No other quarterback in the NFL is graded on a harsher curve than Dak Prescott. Unfortunately, there are many Dallas Cowboys fans who don't appreciate just how good Prescott is, but the majority of folks understand that he's part of the solution in North Texas.
Prescott will need a deep playoff run at some point in the near future. He's yet to make it beyond the Divisional Round and a 2-5 playoff record is not indicative of an elite quarterback.
All things being equal, though, Prescott is a top-10 quarterback in the league. He now has a bonafide No. 2 receiver after Dallas traded for George Pickens, so he is primed for a big year.
ESPN fantasy football analyst Mike Clay does not see it that way. Clay recently predicted the statistics for every NFL team this upcoming season and believes Prescott will finish 12th at the position from a statistical standpoint.
Cowboys QB Dak Prescott already being disrespected before 2025 season
Clay predicts Prescott will throw for 3,846 yards and 24 touchdowns to 12 interceptions with 175 rushing yards and two scores on the ground. That is a fine season on paper, but Cowboys fans have much bigger expectations for QB1 following the Pickens trade.
That projection puts Prescott behind Brock Purdy, Justin Herbert, Baker Mayfield, Bo Nix and Kyler Murray. That is generally the tier of passers Prescott gets lumped in with. What really hurt him in Clay's projection, though, is his lack of rushing upside. Among the top 17 quarterbacks, Prescott tied Joe Burrow for the fewest projected rushing yards.
There is some merit to that, but Prescott is one year removed from leading the league with 36 touchdowns passes. That was four more than the next-closest QB (Jordan Love). He also finished third with 4,516 passing yards. It would not surprise at all if Dak flirts with those numbers again this year.
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It is almost poetic that Clay slighted Prescott after Purdy signed a mammoth $265 million extension with the 49ers that comes with $181 million in guarantees and a $53 million annual average value.
The Prescott-Purdy debate is one of the most polarizing in the game. While Purdy has had more playoff success, he also has Kyle Shanahan calling plays and future Hall of Famer Christian McCaffrey as his running back. To say nothing of the 49ers' defense. It is one of the most QB-friendly systems in the NFL. Prescott has not had that same luxury.
It is no secret that Prescott did not perform well last year, but neither did Purdy and San Francisco traded Deebo Samuel this offseason, has Brandon Aiyuk coming off a torn ACL and McCaffrey's body has seemingly started to betray him.
The Cowboys, meanwhile, now have a top-tier WR duo in Pickens and CeeDee Lamb. It does not make any sense that Clay expects Purdy to have the better season.
Let the annual Prescott offseason slander commence.