Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott ranked tenth in ESPN’s list of Top 10 quarterbacks. This list is a culmination of votes and picks by several league executives, coaches, and scouts. Although Prescott consistently failed to secure any significant NFL playoff games, is he truly the tenth-best quarterback in the league?
How Dak Prescott Measures Up to Other Quarterbacks
Dak Prescott Compared to Other QBs This Offseason
Prescott had an amazing stint this past year. He threw for 4,516 yards, only to be outshined by Tua Tagovailoa (4,624 yards) and Jared Goff (4,575 yards). Prescott also only threw nine interceptions, giving him fewer turnovers than every other quarterback on the list outside of C. J. Stroud for the Houston Texans and Lamar Jackson for the Baltimore Ravens.
As far as completion, Prescott completed an incredible 69.5 percent of passes. Yet again, he was only beaten in completion by players who also did not make the top 10. It’s also worth noting that Prescott had the highest completion rating in the league, coming out at 410 completions for the season. He ranked top of the league for touchdowns, where he managed to pull off 36 touchdowns this season.
As far as stats and the regular season, Prescott deserves higher recognition than the bottom of the barrel of the top ten. In fact, he should be at least top five, and here’s why.
Game-Day Record Against Other QBs
Many commentators, and fans, will tell you that it’s head-to-head matchups that get Prescott in the bottom half of the list. He fails to show up whenever there’s another quarterback twice his capability. But is that true?
During the regular season, the Cowboys lost five games against these five teams: Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, Buffalo Bills, and the Miami Dolphins. Out of those five losses, only one of those other quarterbacks made the top 10 – Josh Allen of the Bills.
If you look even closer, you’ll realize the Cowboys beat four teams who had quarterbacks make the list. Prescott defeated the Jets, Chargers, Rams, and Lions, who all had quarterbacks in the top 10. How is it that these quarterbacks are ranked ahead of Dak?
Dak Prescott and the Playoffs
The other argument is that Prescott is garbage in the playoffs, which is true. He’s a grade-A choke. Yes, it isn’t all his fault, but a lot of the blame can go onto his shoulders when he’s pulled his team out of worse situations.
When compared to other teams that made the playoffs, we do see that Prescott is lower on the list. Prescott’s completion rate was 68.3%, slightly lower than his regular season, but giving him sixth place when compared to other QBs. His average yards per pass was significantly lower, getting him in his first 10th place ranking.
In the playoffs, Prescott threw 3 touchdowns but with 2 interceptions, showing that he did indeed panic under pressure. His passer rating according to ESPN also placed him at No. 10.
His playoff record does show room for improvement. But he isn’t much worse than other quarterbacks who were rated ahead of him.
The Ratings are Overhyped
These ratings list the top 10 best quarterbacks in the league in 2024. Unjustly, they take into account previous seasons of work. This is why guys like Joe Burrow and Aaron Rodgers, who fought off injuries throughout the season, were rated high. They have the track record to say that if they are healthy, they’ll have a good season.
ESPN rates based on years of performance, not just the prior year. It’s why players like Jordan Love of Green Bay and Brock Purdy of the 49ers failed to make the list even though they had spectacular seasons, especially in the playoffs.
However, if you’re looking at the ratings to tell you which teams will make it to the Super Bowl this season, don’t hold your breath. Because they aren’t based on the most recent season, they’re slightly skewed. When a quarterback that was runner-up for MVP gets 10th place, it’s questionable at best.
With preseason only weeks away, we’ll see how well these rankings hold up to actual gameplay.
Main Photo: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
