Cowboys Dak Prescott: Best NFL Draft Steal of the Decade?
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott has his fair share of detractors. Many point to Prescott's presence as the reason this edition of "America's Team'' will never win a Super Bowl. We don't find that argument especially logical ... and we find one look at what Dak truly represents, in terms of draft value, as fascinating.
No one can argue that as a fourth-round selection in the 2016 NFL Draft, Prescott has played way above expectations despite the consistent knock on his ability to take Dallas to the NFL's big game.
Due to Prescott's production since 2016, ESPN has listed him as the sixth biggest draft steal of the last decade. The players ahead of him? Derrick Henry (No. 5), Cooper Kupp (No. 4), Davante Adams (No. 3), Tyreek Hill (No. 2), with Travis Kelce taking the top spot.
"Questions about accuracy and footwork surrounded Prescott when he was coming out of Mississippi State, but very few mid-round signal-callers have made an immediate impact like Prescott did with the Cowboys," ESPN wrote."
Dak stepped on only after a preseason injury to then-starter Tony Romo ... and a preseason injury to No. 2 QB Kellen Moore. Prescott got the job by default as a rookie and experienced a spectacular first year. He won Offensive Rookie of the Year along with helping to push Dallas to the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs.
Let's delve into how it all went down:
The 2016 quarterback draft class included Jared Goff (No. 1), Carson Wentz (No. 2), Paxton Lynch (No. 26), Christian Hackenberg (No. 51), Jacoby Brissett (No. 91), Cody Kessler (No.93), Connor Cook (No. 100) and then finally Dak at No. 135.
The Cowboys had a fondness for Lynch and Cook at what they thought were appropriate spots, but both went ahead of where Dallas could grab them. Of that entire list, a case can be made that Prescott thus far has had the best career, with an argument to be made for Goff, as he has been to a Super Bowl. (Wentz, although he didn't play in the Eagles' 2017 triumph over the New England Patriots, does have a Super Bowl ring.)
Stats-wise, Dak stacks up against all of those taken above him. In terms of wins, there's Goff (54-45-1), Wentz (46-45-1), Brissett (18-30) and then Prescott coming in with a 61-36 record. (Lynch and Cook are of course nowhere to be found.)
Passing yards? Prescott is near the top of the class (24,943), as Goff (25,854) leads. Wentz (22,129) and Brissett (10,350) trail.
Touchdowns and interceptions? Yes, Dak leads in TDs having thrown more touchdowns than any quarterback from his class (166), over Goff (155) and Wentz (151). And guess what? Dak has thrown fewer interceptions (65) compared to Goff (70) and Wentz (66). Hmm.
It is worth noting that Lynch, Kessler, Hackenberg, and Cook have all combined for a 3-13 record, 3,157 passing yards, 13 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. It's also worth mentioning none of them is an NFL roster anymore.
For a fourth-round pick to have had the career he has had thus far is the true definition of a "draft steal," and while Prescott's NFL story is yet to be fully written, he has already accomplished more than anyone thought he would ... having raises the bar of expectations - and the mixed reviews from critics - with those very accomplishments.
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