Last year, the Dallas Cowboys were hoping to draft a running back and a quarterback that would help set up America's Team for the future in the post-Tony Romo era. Jerry Jones and company were able to do just that with Ezekiel Elliott and Dak Prescott, but it wasn't the combination of players the team had targeted.
Apparently, the Cowboys brass had their hearts set on drafting Paxton Lynch who ultimately ended up with the Denver Broncos, according to ESPN's Todd Archer.
Had things gone the way owner Jerry Jones hoped on April 28, 2016, Paxton Lynch might be the Cowboys' starting quarterback Sunday against the Denver Broncos.
Lynch was one of three quarterbacks that were taken in the first round of the NFL Draft last year. The Los Angeles Rams went with Jared Goff at No. 1 while the Philadelphia Eagles drafted Carson Wentz at No. 2 followed by Lynch at No. 26.
Prescott, however, wasn't off the board until the Cowboys grabbed him in the fourth round. With Lynch's long-term future in the NFL still a question mark as he backs up Trevor Siemian in Denver and Prescott already considered the new face of the franchise in Dallas, the Cowboys clearly lucked out by not trading up to get Lynch before the Broncos could draft him.
Last season, Prescott led the team to the top seed in the NFC while losing only three games in the regular season and falling just short of advancing in the playoffs. If it hadn't been for an incredible performance by Aaron Rodgers of the Green Bay Packers, the Cowboys would've advanced to the NFC Championship Game to face the Atlanta Falcons.
Needless to say, advantage Cowboys.