Behind The Numbers: The Market Value of Dak Prescott

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With just a few months until the start of the 2019-20 NFL campaign, there have been plenty of headlines to highlight the offseason. As always, the Dallas Cowboys have become the center of the spotlight.

With a variety of players scheduled to hit free agency in the near future, the front office has done their best in order to prioritize select contract extensions. Although Ezekiel Elliot and Amari Cooper are viewed as studs at their respective positions, Dak Prescott has become the most talked-about commodity this summer. Here are where the number stand:

14

In terms of players within their first three seasons, Dak Prescott has totaled 14 fourth quarter comebacks/game-winning drives. That number is the most in NFL history among players in their first three years. During these situations, Prescott has a TD:INT ratio of over 4:1. In 9 of those 14 games, the Cowboys quarterback has posted a QBR of 100+.

It’s not difficult to argue that Prescott has a clutch gene. For those who want to point out that he may be a product of his offensive line, keep in mind that Dallas’ protection was ranked 14th in 2018 by PFF. With that, 5 of Prescott’s comebacks took place during that time.

32

Since entering the league in 2016, Dak Prescott has totaled a starting record of 32-16. During that time, only Tom Brady (35-9) has won more games. In comparison to others around the league, Prescott has produced a better record and individual QBR than names such as Ben Roethlisberger, Russell Wilson, Philip Rivers, and Jared Goff.

While Prescott currently doesn’t hold a 4,000-yard season under his belt, his ability to win as a “game manager” is undeniable. In the year of 2017, regarded as Prescott’s worst season to date, he posted a total QBR of 69.9; 4th in the NFL.

42

Heading into the 2019 campaign, there are 42 other quarterbacks making more than Dak Prescott. While Prescott is under the last year of his rookie contract, he is scheduled to earn roughly $2.1M. This amount sits behind names such as Ryan Fitzpatrick ($5.5M), Tyrod Taylor ($3.5M), and even Nate Sudfeld ($3M).

Obviously rookie contracts are a complicated factor, but we’ve often seen restructured deals take place for those who have earned it. Based on the aforementioned numbers, Prescott seems to fit that category.

128,000,000

Most Cowboys fans know this number, as $128,000,000 represents the new figure for Philadelphia Eagles QB Carson Wentz. While Prescott and Wentz came out of the same draft class, their numbers are shockingly similar.

The Dallas Cowboys have stated that they will pay Dak Prescott “what he deserves”. By looking at the market value for Prescott, he should be making around the $28-33M mark on an annual basis. It sounds steep, but it’s the direction the NFL is heading in.

Prediction contract: Four-year, $130M

Featured Image: CBS Sports