Dallas Cowboys: Top-5 rookie performers of all-time
No. 1 Dallas Cowboys rookie: Dak Prescott
With the 135th pick (4h round) in the 2016 NFL draft, the Dallas Cowboys selected quarterback Dak Prescott out of Mississippi State University. Dak was viewed as a raw talent who would greatly benefit and have time to refine his skill while sitting behind then starter Tony Romo.
Little did Dak or the Cowboys know that an amazing turn of events was about to happen, and Dak would be called upon to lead the team in his rookie season. As noted in an earlier article of mine titled “All Aboard the Dak Bandwagon,” Romo talks about how he felt losing his job to Prescott. Initially, it was due to injury, but Dak’s rookie season made it clear this was now his team.
Outside of Ben Roethlisberger of the Pittsburgh Steelers going 13-0 in his rookie season, Dak had the best rookie season for a quarterback in the league’s history. A 13-3 record, NFC East title, over 3,600 yards passing, 23 TDs to only 4 interceptions, a completion percentage of 67.8%, and a passer rating of 104.9 are some of the mind-blowing numbers this raw talent produced.
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The season didn’t have a storybook ending and came to a close with a heart-wrenching loss to the Green Bay Packers in the Divisional round in the “Dez caught it” game. However, it shouldn’t be lost that he did things no other rookie quarterback had ever done. In the annuls of the Dallas Cowboys, this will be tremendously hard to top.
Like Everson Walls, Dak also wasn’t selected to the All-Pro team. That honor went to Matt Ryan from the Atlanta Falcons and Tom Brady of the New England Patriots. Interestingly enough, those two teams made it to the Super Bowl, with the Patriots pulling out the victory. Regardless, this is my top pick for the greatest rookie season in Cowboys history.
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If linebacker Micah Parson can crack this list, it would mean great things for the Cowboys season. With Dak returning and all signs pointing to an offense that will put up points, having a rookie linebacker make All-Pro could be the missing ingredient to a porous defense and a playoff run.