Despite four Pro Bowls and record-setting contracts, the Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott remains a polarizing figure due to his lack of playoff success. However, one NFL analyst believes the franchise QB’s impact on the team has often been overlooked. 

NFL Insider Bradley Locker of Pro Football Focus delivered a blunt assessment of the veteran signal-caller on May 29, as one of the NFL’s best non-first-round picks since 2016.

“Prescott is somewhat of a polarizing figure among NFL fans, but the simple reality is that he’s become a stabilizing franchise quarterback despite being a fourth-round selection,” Locker wrote. 

Prescott was a fourth-round pick (No. 135 overall) in the 2016 NFL draft by the Cowboys. He was expected to develop behind QB Tony Romo after his career with the Mississippi State Bulldogs.

Before his NFL rise, Prescott's college pedigree was excellent as well. He finished third in Southeastern Conference history in total yards and fourth in total touchdowns, holding 38 Mississippi State school records.

“Across his 10 career seasons, Prescott has netted six finishes with at least an 80.0-plus overall PFF grade,” Locker wrote. “On top of that, the Mississippi State product ranks sixth in PFF WAR since his debut, and his 236 big-time throws are the seventh-most.”

Over a decade, Prescott has compiled elite volume: 35,989 yards and 243 TDs and 92 interceptions, numbers that rank him among franchise greats.

Despite his elite production, Prescott has faced criticism for the Cowboys' lack of postseason success, having won just two playoff games while compiling a 2-5 playoff record in his career.  

“Sure, 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."

He led the NFL in completions during the 2025 season, finishing with 404 completions on 600 attempts for 4,552 yards, 30 touchdowns, and ten interceptions in 2025, earning his fourth Pro Bowl nod.

Regardless of where he ranks among the league's elite quarterbacks, Prescott's journey has already cemented his place among the best late-round selections in recent league history.

Prescott Believes Postseason Berth Is The Bare Minimum

According to Tommy Yarrish of the Dallas Cowboys.com, Prescott views 'reaching the postseason as the bare minimum'.

"It sucks," Prescott said, per Yarrish. "Definitely. But we're pushing. That's our goal, that's a minimum. When you have a team like this, and they've done everything they have in the offseason, obviously, we've got to push and get better on offense, but when we know we're already improving on defense, that's the minimum. That's everybody's goal in here."

Prescott even made a vow to get defensive tackle Quinnen Williams to the playoffs after Williams reflected on his seven-season tenure in the league without a postseason appearance.

As Prescott enters his 11th training camp next month in Oxnard, returning to the playoffs is merely the starting point, with the Cowboys' sights firmly set on competing for a Super Bowl in 2026.

Do you think the Cowboys would get to the playoffs this season?

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Written by

Archana Ramakrishnan

Edited by

Zaid Quraishi