Machota: If Johnny Manziel becomes available, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones will likely have a strong interest

Cowboys beat writer Jon Machota held a chat on Friday. Here are some highlights. 

Since the seasons over, should they focus on drafting their quarterback of the future?

That's been on their radar since Weeden was unable to get a win in Romo's absence. It's been a popular topic of discussion with Jerry Jones. And he's recently mentioned how Steve Young learned under Montana and Rodgers under Favre. Perhaps this is the year they pull the trigger on finding their QB of the future. Two things immediately come to mind for me. No. 1, it's not a great QB draft class. The big names include guys from Memphis and North Dakota State. No. 2, Romo is signed through the 2019 season. Do they draft a QB that might have to sit behind Romo for a few years? Sure. But that hasn't been the normal route recently in the NFL. Top 10 QB picks are usually given the keys right away. ... And then, there's Johnny. If the Browns were to release Manziel or make him available via trade, I have a hard time believing Jerry Jones wouldn't have strong interest.

Do you think the Cowboys will target running back since the QB class is weak, or does our illustrious GM still think anyone can run behind that line?

A running back will be drafted by the Cowboys in one of the first three rounds. But this RB class isn't any stronger than the QB class. with a top 10 pick, I don't think the Cowboys take a running back. The top one in this class is Ohio State's Ezekiel Elliott. I'd feel comfortable with him at about 15-30. Next year's RB class with Cook and Fournette is the one where I could see multiple guys going early. If the Cowboys draft somewhere in the top 7 or 8, I'd keep an eye on one of these defensive backs: Jalen Ramsey of Florida State or Vernon Hargreaves of Florida. The Cowboys need to force turnovers. These two guys have the ability to cause them on the back end. Ramsey is probably better at free safety, moving Byron Jones to CB. Hargreaves is definitely a lockdown CB, which means the Cowboys could leave Byron Jones at free safety.

With 11 days between games and Romo done, do you expect big changes this week? If not, are there some small ones on the horizon?

I don't expect big changes. Matt Cassel at QB, Kellen Moore behind him. That's about it.

Is Tony Romo capable of mentoring Kellen Moore or are the Cowboys out of young options to groom?

Kellen Moore will not be groomed for the future. If the Cowboys want Romo to groom a young QB it will be a player they draft in one of the first two rounds in the upcoming months.

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