There’s a reason Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott doesn’t get a lot of love in ESPN’s annual preseason position rankings as voted on by league executives, coaches, and scouts.
It’s mainly because Prescott, by and large, isn’t looked at as a winner.
This year might be different. Prescott finally burst into the Top 10, coming in at No. 6, despite his team missing the playoffs each of the last 2 seasons but orchestrating 1 of the NFL’s top offenses in 2025.
“Prescott was a fixture in the voting, appearing on nearly 75% of ballots with a healthy number of top-five votes,” ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler wrote on July 13. “In fact, a gulf existed between him and the seventh spot on the list. This is long overdue for Prescott, who has mostly been a fringe top-10 QB on these lists … Prescott was plagued by interceptions (15) in 2022 and injuries (nine games missed) in 2024. But in his other recent seasons (2023 and 2025), his production was prolific, with 9,068 passing yards and 66 touchdown throws. His four seasons with 4,000 passing yards and 30 touchdown passes are tied for the sixth most of all time behind Drew Brees, Manning, Brady, Rodgers and Philip Rivers.”
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen took the No. 1 spot for the 1st time in his career.
Prescott was the only quarterback in the NFC East Division to make the Top 10, with Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels and Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, the Super Bowl LIX MVP, both earning honorable mention honors.
Cowboys Problem Isn’t Offense — It’s Defense
The problem for the Cowboys right now isn’t Prescott and the offense. It certainly has been in the past, just not in 2025 or 2026.
In 2025, the Cowboys ranked 30th in the NFL in team defense and 32nd in pass defense — which is why the Cowboys could have up to 7 new starters on defense in 2026.
Dallas started to revamp its defense last season, beginning with a deal at the NFL trade deadline to obtain NFL All-Pro defensive tackle Quinnen Williams from the New York Jets.
This offseason featured even more moves. The Cowboys traded with the Green Bay Packers for edge rusher and former 1st-round pick Rashan Gary, and traded with the San Francisco 49ers for inside linebacker Dee Winters.
The Cowboys used both of their 2026 1st-round picks on defense, with Ohio State safety Caleb Downs (No. 11 overall) and UCF edge rusher Malachi Lawrence (No. 23 overall).
There were also free-agent signings. The Cowboys grabbed a top-notch starter at safety in Jalen Thompson, who they lured away from the Arizona Cardinals with a 3-year, $33 million contract.
Prescott Has High-Powered Offense Already in Place
All of that talk about defense might make you forget exactly what Prescott and the Cowboys have on offense, which includes 3 1st-round picks on the offensive line, including ESPN’s No. 1 interior offensive lineman in its position rankings with NFL All-Pro guard Tyler Smith.
The Cowboys also have arguably the NFL’s elite 1-2 punch at wide receiver with a pair of NFL All-Pros in George Pickens and CeeDee Lamb, along with a Pro Bowl tight end in Jake Ferguson.
Prescott even has an elite running back now — Javonte Williams rushed for over 1,200 yards in 2025 and signed a 3-year, $24 million contract to keep him in place.
Cowboys QB Dak Prescott Receives ‘Long Overdue’ Recognition Among NFL Elite