Is this Dallas Cowboys quarterback overrated by his peers?

After making it to 14th overall on the NFL’s Top 100 Players of 2016 list, some people are questioning if Dak Prescott is listed too high for a rookie.

Being a quarterback in the National Football League automatically puts a spotlight on you.  Play that position for one of the premiere franchises in sport and it becomes a flood light.

For Dak Prescott, last year was his initiation into what it means to be the quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys.

When things are good, things are really good.

So when the NFL Network unveiled it’s Top 100 Players of 2016, the rookie quarterback’s ascent up the list came as little shock.  Being chosen as the fourteenth overall best player and fifth best quarterback though may have turned a head or two.

Did Prescott have a really good year, deserving of such accolades?  Absolutely.

Only the New England Patriots won more games than the Dallas Cowboys last year.  Seeing as how Tom Brady will be in the top five, Dak being fourteenth seems fair.  Especially when you consider 2016 on its own.

Statistically speaking, Prescott was third in passer rating and fourth in completion percentage.  He also had the second lowest number of interceptions for passers with 400+ attempts.  Lastly, for those who want to label him as a “dink and dunk” guy, he finished fourth in yards per attempt.

Yes, he “only” threw for 3,667 yards when thirteen other quarterbacks threw for 4,000+.  Yes, he “only” threw for 23 touchdowns when five others threw for 30+.

So what?

He did add another six touchdowns on the ground and last time I checked, those count the same on the scoreboard.  As for his yards, this offense is not pass happy.  Having the luxury of handing the ball off to Ezekiel Elliott is going to reduce your yardage as a quarterback.

That, of course, brings up another silly argument.  You know, that whole “Dak is a product of having great players around him” garbage.

Does anyone down play what Matt Ryan or Ben Roethlisberger does because they have top ten rushers behind them?  Does anyone take credit away from Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers or Brady from being in the same system for over a decade?

Sure, Prescott has the luxury of Elliott, Dez Bryant, Jason Witten and the best offensive line in football.  Other guys have luxuries too.

At some point, you just have to give credit where credit is due.

Beyond all the on-field stuff, the way Prescott handled the situation he was put in to in 2016 was amazing.  The shadow of a legend hanging over him.  Having to learn the NFL game on the fly.  Playing for the Dallas Cowboys.  Almost any other rookie would have crumbled under such intense scrutiny.

Dak?  He thrived.  He led this team and won over guys in the locker room week by week.  Not once did you hear of any fractured locker room talk.  Prescott said and did all the right things at each opportunity.

Is Dak Prescott overrated by his peers?  I don’t believe so.

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If anything, he could have been higher.  If you think he was, just wait until 2017 when Prescott comes back for his encore.

I have a feeling you’ll be seeing Prescott fairly high on this list for many more years to come.