Dallas Cowboys

Stephen Jones says Cowboys won't pass on franchise QB at No. 4

Published Feb. 24, 2016 9:37 a.m. ET

foxsports

After dealing with a woeful backup quarterback carousel for most of the 2015 season, there has been speculation that the Dallas Cowboys could select a quarterback with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft.

On Tuesday, Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones confirmed that the team will not pass on the quarterback position with their first-round pick if he has the potential to be a franchise player.

Via Star-Telegram:

"I mean you have to look at it," Jones said. "You’re not naive to it but if you have the opportunity in this league, in our situation, to get a potential franchise quarterback, then you have to make the investment. You have to have the patience. You sacrifice maybe that opportunity that maybe is impactful right now."

The Dallas Cowboys are in a unique position this offseason with a top 5 pick.

On one hand, they already have a franchise quarterback in place and the last time Tony Romo was healthy, the Cowboys won the NFC East with a 12-4 record in 2014. At No. 4, they will have their pick of several players with potential to help the team immediately.

On the other, the Cowboys may not find themselves in this draft position again with Romo at the helm. Dallas won just four games in 2015 -- its lowest total since 1989.

The Cowboys have needs at defensive end, cornerback, linebacker and running back, and they will have their choice at a premium player at any of those positions with their first pick. However, it certainly sounds like the Cowboys will strongly consider bypassing their present needs to find a potential successor for Romo.