The Dallas Cowboys may be the perfect destination for a quarterback who is an aggressive thrower.
In his seven-round mock draft, Chris Trapasso of CBS Sports projects that the Cowboys will choose Michael Pratt of Tulane University with the 87th overall selection in the third round.
What Michael Pratt Could Bring to the Cowboys
Pratt, a 22-year-old quarterback with a very productive career as a dual-threat, played for the Green Wave for all four of his seasons. In the 2022 season alone, the 6-foot-3 quarterback threw for 27 touchdown passes and 10 running touchdowns. In addition to 28 running touchdowns, Pratt had 90 touchdown throws throughout his time as a college player.
Pratt isn’t a very quick quarterback—he declined to run the 40-yard sprint at the NFL Combine—but he can finish runs, as seen by his ability to rush the football and into the end zone.
Derrik Klassen of Bleacher Report characterizes Pratt as a “aggressive passer” with the capacity to complete runs as a short-yardage runner or red zone danger.
Klassen claims that Pratt’s risk tolerance is consistent with such mindset. He passes with aggression. Pratt constantly searches for chances to throw the ball downfield if the defense’s pre-snap look permits it. Pratt is also a rather competent athlete. Pratt’s game has some strength and balance, which helps him as a planned runner in the red zone or on short yardage plays even if he isn’t very speedy.
Michael Pratt Compared to Current Cowboys QB Cooper Rush
Pratt is projected by Trapasso to be taken in the third round, while Klassen believes that as a high-level developing prospect, the Tulane graduate will be selected in the fifth round. Additionally, he likens Pratt to Cooper Rush, a former backup quarterback for the Cowboys.
Rush, who attended Central Michigan, a non-power five university like Tulane, as an undrafted free agent in 2017, joined the Cowboys and has been a backup ever since. Throughout his career, Rush has started six games and is 5-1 overall.
In his own scouting report, Bleacher Report’s Maurice Moton notes that Pratt makes up for his lack of exceptional arm power with catchable throws. Pratt is also brought up by him as a possible Dak Prescott substitute, given that the franchise quarterback is approaching the final year of his Dallas deal.
The 22-year-old has excellent touch when placing the ball, making up for his lack of arm power, according to Moton. “He throws a catchable ball most of the time, giving his pass-catchers an opportunity to make plays after receptions.”
Although the Cowboys are certain that they intend to re-sign Prescott, the possibility that this will be his last season in Dallas exists because he hasn’t signed a contract extension. It could be time to change course, especially considering that in Prescott’s eight years as the starting quarterback, the Cowboys have not advanced past the divisional round.
In fact, Adam Schefter of ESPN recently declared the Cowboys to be a “sleeper” club when it comes to quarterback draft picks.
Instead of selecting a Michael Penix Jr. or Bo Nix in the first round, the Cowboys could use a mid-round choice to choose a passer like Pratt, offering insurance for Prescott while also avoiding a quarterback issue.
