Can 2024 NFL Draft sixth-round pick Joe Milton be the Cowboys QB of the future?

The Dallas Cowboys are hoping they’ve found their quarterback of the future after trading a 2025 fifth-round pick to the New England Patriots in exchange for quarterback Joe Milton and a seventh-round pick. This move comes after the team decided to part ways with Trey Lance earlier this offseason and likely signals that they won’t be targeting a quarterback in the upcoming 2025 NFL Draft.

Much of the excitement around Milton stems from his impressive performance in the Patriots’ final game of the season against the Buffalo Bills. In that game, he completed 22 of 29 passes for 241 yards and a touchdown, while also adding a rushing score. Milton displayed several high-level traits that had also appeared during his college days at Tennessee.

Scouting Joe Milton

One of the most obvious strengths is his elite arm talent. Milton has claimed he can throw the ball 95 yards, which would give him the strongest arm in the NFL. That kind of power was on full display against Buffalo, when he rolled to his right and launched a 48-yard touchdown pass across his body to Kayshon Boutte. This trait isn’t new—back at Tennessee in 2022, despite only starting two games, he still ranked 14th in the nation in completions over 50 yards and averaged a staggering 17.8 yards per completion.

In addition to his arm, Milton’s athleticism is eye-catching, especially for a quarterback listed at 6-foot-5 and 246 pounds. He combines rare size, strength, agility, and mobility. He was known in college for shaking off would-be tacklers in the pocket, and he showed off his escapability in the Bills game as well, operating the sprint-out passing game effectively. He even managed to do a backflip in that game, putting his agility on full display.

But while Milton offers plenty of upside, there are still serious concerns. In the preseason, he completed just 36% of his passes, this inaccuracy also raised red flags for scouts during the 2024 NFL Draft process. According to the Blair Quarterback Academy, his biggest issue is poor footwork—especially when it comes to aligning his feet to the target. Though this is coachable, the fact that he hasn’t corrected it heading into his second year is a bit concerning.

Another area that needs improvement is his touch as a passer. Milton often rifles the ball when a softer, more precise throw is needed. He tends to fire passes on a line when a lofted "three ball" would be more appropriate, allowing his receiver to adjust and making it harder for defenders to break up the play.

Ultimately, the kind of quarterback Milton becomes will depend heavily on coaching. He has all the physical tools to develop into a starting-caliber player, but the Cowboys’ staff will need to focus on refining his footwork and helping him learn when and how to vary his throws within the offense.

More NFL Draft history: