The Dallas Cowboys are shaking things up in their quarterback lineup by trading for Joe Milton III, a second-year player from the New England Patriots. In exchange for acquiring Milton, the Cowboys are moving back two rounds in the draft, giving up a fifth-round pick and receiving a seventh-round pick in return.

Jeff Howe, a contributor to The Athletic, praised the transaction, awarding the Cowboys a “B” grade. According to Howe, “Milton is a high-risk, high-reward prospect.

He performed admirably in limited playtime as a rookie, especially during the preseason and the season finale, where he completed 22 of 29 passes for 241 yards, scored a touchdown, and added another on the ground in a 23-16 victory against Buffalo.”

Howe also noted, “Milton possesses one of the most powerful arms in the league and will have the opportunity to grow under Prescott’s mentorship in Dallas, reducing the pressure on him as long as Prescott remains healthy.” Milton is poised to serve as Dak Prescott’s main backup, a role that proved crucial last season and demands a skilled player, which Milton aims to be while learning from Prescott.

This move also allows the Cowboys to focus on other positions in the upcoming draft, as they likely preferred Milton over any Day 3 quarterback prospects. Trading with the Patriots offers them more draft flexibility later this month. Milton will join the Cowboys as soon as possible, eager to continue his development with aspirations of eventually becoming Dallas’ leading quarterback.