Most starters weren’t playing in January when the New England Patriots hosted the Buffalo Bills. It was more like a preseason game than a Week 18 regular-season finale.

But it was an important day for Joe Milton III.

He wasn’t concerned about a Patriots win eliminating their chance of securing the first pick in this month’s NFL Draft. The Bills were resting most of their starters because they had already locked up the No. 2 seed in the AFC playoffs.

Milton used his opportunity to play 61 of the team’s 64 offensive snaps to showcase what he could do with meaningful reps. Before that week, the rookie had been New England’s scout team quarterback. That week he received first-team practice reps.

What followed was one of the reasons the Dallas Cowboys traded their fifth-round pick (No. 171 overall) on Thursday to New England in exchange for Milton and a Patriots seventh-round pick (No. 217 overall).

Milton was outstanding in the first half against the Bills, completing 12 of 13 passes for 139 yards, one touchdown, no interceptions and a 136.9 passer rating. He also rushed for a 1-yard touchdown to cap his first series. His lone incompletion was an excellent decision, throwing the ball away after scrambling to create more time for his receivers to get open.

Milton finished the game, a 23-16 Patriots win, 22 of 29 passing for 241 yards, one touchdown, no interceptions and a 111.4 passer rating.

“Playing in that last game, I realized that football is just football,” Milton told DallasCowboys.com. “No matter what level you’re on, approach the game the same. Go out there and execute the way you would if you were in college or high school. And then for the way that you prepare, your preparation is very important. Always prepare as if you’re the starter and then go out there and execute when your name is called.”

Again, so many starters weren’t playing that this was more like a preseason game. But even in a preseason game, what Milton displayed was more impressive than what is expected from the 193rd pick in the most recent draft.

Not only was Milton accurate, completing his first 11 passes for 139 yards, but also he never seemed uncomfortable, used his feet when needed and took care of the football. He was at his best rolling to his right. There was no better example than on his 48-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Kayshon Boutte.

Joe Milton is balling in his debut! 48-yard TD pass to Boutte!

Even though the play was called back because of a penalty, it was impressive.

“I’m a cool, calm, collected person,” Milton told the team website. “I like to have fun. I’m very passionate about football. I play ‘Call of Duty’ here and there. I like being me. You’ll always see me smiling for one, and I’m always going to enjoy my teammates to the best that I can.”

The Cowboys didn’t trade for Milton because he’s expected to be their franchise quarterback. They made the move because backup quarterback Cooper Rush signed with the Baltimore Ravens and it was time to go younger at the position behind franchise QB Dak Prescott.

Milton, who turned 25 last month, has outstanding size and arm strength. At 6-foot-5, 245 pounds, he has good mobility and is difficult to bring down. This move likely had a lot to do with what the Cowboys think of this year’s quarterback draft class. They never had plans of using a Day 1 or Day 2 pick on a quarterback. They’re paying Prescott $60 million per season. But they were expected to look at the position on Day 3. They could still use a late-round pick on a quarterback or sign one as an undrafted free agent, but it’s no longer necessary. They can go into the season with a QB room of Prescott, Milton and Will Grier.

Milton spent six years in college, three at Michigan and three at Tennessee. He didn’t become a full-time starter until his final year with the Volunteers. He threw 30 touchdowns to only five interceptions during his final two college seasons. But there were concerns entering the draft about his accuracy and decision-making.

Dane Brugler, The Athletic’s draft expert, ranked Milton as the 10th-best quarterback in last year’s class, a more talented group than this year’s. Brugler had him projected as a fifth- or sixth-round pick.

“A strong, mobile athlete, Milton has an absolute hose for an arm (in the mix for the strongest I have ever evaluated) and will make throws every game that gives evaluators hope,” Brugler wrote in his 2024 The Beast draft guide. “However, the lack of consistency with his decision-making and ball placement remains a pinnacle concern. Overall, Milton has the physical tools that scream first-round pick, but his passing instincts and ability to read the field are undeveloped.

“He is a project quarterback prospect, and some teams believe he will eventually transition to tight end in the NFL (similar path as Logan Thomas).”

Milton might not have another game like he did in Gillette Stadium three months ago. He might never be more than a backup quarterback who occasionally gets into a meaningful game to use his big body and athleticism to convert in a short-yardage situation. Milton rushed 78 times for 299 yards and seven touchdowns during his final college season. But there was significant upside on display back in January. The Patriots have their young franchise QB in Drake Maye, the third pick last year. They were willing to ship Milton to the highest bidder.

The Cowboys were a team that made sense. Had things worked out differently with Trey Lance, who signed with the Los Angeles Chargers on Friday, Milton would have not been needed. But Dallas felt like it was time to move in another direction. Milton now gets a chance in Brian Schottenheimer’s offense to see if he can continue building off what he did in Week 18.

At the league meeting last week, two days before the Cowboys traded for Milton, Schottenheimer was asked a question about Prescott and the team’s run game.

“Quarterback scrambles are up, that’s where the game is going,” Schottenheimer said. “Why is the game going that way? Well, these defensive lines are frickin’ incredibly talented and they’re deep. Most teams now have four, five, six first-rounders on their front seven, so the pass rush has become really, really good. I would say that’s the bigger part of it. Not just (offensive coordinator Klayton Adams’) run game, but the ability to extend plays. And then when things break down, pull it down and make your six, eight, 10 yards (on the ground).”

His answer was about Prescott, but the response also fits what Milton displayed during his lone opportunity in New England.