On Thursday, the Dallas Cowboys pulled off a trade ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft. The Cowboys needed to explore options at the position after Trey Lance walked into free agency and Cooper Rush signed with the Baltimore Ravens.
Dak Prescott is still recovering from surgery this offseason after suffering a partial avulsion of his right hamstring that ended his season early in 2024. The team needed a solid backup option for Prescott, who has a troubling injury history.
The Dallas Cowboys pull off a trade with the New England Patriots
Per Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, the Cowboys traded a fifth-round pick to the New England Patriots for Joe Milton III and a seventh-round pick.
“Sources: The #Patriots are trading QB Joe Milton to the #Cowboys in exchange for late-round draft pick compensation,” Rapoport posted on X. “A new backup for Dak Prescott, Milton went 22 of 29 for 241 yards and a TD in Week 18 last year, a New England win. The potential is there. Now, a new home.”
It's a 5th round pick for Joe Milton and 7th rounder. https://t.co/5rdaYqXGzp
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 3, 2025
In college, Milton appeared in 43 games and threw for 5,353 yards, 37 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. He added 661 yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground.
The sixth-round pick in the 2024 draft turned heads when he went 22-of-29 passing for 241 yards and a touchdown in the Patriots’ 23-16 win over the Buffalo Bills in Week 18. Those were the only stats for the sixth-round pick out of Tennessee.
NFL fans’ immediate reactions to the trade for Joe Milton III
Guess I just don’t understand the rush to trade him away for nothing,” wrote a Patriots fan.
“Cowboys finally making a move,” posted another.
“Need someone for when Dak gets hurt again,” suggested a fan.
“Flipping JM III, a 6th round pick, for a 5 and a 7th round pick, is actually pretty smart. We’ll have to draft another qb in the draft to back up Drake, but I like it.” argued a Patriots fan.
“Wanted a higher pick but not surprised. Dude played 1 game(looked great) but that was against backups who weren’t really playing to win. Maybe Vrabel has his eye on another late round QB,” thinks another Patriots fan.
“Good move by Dallas,” wrote another.
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