Cowboys List of Mid-Round NFL Draft QBs as Dak Backups? Dane Brugler Scouts

FRISCO - The Dallas Cowboys have made no secret of their desire to take a quarterback in the upcoming NFL Draft, one who could potentially serve as a long-term backup to Dak Prescott.

And The Athletic’s Dane Brugler is here to help, with target ideas for Dallas led by Fresno State standout Jake Haener.

A strong Senior Bowl week has raised awareness on Haener, with Brugler noting that the ex-Bulldogs signal-caller is “doing high-level quarterback things” ... and making a comparison, to Commanders backup quarterback Taylor Heinicke.

Brugler's scouting report: “Before turning on the tape for Fresno State’s Jake Haener last summer, I didn’t have high expectations. He is undersized and doesn’t have a power arm when I saw him on TV. However, if I were running a team, drafting Haener in the middle rounds would be a priority to get him in my quarterbacks room.''

There are other answers at No. 2 QB, as backup Cooper Rush could be signed and prevented from leaving in free agency. And there are other mid-round draft names, too, so far for Dallas the TCU standout Max Duggan being linked - because Cowboys owner Jerry Jones says so.

One problem (and we're sure our guy Brugler is aware of this): Haener has talked of modeling his game after former Saints star Drew Brees ... and there is a specific reason.

Haener is likely to measure in at 5-11. That's Brees-like ... but it is also far from what Dallas coach Mike McCarthy views as "the mold.''

Said Haener: “If you can throw it and you’re accurate, that’s what Drew was. Drew’s been able to do it better than everyone else so far. So, I just try to do everything I can that’s similar to him - quick feet, accuracy, timing - and just do the best I can.”

If Haener is Brees Jr.? Jerry can be right and Brugler can be right and Jake Haener can be Dak's caddy - and maybe more.

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