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The Dallas Cowboys could scoop up QB Cade Klubnik #2 of the Clemson Tigers in the NFL draft.
Certainly, the Dallas Cowboys are well-staffed when it comes to the quarterback room. Dak Prescott is the starter and remains one of the best in the game when healthy. The Cowboys traded for his top backup, Joe Milton, a year ago from the Patriots, and this offseason, they signed a Milton competitor, Sam Howell, to a one-year, $2.5 million contract. Thus, there will be a quarterback competition in Oxnard this summer.
But why stop there? It’s possible that when we get to the late rounds of the NFL draft in a little more than three weeks, the Cowboys could give a look at another quarterback who could be worthy of an investment.
At least, that’s the thought from ESPN draft guru Matt Miller who undertook a massive, full, seven-round mock draft this week, which saw the Cowboys use one of their fifth-round compensatory picks to gamble on one of the big disappointments of the 2025 college season, Cade Klubnik of Clemson.
Cowboys Add Cade Klubnik in ESPN Mock Draft
According to the ESPN mock draft, the Cowboys could acquire Klubnik as the eighth pick off the board in this draft, a pretty steep drop from a year ago, when Klubnik was considered one of the best quarterbacks in the 2026 draft and a potential first-round pick. Klubnik was, once upon a time, the No. 1 prospect in football, twice named national Offensive Player of the Year by USA Today.
But he underwent a brutal year at Clemson, which started the season ranked No. 4 in the AP poll, but went just 7-6 on the season. Klubnik threw for 3,639 yards and 36 touchdowns in 2024 but that crashed down to 2,943 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2025.
Cade Klubnik ‘Production Declined in 2025’
Here’s how the NFL.com scouting report sees Klubnik heading into the draft: “Much was expected of Klubnik after a strong showing in 2024, but his play and production declined in 2025. He’s undersized but athletic and shows an ability to attack zone windows with adequate velocity over the first two levels. He can make some timing throws with anticipation when in rhythm.
“However, when the first read isn’t there, his field vision is average and he’s not good enough off-platform/out of structure to succeed at a high enough rate. … Maintaining poise and mechanics are essential, so finding a short passing attack with a competent run game feels like a must for Klubnik.”
GettyLinebacker Harold Perkins Jr. #7 of the LSU Tigers
Cowboys Frontload on Defense
That’s probably not a recipe for long-term success for Klubnik, whether with the Cowboys or whichever team drafts him in the end.
More generally, Miller’s view on the Cowboys’ overall draft approach is interesting because it, predictably, has Dallas pursuing defensive help in all four of its first picks early in the draft, but shifts the focus to gambles on offense in the final four picks. The Cowboys rated as one of the worst defenses in the NFL in 2025, and added four possible starters–Jalen Thompson, Rashan Gary, PJ Locke and Cobie Durant–in free agency.
Miller projects them adding injured Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy and Toledo safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren in the first round, with LSU linebacker Harold Perkins the solution at linebacker in the third round. Dallas would then go with Dani Dennis-Sutton, the Penn State edge, in the fourth round.
After that, it’s all offense: tight end Josh Cuevas and running back Jam Miller from Alabama with fifth-round picks, and receiver Chase Roberts from BYU in the seventh round.
Sean Deveney is a veteran sports reporter covering the NBA, NFL and MLB for Heavy.com. He has written for Heavy since 2019 and has more than two decades of experience covering the NBA, including 17 years as the lead NBA reporter for the Sporting News. Deveney is the author of 7 nonfiction books, including “Fun City,” “Before Wrigley became Wrigley,” and “Facing Michael Jordan.” More about Sean Deveney
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