Mississippi State quarterback Dak Prescott had to wait until Day 3 of the 2016 NFL draft, but he finally heard his name called by the Dallas Cowboys with the 135th overall pick in the fourth round.
The team confirmed the high-profile selection:
Dallas Cowboys @dallascowboysWelcome to Dallas @15_DakP from @HailStateFB #CowboysDraft
Dallas Cowboys @dallascowboysExclusive interview with newest Cowboys' QB @15_DakP #CowboysDraft
To say he's happy about the landing spot might be an understatement, as highlighted by Rob Phillips of the Cowboys' official site:
Rob Phillips @robphillips3Dak Prescott said he's dreamed of being a Cowboys quarterback his whole life.
Bleacher Report's Matt Miller is bullish on the selection based on the QB's progress:
Matt Miller @nfldraftscoutDak Prescott improved greatly the last two years. Needs refined but has athleticism, arm and football IQ. Great value in 4
Adam Schefter of ESPN noted the pick ends a quarterback drought for Dallas in the draft:
Adam Schefter @AdamSchefterDallas drafting Dak Prescott in round 4 is first time Cowboys have drafted a QB in 7 years, since taking Stephen McGee in 4th round in 2009.
NFL on ESPN provided the signal-caller's resume along with remarks from analyst Louis Riddick:
NFL on ESPN @ESPNNFL"Sit him on the bench and let him learn behind Romo. They could have something here. I like the pick."-@LRiddickESPN
Here's the best of the rest:
NFL @NFL"I think he has the ability to be a starting QB down the road." Meet @tonyromo's new understudy. #NFLDraft
Dane Brugler @dpbruglerThe #Cowboys did more work on QB Dak Prescott than any other player this draft process...
Jon Machota @jonmachotaDak Prescott said at the combine that he grew up a Dallas Cowboys fan
FOX Sports: PROcast @PROcast.@HailStateFB's QB @15_DakP is heading to the @DallasCowboys. Congratulations, Dak! #NFLDraft
Gil Brandt @Gil_BrandtLots of comps for Dak Prescott to Tim Tebow, but I think Dak's better prospect out of college. He has chance to eventually replace Romo.
Matt Miller @nfldraftscoutMan...I might be a Cowboys fan this year. Love Dak Prescott here.
Brandon George @DMN_GeorgeI really like the pick of Dak Prescott for Cowboys in this spot in the fourth round. He's a guy who they can develop behind Tony Romo.
Bruce Feldman @BruceFeldmanCFBCowboys draft Dak Perscott from MissState - best player in that school's history. Good spot for him. He can develop behind Romo.
Prescott's game is hardly perfect despite the fact he piled up 3,793 passing yards, 588 rushing yards and 39 total touchdowns as a senior, so it made the most sense for a team that already has an established veteran under center to roll the dice on him.
Since Prescott wound up with a team that has a clear quarterback hierarchy with Tony Romo atop the depth chart, he'll need to sit back and take notes about refining his pocket-passing skills after failing to flash consistency as a dropback gunslinger in Starkville.
Pro Football Focus' John Breitenbach noted some areas where Prescott will need to improve:
He needs to improve his location, in particular, struggling to beat tight coverage at every level of the defense. Prescott can hit open receivers but fails to show the kind of precision to complete tough throws into coverage. The game-manager label might suit Prescott because he fails to stand out in any area.
Prescott's upside is certainly high, but he'll need to soak up the tactical minutiae of NFL offenses and embrace the developmental process for a while before he can truly try to live up to his potential under center for the Cowboys.
