PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers are doing what any reasonable franchise would do with a high-level quarterback in his 30s: Exhaust the starter until Father Time collapses the pocket, then scramble for a replacement.

But the quarterback on the opposite sideline Sunday, Dallas Cowboys rookie Dak Prescott, reminds what the Steelers can have behind Ben Roethlisberger, and possibly after he's gone.

In the next few years, the Steelers will need to invest a draft pick -- possibly one from the top two to three rounds -- for a backup quarterback or eventual starter, especially if Landry Jones leaves in free agency.

The Steelers are on record that Roethlisberger, at 34, has at least three to four prime years left. Tom Brady faced that same window in his mid-30s, and that didn't stop the New England Patriots from drafting Jimmy Garoppolo in the second round in 2014 to back up a then-36-year-old Brady.

Rookie Dak Prescott has thrown 12 touchdowns to two interceptions in Dallas' 7-1 start. Scott R. Galvin/USA TODAY Sports

With Roethlisberger suffering knee injuries in back-to-back seasons, the Steelers could consider the blueprint set forth by the Cowboys, whose 4-12 season without Tony Romo in 2015 undoubtedly fueled Prescott discussion in the war room.

The Cowboys had no intentions of starting Prescott over Romo, who has missed half of this season with a back injury. But seven wins, 12 touchdown passes and 2,020 yards later, the Cowboys appear to have found their future starter with a fourth-round pick. Prescott has surpassed the expectations of even the most ardent Cowboys supporters.

Sometimes the draft universe gives you a gift.

But recent trends show that general managers were already concerned about quarterback capital in recent drafts, which helps explain why some teams don't follow the Patriot Way.

Roethlisberger is one of at least six starting quarterbacks at age 34 or older whose teams haven't drafted a quarterback in the top two rounds in recent years. The New Orleans Saints, Arizona Cardinals, San Diego Chargers, Cowboys and New York Giants also have largely stayed clear of developmental help. Of that group, only the Saints took a quarterback higher than the fourth round (third-round pick Garrett Grayson, 2015).

Those teams are lucky their quarterbacks stay healthy. That's why former Tampa Bay Bucs general manager Mark Dominik, now an ESPN analyst, says the Steelers should follow the Patriots' approach.

"Draft a QB in the top three rounds and hopefully never use him," Dominik said. "It's worth the pick for insurance and maybe find the future as well, plus an affordable backup."

With the Steelers rebuilding their defense with the past four drafts, they might be tempted to go quarterback in the middle rounds with the right talent. Offensive coordinator Todd Haley is a good quarterback evaluator. The team also could use an additional wide receiver, which could muddle the quarterback picture.

By 2018, however, Roethlisberger should have a talented draft pick playing behind him.