The Dallas Cowboys’ quarterback position is a topic of great discussion these days. Some think Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo can lead the talented team to a Super Bowl while others don’t even believe Romo can take Dallas back to the playoffs. We’re not just talking about his year, either. The Cowboys need to draft Romo’s replacement now, regardless of when he plays. In this 2012 NFL mock draft analysis, the Cowboys should take Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III in the first round.
Baylor’s junior quarterback is an extremely unique talent. Through six NCAA games this year, Griffin has completed 142 of 182 passes for 1950 yards, putting his completion percentage at a staggering 78. He has thrown 22 touchdown passes to only two interceptions for a quarterback rating of 205.7.
Those are great numbers, but every good quarterback should obviously be able to pass the ball. Griffin can do more than that, though. Baylor’s Heisman candidate has clocked 4.40 seconds in the 40-yard dash and he knows how to run with the football. He’s carried the ball 72 times for 295 yards this year as well.
The Cowboys need another quarterback in the fold. Whether or not Romo is the answer for now, backup Jon Kitna is nearing the end of his career and the Cowboys are still unsure of what third-stringer Stephen McGee can do.
Griffin is wise beyond his years as a quarterback and the most athletic quarterback in his class, whether that be 2012 or 2013. Griffin may elect to stay at Baylor for his senior year, but Dallas could take him in the ensuing draft. At 6-foot-2, Griffin is not a Peyton Manning-type built quarterback, but he’s quick and extremely smooth in his mechanics.
Griffin’s throwing motion is perfect; he won’t need to alter it any for the NFL. Some knock him because he doesn’t play in a pro-style offense at Baylor, but it’s almost identical to the one Cleveland Browns quarterback Colt McCoy directed at the University of Texas and he’s doing just fine.
Baylor’s offense calls a lot of short, quick passes, but Griffin has displayed his arm strength and accuracy on several deep balls this season, proving he’s not just an athlete playing quarterback.
The Cowboys have never had a mobile quarterback that was also an effective passer other than Roger Staubach. It can be argued that Romo is mobile, but he’s the reason this debate is even in existance. Griffin could be the next great mobile quarterback in Dallas. He plays just a few hours from Arlington and would fit right in with all the other Big 12 talent the Cowboys have.
The other reason Griffin is good fit is the Cowboys won’t have a top 10 draft pick again this year to take a guy like Stanford’s Andrew Luck or USC’s Matt Barkley. Griffin will probably go middle or late first round, right where the Cowboys should end up. He’d have a solid two seasons or more to learn while Romo continued to take Dallas on a rollercoaster ride of success and failure.
This is no campaign for Griffin to come to Dallas; it’s simply speculation of the possibility. At this point, many of the Dallas faithful would jump at the chance to bring in the Baylor star simply because of disgust for Romo. Don’t put it past Cowboys owner Jerry Jones; Griffin could help Dallas.
Contact Griffin at or on Twitter @Cowboys_Central
Jered Hudson inspired this article
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