WHERE ARE THEY NOW? The 7 quarterbacks drafted before Dak Prescott
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Maybe the most surprising storyline of the 2016 NFL season has been the emergence of Dak Prescott. The young quarterback has gone from a third-string rookie taken in the fourth round to the starter on arguably the best team in the NFL, the Dallas Cowboys.
Prescott was not even the Cowboys' first choice in the draft as Jerry Jones twice tried to trade up for other quarterbacks but was unable to get the deals done.
In all, seven quarterbacks were taken in the 2016 NFL Draft before Prescott's name was called with the 135th pick. Here is how those other QBs are doing early in their careers.
Jared Goff, Los Angeles Rams — First round (No. 1 overall)
Christian Petersen/Getty ImagesGames started: 0
Key stats (through 10 weeks): None
Pro Football Focus grade: Not available
Total Quarterback Rating (QBR): Not available
What draft experts said at the time: "Goff took Cal football to a different level, and the Rams hope he does the same in L.A. He's a little bit like Matt Ryan and Joe Flacco, who both started from Day 1. Goff can do the same with the run game and defense the Rams possess." — Mike Mayock of NFL.com.
Where he is now: After not even dressing to start the season, Goff has served as backup to Case Keenum and is yet to throw an NFL regular-season pass. Despite the Rams appearing to be intent on letting Goff sit his entire rookie season, it sounds like ownership has forced Jeff Fisher's hand as Goff will now make his first start in Week 11.
Carson Wentz, Philadelphia Eagles — First round (No. 2 overall)
Ronald Martinez/Getty ImagesGames started: 10
Key stats (through 10 weeks): 65.0% completions (15th in NFL), 9 touchdowns (tied-24th), 5 interceptions (tied-21st), 6.82 yards per attempts (25th)
Pro Football Focus grade: 85.4 (No. 7 overall)
Total Quarterback Rating (QBR): 45.8 (No. 30 overall)
What draft experts said at the time: "Wentz comes with great intangibles and is a naturally accurate thrower. Pairing him with QB guru Doug Pederson would aid Wentz's steep learning curve as he transitions from the FCS." — Todd McShay of ESPN.com.
Where he is now: The Rams traded Sam Bradford just before the season started, elevating Wentz to starter a lot sooner than many expected. He rewarded the Eagles by putting on an impressive display in the first four games with 7 touchdowns and just 1 interception. However, two of those games came against arguably the two worst teams in the NFL in the Browns and the Bears. Wentz has thrown just 2 touchdowns with 4 interceptions in his last five games, but still seems like a star-in-waiting.
Paxton Lynch, Denver Broncos — First round (No. 26 overall)
Brian Blanco/GettyGames started: 1
Key stats (through 10 weeks): 62.7% completions (would rank 21st in NFL if qualified), 2 touchdowns, 1 interceptions, 6.66 yards per attempts (would rank 28th)
Pro Football Focus grade: 48.9 (unranked)
Total Quarterback Rating (QBR): 32.4 (would rank No. 33 overall)
What draft experts said at the time: "Lynch is a lot like Joe Flacco, but is more athletic. Lynch can be special." — Mike Mayock of NFL.com.
Where he is now: Lynch impressed in the preseason, enough to justify the use of a late-first-round pick. While there was a call to make Lynch a starter right away, the Broncos seem content to let Lynch backup Trevor Siemian for the season. Lynch did get rushed into action in Week 4 and started the Broncos' Week 5 loss when Siemian went down with an injury.
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