It's a story Dallas Cowboys fans know all too well. Because of the star on his helmet, Dak Prescott is one of the most polarizing quarterbacks in the NFL. Most fans look past his successes and his failures are placed under a microscope, but not all of the hate he gets is warranted.
The disrespect has been constant ever since he entered the league. A fourth-round pick in 2016, Prescott was forced to step in for Tony Romo as a rookie and has defied the odds ever since. Not only did he win Offensive Rookie of the Year, he later developed into one of best quarterbacks in the NFL.
The 32-year-old has since become a four-time Pro Bowler. For a Day 3 draft pick, you have to refer to Dak as one of the biggest late-round success stories in recent memory. But even when he gets commended for his NFL success, it still sounds like fans are besmirching his accomplishments.
Dallas Cowboys QB Dak Prescott received the ultimate backhanded compliment
Even the compliments of Prescott and the Cowboys sound like insults. While ranking the most valuable non-first round picks since 2016, PFF's Bradley Locker ranked Prescott fourth behind two Dallas rivals in Brock Purdy (No. 1) and Jordan Mailata (No. 2) which is beyond disrespectful to Dak.
"The lack of playoff success is a detractor," Locker wrote. "But the Cowboys’ ability to turn Prescott into the team’s starter for over a decade is a success story in and of itself. Factor in how well he’s played, and it renders him one of the best late-round picks in recent memory."
Purdy gets all the love for his story as Mr. Irrelevant, but he definitely isn't more talented than the Mississippi State product. The only reason he's become what he did is because he's in the pefect situation under Kyle Shanahan and is surrounded by a supporting cast of elite weapons.
As for Mailata, that one should piss Cowboys fans off more. He's a stud at left tackle for the Eagles, but that's not more valuable than finding your franchise quarterback in the fourth round of the NFL Draft. He's another one who's legacy is being propped up by developing with a Super Bowl champion.
In less than 150 starts, Prescott has over 35,000 career passing yards. He's only 10 years into his career. He can very well play for another 6-8 years and pad a potential Hall of Fame resume. And the fact that he even has one of those as a fourth-round pick speaks volumes. And his teammates love him.
Cowboys fans should be tired of the Dak hate. Crediting his impact before using his lack of playoff success against him is why the Dak Prescott discourse is broken.
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