Report: Dallas Cowboys 'intrigued' by Ohio State QB CJ Stroud in 2023 NFL Draft

The Dallas Cowboys are reportedly intrigued by Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud in the 2023 NFL Draft, according to SI’s Mike Fisher. Stroud is considered one of the top quarterbacks in this year’s draft class, along with Alabama’s Bryce Young and Kentucky’s Will Levis. It’s a matter of when, not if, Stroud goes in the first round.

But the Cowboys hold the No. 26 overall pick, well after Stroud is expected to last. Plus, there’s the Dak Prescott situation.

“I don’t know the ‘how,”’ the source said, via Fisher. “But (Dallas is) absolutely intrigued by Stroud.”

Prescott is on a long-term deal with the Cowboys for a lot of money. He can be an unrestricted free agent in 2025 and is due $31 million in 2023 and $29 million in 2024 in his base salary with the team.

Prescott led the Cowboys back to the playoffs this season and won their Wild Card Round game at Tampa Bay. However, Dallas fell to the San Francisco 49ers and did not make the NFC Championship Game once again.

Cowboys vice president Stephen Jones said the team could make a decade-long commitment to Prescott earlier this month. That would definitely put this Stroud situation in doubt.

“Dak is going to be our guy for, hopefully, the next 10 years,” Jones said. “You say that’s a long time because he’s already played six or seven, but I think Dak will play that long because he takes care of himself, and he’s driven to be great. And we fully expect him to be here for 10 years.”

Prescott is currently locked in through 2024 but he has a massive cap hit coming in 2023, making a contract extension one of the more palatable options for Dallas.

Another option is contract restructuring. The Cowboys could save roughly $22 million in cap space for 2023. However, the dead money would come into play eventually in 2025. Team owner Jerry Jones revealed the team intended to draft a quarterback this year. Could that mean Stroud and Dallas link up?

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It would likely involve a big trade up the first round for Jones and company. Plus a first-round investment in a two-time Heisman finalist would cause a lot of questions in the quarterback room led by Prescott.