For the fourth straight year ESPN conducted their quarterback tier rankings based on votes from a panel of NFL Insiders. These rankings include five tiers, with one being the best and five being worst.
For example, only five quarterbacks were listed in tier one with the reigning Super Bowl MVP Tom Brady leading the list and Aaron Rodgers, Ben Roethlisberger, Drew Brees, and Matt Ryan following suit.
We wouldn't be talking about this list, however, if it weren't for where the insiders placed Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott. Listed as a tier three quarterback, the insiders believe that Prescott falls somewhere in the middle of the pack. While this alone may not anger you, the fact that both Kirk Cousins and Eli Manning were ranked above him might.
“I feel like he is a high-Tier 3, possibly low-Tier 2 guy, but I feel like a lot of the reason he was so good is because of everything around him — the line, the running back, the weapons, the coordinator,” a defensive coach said. Twenty-four of the 50 voters knew this and still put Prescott in the second tier.”
Anyone who has read the film pieces I've written on Dak Prescott in the past knows exactly how I feel about statements such as these. Sure, the conditions of the Cowboys offense are conducive to success, but without the brilliance of Dak Prescott last season those conditions wouldn't have mattered.
The 2015 Cowboys featured a fantastic offensive line and a 1,000 yard rusher, but due to horrid quarterback play it was irrelevant. To belittle the play of Prescott due to those around him is silly in my opinion.
Regardless, another good season from Prescott in 2017 could continue to turn heads and leap him into the second tier next offseason. In my mind, he is already the best quarterback in the NFC East, right in front of Kirk Cousins.
