RSS FeedCowboys’ Dak Prescott is the Most Impactful Quarterback Drafted in 2016
By Chris Malumphy
Fifteen quarterbacks were drafted in 2016 with three taken in the first round including the first two picks. But fourth rounder Dak Prescott, the eighth quarterback selected, will be the first to have immediate impact by starting for the Dallas Cowboys on opening day as the replacement for the injured Tony Romo. Prescott deserves the honor. During the preseason he has far outplayed all of the other 14 quarterbacks drafted earlier this year. His quarterback rating of 137.8 is 40 points greater than his nearest rival. He has thrown the most touchdown passes and has yet to be intercepted. None of the other quarterbacks drafted in 2016 is close to his 78% completion rate, the nearest being Miami's Brandon Doughty at 71%. And Prescott and the Cowboys' receivers have been amassing some significant yardage, 9.1 yards per attempt; the next highest is New England's Jacoby Brissett at 6.9. These are preseason statistics to be sure, but the only other rookie quarterback near a starting spot now is Denver's Paxton Lynch, and he has yet to be given the nod.
The top two picks in the draft, Jared Goff for the relocated Rams and Carson Wentz for the Eagles will be on the bench opening day, neither having excelled during the preseason and with Wentz tending to injured ribs. [Update: the Eagles' trade of Sam Bradford to the Vikings is likely to get Wentz on the playing field sooner than expected.] Paxton Lynch of the Broncos may not get the opening day start, but he is likely to be the main man in Denver very, very soon. The Jets selection of Christian Hackenberg is likely to be as memorable as the selection of fellow Penn Stater Todd Blackledge by the Kansas City Chiefs back in 1983 ahead of Jim Kelly, Tony Eason, Ken O'Brien and a fella named Dan Marino. Jacoby Brisset has done ok in New England, but I believe Bill Belichick already thinks he is set at quarterback. Cody Kessler has done nothing but complete some dinks in Cleveland and has yet to challenge Robert Griffin or even Josh McCown. Connor Cook has played poorly in Oakland. Cardale Jones hasn't shown much accuracy or consistency in Buffalo.
The Chiefs Kevin Hogan has barely gotten on the field for a team with great depth, if somewhat limited talent, at quarterback. [Update: the Chiefs cut Hogan, who thne signed with the Browns.] In Washington, Nate Sudfeld won't be challenging Kurt Cousins or Colt McCoy anytime soon. Jake Rudock has shown enough talent that he could challenge for the backup spot someday. Brandon Allen is probably a year away for challenging for the backup position in Jacksonville. If only Jeff Driskel were better, he might have actually had the chance to challenge for the backup or even starting role in San Francisco which currently has the worst quarterback situation in the NFL. Brandon Doughty, the fifteenth quarterback drafted in 2016, has done well enough that he could hang on as a third stringer with the potential to be a backup in years ahead.
| Preseason Statistics for Quarterbacks Drafted in 2016 | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Rnd | Pick | Plyr | Team | College | Att | C | Pct | Yds | Avg | TD | TD Pct | Int | Int Pct | Sacks | Yds Lost | QB Rating |
| Jared Goff | 1 | 1 | 1 | Rams | California | 49 | 22 | 44.9 | 232 | 4.7 | 2 | 4.1 | 2 | 4.1 | 4 | 29 | 55.8 |
| Carson Wentz | 1 | 2 | 2 | Eagles | North Dakota State | 24 | 12 | 50.0 | 89 | 3.7 | 0 | 0.0 | 1 | 4.2 | 0 | 0 | 41.8 |
| Paxton Lynch | 1 | 26 | 26 | Broncos | Memphis | 68 | 40 | 58.8 | 458 | 6.7 | 4 | 5.9 | 2 | 2.9 | 7 | 26 | 86.5 |
| Christian Hackenberg | 2 | 20 | 51 | Jets | Penn State | 47 | 17 | 36.2 | 159 | 3.4 | 1 | 2.1 | 2 | 4.3 | 1 | 6 | 35.7 |
| Jacoby Brissett | 3 | 29 | 91 | Patriots | North Carolina State | 56 | 38 | 67.9 | 387 | 6.9 | 1 | 1.8 | 0 | 0.0 | 6 | 17 | 93.4 |
| Cody Kessler | 3 | 31 | 93 | Browns | USC | 28 | 19 | 67.9 | 92 | 3.3 | 1 | 3.6 | 0 | 0.0 | 7 | 42 | 84.2 |
| Connor Cook | 4 | 2 | 100 | Raiders | Michigan State | 56 | 31 | 55.4 | 368 | 6.6 | 0 | 0.0 | 3 | 5.4 | 2 | 4 | 53.3 |
| Dak Prescott | 4 | 37 | 135 | Cowboys | Mississippi State | 50 | 39 | 78.0 | 454 | 9.1 | 5 | 10.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 2 | 6 | 137.8 |
| Cardale Jones | 4 | 41 | 139 | Bills | Ohio State | 59 | 29 | 49.2 | 362 | 6.1 | 1 | 1.7 | 2 | 3.4 | 3 | 11 | 60.1 |
| Kevin Hogan | 5 | 25 | 162 | Chiefs | Stanford | 15 | 7 | 46.7 | 36 | 2.4 | 0 | 0.0 | 1 | 6.7 | 0 | 0 | 25.7 |
| Nate Sudfeld | 6 | 12 | 187 | Redskins | Indiana | 53 | 28 | 52.8 | 238 | 4.5 | 3 | 5.7 | 0 | 0.0 | 6 | 42 | 83.7 |
| Jake Rudock | 6 | 16 | 191 | Lions | Michigan | 51 | 30 | 58.8 | 333 | 6.5 | 4 | 7.8 | 1 | 2.0 | 1 | 6 | 96.3 |
| Brandon Allen | 6 | 26 | 201 | Jaguars | Arkansas | 48 | 27 | 56.3 | 302 | 6.3 | 2 | 4.2 | 3 | 6.3 | 3 | 28 | 63.0 |
| Jeff Driskel | 6 | 32 | 207 | 49ers | Louisiana Tech | 31 | 15 | 48.4 | 132 | 4.3 | 0 | 0.0 | 2 | 6.5 | 2 | 13 | 33.3 |
| Brandon Doughty | 7 | 2 | 223 | Dolphins | Western Kentucky | 28 | 20 | 71.4 | 185 | 6.6 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 5 | 38 | 89.1 |
| Competition for Quarterbacks Drafted in 2016 | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Rams | ||||||||||||
| Name | Att | C | Pct | Yds | Avg | TD | TD Pct | Int | Int Pct | Sacks | Yds Lost | QB Rating |
| Sean Mannion | 60 | 39 | 65.0 | 325 | 5.4 | 4 | 6.7 | 1 | 1.7 | 8 | 57 | 94.1 |
| Jared Goff | 49 | 22 | 44.9 | 232 | 4.7 | 2 | 4.1 | 2 | 4.1 | 4 | 29 | 55.8 |
| Case Keenum | 24 | 18 | 75.0 | 188 | 7.8 | 1 | 4.2 | 0 | 0.0 | 1 | 9 | 111.1 |
| Note: Jared Goff may be the future, but the jobs of Case Keenum and Sean Mannion seem safe until Goff can complete more than 45% of his passes. | ||||||||||||
| Philadelphia Eagles | ||||||||||||
| Name | Att | C | Pct | Yds | Avg | TD | TD Pct | Int | Int Pct | Sacks | Yds Lost | QB Rating |
| Chase Daniel | 60 | 37 | 61.7 | 332 | 5.5 | 1 | 1.7 | 2 | 3.3 | 5 | 25 | 68.2 |
| Sam Bradford | 40 | 32 | 80.0 | 285 | 7.1 | 2 | 5.0 | 1 | 2.5 | 2 | 25 | 102.6 |
| Carson Wentz | 24 | 12 | 50.0 | 89 | 3.7 | 0 | 0.0 | 1 | 4.2 | 0 | 0 | 41.8 |
| McLeod Bethel-Thompson | 21 | 16 | 76.2 | 111 | 5.3 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 87.6 |
| Note: Incumbent Sam Bradford is playing well and Carson Wentz's playing time was limited due to injury. | ||||||||||||
| Denver Broncos | ||||||||||||
| Name | Att | C | Pct | Yds | Avg | TD | TD Pct | Int | Int Pct | Sacks | Yds Lost | QB Rating |
| Paxton Lynch | 68 | 40 | 58.8 | 458 | 6.7 | 4 | 5.9 | 2 | 2.9 | 7 | 26 | 86.5 |
| Trevor Siemian | 43 | 27 | 62.8 | 285 | 6.6 | 1 | 2.3 | 2 | 4.7 | 0 | 0 | 70.4 |
| Mark Sanchez | 30 | 20 | 66.7 | 219 | 7.3 | 1 | 3.3 | 1 | 3.3 | 3 | 10 | 85.3 |
| Note: Paxton Lynch is outplaying his competition and the job could be his much sooner than anyone thought. His sack totals are a concern however. | ||||||||||||
| New York Jets | ||||||||||||
| Name | Att | C | Pct | Yds | Avg | TD | TD Pct | Int | Int Pct | Sacks | Yds Lost | QB Rating |
| Bryce Petty | 56 | 32 | 57.1 | 481 | 8.6 | 3 | 5.4 | 1 | 1.8 | 6 | 24 | 95.9 |
| Christian Hackenberg | 47 | 17 | 36.2 | 159 | 3.4 | 1 | 2.1 | 2 | 4.3 | 1 | 6 | 35.7 |
| Geno Smith | 32 | 17 | 53.1 | 140 | 4.4 | 1 | 3.1 | 1 | 3.1 | 0 | 0 | 62.0 |
| Ryan Fitzpatrick | 29 | 16 | 55.2 | 183 | 6.3 | 1 | 3.4 | 0 | 0.0 | 2 | 22 | 85.8 |
| Note: Christian Hackenberg is playing worse than any of the other quarterbacks drafted in 2016. He has no right playing third string ahead of Bryce Petty unless Petty's injury is serious. | ||||||||||||
| New England Patriots | ||||||||||||
| Name | Att | C | Pct | Yds | Avg | TD | TD Pct | Int | Int Pct | Sacks | Yds Lost | QB Rating |
| Jacoby Brissett | 56 | 38 | 67.9 | 387 | 6.9 | 1 | 1.8 | 0 | 0.0 | 6 | 17 | 93.4 |
| Jimmy Garoppolo | 54 | 36 | 66.7 | 406 | 7.5 | 1 | 1.9 | 0 | 0.0 | 3 | 24 | 95.1 |
| Tom Brady | 35 | 19 | 54.3 | 242 | 6.9 | 2 | 5.7 | 1 | 2.9 | 2 | 11 | 83.3 |
| Note: Jacoby Brissett has played fine, but unless their is an injury, he probably won't see the field this year behind Tom Brady and Jimmy Garoppolo. | ||||||||||||
| Cleveland Browns | ||||||||||||
| Name | Att | C | Pct | Yds | Avg | TD | TD Pct | Int | Int Pct | Sacks | Yds Lost | QB Rating |
| Robert Griffin III | 38 | 22 | 57.9 | 313 | 8.2 | 3 | 7.9 | 1 | 2.6 | 6 | 28 | 100.0 |
| Josh McCown | 37 | 19 | 51.4 | 191 | 5.2 | 0 | 0.0 | 1 | 2.7 | 4 | 25 | 55.1 |
| Cody Kessler | 28 | 19 | 67.9 | 92 | 3.3 | 1 | 3.6 | 0 | 0.0 | 7 | 42 | 84.2 |
| Austin Davis | 9 | 4 | 44.4 | 32 | 3.6 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 53.9 |
| Note: Coach Hue Jackson has a lot of faith in Cody Kessler, but it is Robert Griffin's job for now with Josh McCown likely to be the number one backup unless he is traded. Kessler had an excellent completion percentage in the preseason, but only an infinitesimal 3.3 yard average per attempt. | ||||||||||||
| Oakland Raiders | ||||||||||||
| Name | Att | C | Pct | Yds | Avg | TD | TD Pct | Int | Int Pct | Sacks | Yds Lost | QB Rating |
| Connor Cook | 56 | 31 | 55.4 | 368 | 6.6 | 0 | 0.0 | 3 | 5.4 | 2 | 4 | 53.3 |
| Derek Carr | 38 | 24 | 63.2 | 251 | 6.6 | 2 | 5.3 | 1 | 2.6 | 1 | 8 | 88.8 |
| Matt McGloin | 35 | 19 | 54.3 | 151 | 4.3 | 2 | 5.7 | 1 | 2.9 | 0 | 0 | 72.4 |
| Note: Derek Carr's job is not in jeopardy. Connor Cook played poorly in the preseason, but he does get the ball further downfield than backup Matt McGloin. | ||||||||||||
| Dallas Cowboys | ||||||||||||
| Name | Att | C | Pct | Yds | Avg | TD | TD Pct | Int | Int Pct | Sacks | Yds Lost | QB Rating |
| Jameill Showers | 62 | 29 | 46.8 | 318 | 5.1 | 2 | 3.2 | 1 | 1.6 | 5 | 31 | 66.5 |
| Dak Prescott | 50 | 39 | 78.0 | 454 | 9.1 | 5 | 10.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 2 | 6 | 137.8 |
| Tony Romo | 6 | 5 | 83.3 | 60 | 10.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 1 | 1 | 108.3 |
| Note: Dak Prescott has been the rookie quarterback star of the preseason and will start for the Cowboys due to Tony Romo's back injury. | ||||||||||||
| Buffalo Bills | ||||||||||||
| Name | Att | C | Pct | Yds | Avg | TD | TD Pct | Int | Int Pct | Sacks | Yds Lost | QB Rating |
| EJ Manuel | 75 | 40 | 53.3 | 391 | 5.2 | 2 | 2.7 | 1 | 1.3 | 7 | 49 | 71.6 |
| Cardale Jones | 59 | 29 | 49.2 | 362 | 6.1 | 1 | 1.7 | 2 | 3.4 | 3 | 11 | 60.1 |
| Tyrod Taylor | 18 | 11 | 61.1 | 150 | 8.3 | 1 | 5.6 | 0 | 0.0 | 2 | 4 | 106.2 |
| Note: Cardale Jones hasn't done anything to threaten Tyrod Taylor's starting job yet. | ||||||||||||
| Kansas City Chiefs | ||||||||||||
| Name | Att | C | Pct | Yds | Avg | TD | TD Pct | Int | Int Pct | Sacks | Yds Lost | QB Rating |
| Alex Smith | 46 | 32 | 69.6 | 354 | 7.7 | 1 | 2.2 | 0 | 0.0 | 3 | 9 | 99.4 |
| Aaron Murray | 41 | 25 | 61.0 | 273 | 6.7 | 0 | 0.0 | 3 | 7.3 | 4 | 38 | 50.2 |
| Nick Foles | 35 | 24 | 68.6 | 235 | 6.7 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 87.2 |
| Tyler Bray | 26 | 13 | 50.0 | 152 | 5.8 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 68.1 |
| Kevin Hogan | 15 | 7 | 46.7 | 36 | 2.4 | 0 | 0.0 | 1 | 6.7 | 0 | 0 | 25.7 |
| Note: Of all the quarterbacks drafted in 2016, Kevin Hogan has played the least. With vets Alex Smith and Nick Foles in front of him, he can sit back and spend the year in learning mode, if he makes the team or the practice squad. | ||||||||||||
| Washington Redskins | ||||||||||||
| Name | Att | C | Pct | Yds | Avg | TD | TD Pct | Int | Int Pct | Sacks | Yds Lost | QB Rating |
| Nate Sudfeld | 53 | 28 | 52.8 | 238 | 4.5 | 3 | 5.7 | 0 | 0.0 | 6 | 42 | 83.7 |
| Colt McCoy | 37 | 27 | 73.0 | 271 | 7.3 | 2 | 5.4 | 1 | 2.7 | 2 | 11 | 100.2 |
| Kirk Cousins | 28 | 17 | 60.7 | 227 | 8.1 | 3 | 10.7 | 1 | 3.6 | 1 | 10 | 107.3 |
| Note: Nate Sudfeld had three touchdown pass with no interceptions in the preseason, but Kirk Cousins is the entrenched starter in Washington and Colt McCoy has proven to be an excellent backup. | ||||||||||||
| Detroit Lions | ||||||||||||
| Name | Att | C | Pct | Yds | Avg | TD | TD Pct | Int | Int Pct | Sacks | Yds Lost | QB Rating |
| Dan Orlovsky | 56 | 33 | 58.9 | 338 | 6.0 | 1 | 1.8 | 2 | 3.6 | 1 | 6 | 67.4 |
| Jake Rudock | 51 | 30 | 58.8 | 333 | 6.5 | 4 | 7.8 | 1 | 2.0 | 1 | 6 | 96.3 |
| Matthew Stafford | 40 | 26 | 65.0 | 266 | 6.6 | 0 | 0.0 | 1 | 2.5 | 4 | 27 | 73.5 |
| Note: Jake Rudock is no threat to Matt Stafford, but Dan Orlovsky better beware. | ||||||||||||
| Jacksonville Jaguars | ||||||||||||
| Name | Att | C | Pct | Yds | Avg | TD | TD Pct | Int | Int Pct | Sacks | Yds Lost | QB Rating |
| Brandon Allen | 48 | 27 | 56.3 | 302 | 6.3 | 2 | 4.2 | 3 | 6.3 | 3 | 28 | 63.0 |
| Chad Henne | 37 | 19 | 51.4 | 202 | 5.5 | 1 | 2.7 | 2 | 5.4 | 2 | 10 | 54.1 |
| Blake Bortles | 34 | 24 | 70.6 | 242 | 7.1 | 2 | 5.9 | 0 | 0.0 | 1 | 6 | 110.2 |
| Max Wittek | 8 | 1 | 12.5 | 20 | 2.5 | 0 | 0.0 | 1 | 12.5 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| Note: Brandon Allen has played at least as well as, and has possibly outplayed, Chad Henne. But the Jaguars are looking for a breakthrough season and if anything happens to rising star Blake Bortles, Henne is likely to get the first call. By next year, however, Henne may be gone with Allen first in line for the backup position. | ||||||||||||
| San Francisco 49ers | ||||||||||||
| Name | Att | C | Pct | Yds | Avg | TD | TD Pct | Int | Int Pct | Sacks | Yds Lost | QB Rating |
| Jeff Driskel | 31 | 15 | 48.4 | 132 | 4.3 | 0 | 0.0 | 2 | 6.5 | 2 | 13 | 33.3 |
| Christian Ponder | 25 | 16 | 64.0 | 198 | 7.9 | 1 | 4.0 | 1 | 4.0 | 3 | 18 | 85.1 |
| Colin Kaepernick | 24 | 13 | 54.2 | 117 | 4.9 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 67.5 |
| Blaine Gabbert | 22 | 12 | 54.5 | 146 | 6.6 | 1 | 4.5 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 90.3 |
| Thad Lewis | 21 | 12 | 57.1 | 97 | 4.6 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 1 | 7 | 68.9 |
| Note: It is unfortunate that Jeff Driskel is a sixth round talent, and has played like one in the preseason, because the 49ers quarterback situation is so bad that it is making Blaine Gabbert and Christian Ponder look good. Driskel has the worst completion percentage and average yards per attempt of the five quarterbacks vying for the position, including Colin Kaepernick and Thad Lewis. | ||||||||||||
| Miami Dolphins | ||||||||||||
| Name | Att | C | Pct | Yds | Avg | TD | TD Pct | Int | Int Pct | Sacks | Yds Lost | QB Rating |
| Ryan Tannehill | 53 | 34 | 64.2 | 325 | 6.1 | 2 | 3.8 | 1 | 1.9 | 1 | 4 | 85.8 |
| Zac Dysert | 31 | 20 | 64.5 | 202 | 6.5 | 1 | 3.2 | 1 | 3.2 | 0 | 0 | 80.3 |
| Brandon Doughty | 28 | 20 | 71.4 | 185 | 6.6 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 5 | 38 | 89.1 |
| Matt Moore | 15 | 11 | 73.3 | 126 | 8.4 | 1 | 6.7 | 1 | 6.7 | 3 | 17 | 92.6 |
| Note: At this point, Brandon Doughty will not displace Ryan Tennehill or Matt Moore, but he is a challenge to Zac Dysert. Doughty could also stick if the Dolphins decide to move on from Moore as the primary backup. | ||||||||||||
