At what point in a dynasty format do you select Dak Prescott before the likes of Jared Goff and Carson Wentz? The way Prescott has been ripping it up in the preseason, you’ve got to think about it.
Goff, Wentz and the other first-rounder (Paxton Lynch) look just ho-hum. Maybe they develop into something someday. Maybe. But none of those guys look ready to play right now.
Prescott isn’t perfect; on back-to-back plays against the Dolphins, he had an interception nullified by a roughing call and an interception dropped. But his passer rating is officially perfect – 158.3 – which is a lot better than any notable rookie quarterback of the last 10 years.
Prescott is a good runner. That will help his transition to the NFL, and rushing production tends to be richly rewarded in fantasy leagues. He’s also in an ideal situation. The Cowboys have a great offensive line, ample receiving weapons, and a 36-year-old quarterback who’s had problems staying healthy.
Weird to say, but the Cowboys in the fourth round may have landed a quarterback who’s simply better than the three who were selected in round one.
Prescott has put up better preseason numbers than any of the quarterbacks selected in the first round in the last 10 years. (This chart also includes some notable players selected in the second and third rounds.)
| ROOKIE QUARTERBACKS IN THE PRESEASON (2006-2016) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Player | Pct | Yards | TD | Int | Rate |
| 2016 | Dak Prescott, Dall. (4th) | 82% | 338 | 4 | 0 | 158.3 |
| 2013 | EJ Manuel, Buff. | 79% | 199 | 2 | 0 | 112.0 |
| 2014 | Teddy Bridgewater, Minn. | 61% | 283 | 5 | 0 | 111.2 |
| 2009 | Mark Sanchez, NYJ | 65% | 347 | 3 | 1 | 111.0 |
| 2012 | Russell Wilson, Sea. (3rd) | 64% | 536 | 5 | 1 | 110.3 |
| 2014 | Blake Bortles, Jac. | 63% | 521 | 2 | 0 | 110.0 |
| 2006 | Jay Cutler, Den. | 65% | 561 | 4 | 1 | 108.3 |
| 2014 | Derek Carr, Oak. (2nd) | 67% | 326 | 4 | 1 | 108.2 |
| 2012 | Robert Griffin III, Wash. | 65% | 193 | 2 | 0 | 103.3 |
| 2015 | Marcus Mariota, Tenn. | 70% | 326 | 1 | 1 | 102.9 |
| 2007 | Brady Quinn, Clev. | 64% | 300 | 3 | 1 | 96.5 |
| 2010 | Sam Bradford, St.L. | 60% | 338 | 3 | 0 | 95.9 |
| 2006 | Matt Leinart, Ariz. | 62% | 314 | 2 | 0 | 95.5 |
| 2012 | Andrew Luck, Ind. | 62% | 522 | 3 | 2 | 89.3 |
| 2011 | Jake Locker, Tenn. | 65% | 316 | 2 | 1 | 88.5 |
| 2010 | Tim Tebow, Den. | 64% | 344 | 2 | 2 | 88.0 |
| 2016 | Paxton Lynch, Den. | 64% | 187 | 2 | 1 | 86.3 |
| 2011 | Christian Ponder, Minn. | 55% | 290 | 1 | 0 | 79.5 |
| 2014 | Johnny Manziel, Clev. | 51% | 296 | 2 | 0 | 76.7 |
| 2008 | Matt Ryan, Atl. | 58% | 294 | 2 | 1 | 75.1 |
| 2016 | Jared Goff, L.A. | 57% | 120 | 1 | 1 | 69.5 |
| 2006 | Vince Young, Tenn. | 51% | 357 | 1 | 1 | 69.1 |
| 2008 | Joe Flacco, Balt. | 52% | 284 | 1 | 0 | 68.3 |
| 2012 | Ryan Tannehill, Mia. | 53% | 414 | 1 | 1 | 66.9 |
| 2011 | Cam Newton, Car. | 42% | 300 | 1 | 0 | 64.9 |
| 2011 | Blaine Gabbert, Jac. | 50% | 365 | 1 | 1 | 64.3 |
| 2011 | Andy Dalton, Cin. (2nd) | 60% | 328 | 1 | 3 | 59.6 |
| 2013 | Geno Smith, NYJ (2nd) | 60% | 246 | 1 | 3 | 54.6 |
| 2009 | Matthew Stafford, Det. | 55% | 389 | 1 | 4 | 52.8 |
| 2015 | Jameis Winston, T.B. | 49% | 311 | 0 | 2 | 52.7 |
| 2016 | Carson Wentz, Phil. | 50% | 89 | 0 | 1 | 41.8 |
| 2009 | Josh Freeman, T.B. | 45% | 238 | 1 | 3 | 41.0 |
| 2011 | Colin Kaepernick, S.F. (2nd) | 48% | 257 | 0 | 5 | 23.9 |
| 2007 | JaMarcus Russell, Oak. | -- | 0 | 0 | 0 | --- |
—Ian Allan