Former Redskins GM compares Cowboys Dak Prescott to Russell Wilson

A former general manager for the rival Washington Redskins recently compared Dallas Cowboys rookie quarterback Dak Prescott to the Seattle Seahawks’ Russell Wilson.

The Dallas Cowboys likely figured there would be a national media blitz concerning one of their rookie players at this point in the preseason. But they probably thought that hype train would be circling their first round pick, Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott. Instead, the football world has gone nuts over fourth round selection quarterback Dak Prescott.

After Prescott’s first two preseason performances, it’s easy to see why. While Elliott has yet to make his debut for the Cowboys due to a lingering hamstring injury, Prescott has looked absolutely dominate so far this preseason.

Completing a 22 of his 27 total passes with a completion rate hovering over 80%, the fourth round pick out of Mississippi State has been the most impressive rookie quarterback in the NFL bar none. Throw in Prescott’s 338 passing yards, four touchdowns by air and two more scores by land, and is it any wonder why the rookie has the football universe all giddy.

Obviously, perspective is important to keep in mind here. This is only the preseason. And many a early star that shines bright at this time of the year fizzles out by the time the real thing comes along.

But as a Cowboys fan, it’s hard not to get excited when even a former general manager of a rival like the Washington Redskins starts comparing Prescott to Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson.

"“What I liked about [Dak Prescott] in Week Two of the preseason for the Dallas Cowboys is this: Instincts. The guy has an instinct of where to throw the ball, who to throw it to and when to run,” Charlie Casserly told the NFL Network recently. “That’s a lot to be said for a young guy. I did not have any negative again for the second week in a row…His arm has looked good. He’s been accurate. And he had a deep ball that from the point of launch I measured at 63 yards. I mean that’s a cannon…if you’re the Cowboys, you gotta think ‘Do we got a Russell Wilson here?’. I know that’s a reach. But this guy has been impressive so far. He’s certainly keeping you off the telephones.”"

Both Prescott and Wilson do have many things in common. For instance, both were late round picks, with Russell being drafted in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft out of Wisconsin. Both quarterbacks were praised for their character, leadership and intangibles coming out of college. And most would consider both players to be mobile quarterbacks.

But the biggest knock on Wilson was his size, as he’s only 5-11, 215 pounds. Prescott has more of the prototypical frame weighing in at 6-2, 238 lbs. Also, Dak is coming into a situation in Dallas where he’ll have a chance to learn behind an established starting quarterback in Tony Romo.

Wilson won the starting job during his rookie season after beating out then-recently signed free agent quarterback Matt Flynn. That preseason, Russell completed 40 of his 63 passes for 536 yards, six total touchdowns and one interception. Sound familiar? The Seahawks also went undefeated in all four of those contests. The following year, Wilson would led Seattle to their first Super Bowl championship.

Next: What Dak Prescott means for the future of the Cowboys

Again, perspective is important here. Prescott has played in all of two games a a professional. And in the preseason none the less. So comparing him to a Super Bowl winner is a bit ridiculous. If the Cowboys get their wish, Prescott will not even see the field in 2016 behind a healthy Romo. But it’s certainly good to know that America’s Team might just have the future of that all-important quarterback position already secured.