape their future. With Prescott already signed to a long-term deal before the season, quarterback is no longer an immediate need. Instead, Dallas could focus on securing a top talent to help accelerate their rebuild and continue their championship pursuit.
A Top Draft Pick Is Now on the Horizon
At this point, the Cowboys are looking ahead to the 2025 NFL Draft, and with their disappointing performance so far, they could be positioned to pick early. As of now, tankathon.com has Dallas slated for the 11th overall pick, but with the way the season is going, the Cowboys are trending toward a potential spot in the Top Five.
This high draft positioning opens the door for the Cowboys to target the best non-quarterback prospects in a loaded class. One player that has garnered significant attention is Colorado’s dual-threat standout, Travis Hunter. Whether as a wide receiver or cornerback, Hunter is quickly becoming one of the most coveted prospects in the 2025 draft, and Dallas is reportedly a potential landing spot for him.
The Case for Travis Hunter in Dallas
Hunter, a two-way star for the Colorado Buffaloes, has captured the attention of scouts for his ability to excel both as a wide receiver and a cornerback. His versatility is something that could provide a major boost to a Cowboys team that’s currently reeling and looking for new playmakers.
According to Trevor Sikkema of Pro Football Focus, Dallas could be an ideal landing spot for Hunter—particularly as a wide receiver opposite CeeDee Lamb. With cornerbacks DaRon Bland and Trevon Diggs already established as two of the league’s top playmakers in terms of takeaways, the Cowboys would likely deploy Hunter more as a receiver, adding another dynamic threat to an already talented offense.
But Hunter’s fit with Dallas goes beyond just his receiving ability. The Cowboys’ defense, led by star edge rusher Micah Parsons, has been dominant, but there is potential flexibility for Hunter to contribute on both sides of the ball. If Dallas finds itself in a situation where they can’t afford to keep all their top defenders—like Bland, who is entering the final year of his rookie contract—Hunter could seamlessly transition to a starting cornerback role. This would allow the Cowboys to allocate resources elsewhere, such as adding another receiver or improving their defensive front, depending on the team’s financial situation.
In short, Hunter provides Dallas with the flexibility to address multiple needs, making him a versatile and valuable asset.
Could Shedeur Sanders Be the Cowboys’ Future QB?
While the Cowboys’ quarterback situation seems secure with Prescott locked in, some have suggested an intriguing alternative: drafting Shedeur Sanders, the star quarterback from Colorado, and pairing him with his father, Deion Sanders, who has taken the college football world by storm as the head coach of the Buffaloes.
Drafting Sanders could provide Dallas with a long-term solution at the most important position on the field, but it’s unclear whether the Cowboys are willing to entertain a quarterback change so soon after committing to Prescott. Still, it’s a storyline worth watching as Deion’s success continues to raise his son’s profile, and the Cowboys could potentially be looking for a future quarterback with a high ceiling.
For now, though, the Cowboys’ immediate focus should be on improving the roster around Prescott, which will help them stay competitive in the NFC when he returns. While they won’t need to target a quarterback in the first round, adding another playmaker like Hunter could elevate both the offense and defense to new heights.
Conclusion: The Cowboys’ Future After Prescott’s Injury
With Prescott’s injury ruling out any hopes of a deep playoff run, the Cowboys now face the reality of a lost season. But that doesn’t mean they can’t use the draft to position themselves for future success. Whether it’s Travis Hunter bringing a new level of excitement to the offense or defense, or potentially even making a bold move for Shedeur Sanders down the line, the Cowboys are at a crossroads that could define their next era.
With a top-five draft pick potentially in their future, the Cowboys are in a prime position to add a game-changing talent to their roster. While their season may be over, their future is still very much alive—and the draft could provide the key to unlocking the next chapter in Dallas’ quest for a championship.
