The Dallas Cowboys are synonymous with drama, glitz, and high-stakes football. But back in the spring of 2016, the narrative was less about Super Bowls and more about a desperate search for a backup. Tony Romo’s collarbone was made of glass at that point, and the front office knew they needed a "project" player. That project turned out to be Rayne Dakota Prescott.
Most fans remember Dak as an instant star, but the reality of when did Dak Prescott get drafted is a story of a guy who almost didn't go to Dallas at all.
It happened on Saturday, April 30, 2016. It was the third and final day of the NFL Draft. While the big names like Jared Goff and Carson Wentz were long gone—sipping champagne as the top two picks—Dak was sitting in a conference room at a resort in Toledo Bend, Louisiana, surrounded by family, watching the phone and waiting. And waiting.
The Day Everything Changed in Dallas
By the time the fourth round rolled around, the Cowboys were sweating. They had famously tried to trade up for Paxton Lynch (who went to Denver) and were reportedly eyeing Connor Cook (who went to Oakland). It’s kind of wild to think about now, but Dak Prescott was essentially the Cowboys’ "Plan C."
When the phone finally buzzed with a Dallas area code, it was the 135th overall pick.
The Cowboys used a compensatory selection to grab the Mississippi State standout. Honestly, at the time, nobody thought he’d be the guy. He was a fourth-rounder. In the NFL, fourth-rounders are supposed to be special teams contributors or depth chart bodies. They aren't supposed to retire a franchise legend like Romo by October.
Seven Quarterbacks Who Went Before Dak
If you want to feel old or just appreciate the unpredictability of the draft, look at the names called before Prescott. Seven QBs were taken while Dak sat by the phone.
- Jared Goff (No. 1 overall)
- Carson Wentz (No. 2 overall)
- Paxton Lynch (No. 26 overall)
- Christian Hackenberg (No. 51 overall)
- Jacoby Brissett (No. 91 overall)
- Cody Kessler (No. 93 overall)
- Connor Cook (No. 100 overall)
Some of those guys had decent careers. Others? Well, Paxton Lynch is a name that still gives Broncos fans nightmares. Hackenberg never even threw a pass in a regular-season game. Meanwhile, the 135th pick was busy setting the world on fire.
Why the Wait? The SEC Legend vs. Draft Evaluators
Dak wasn't a nobody. At Mississippi State, he was a titan. He held 38 school records. He led the Bulldogs to their first-ever No. 1 ranking in 2014. He was a two-time All-SEC first-team selection. So why did he slide?
Evaluators were worried about his "pro-style" transition. At MSU, he ran a lot. He was a dual-threat guy in a system that some scouts thought wouldn't translate to the complex defenses of the NFL. Plus, there was an off-field incident—a DUI arrest just weeks before the draft. Even though he was later found not guilty, the "character concern" label is a hard thing to shake in the draft room.
He took it on the chin. During his interviews, he told teams it was a mistake and it wouldn't happen again. The Cowboys believed him. Or at least, they believed in him more than they believed in the other remaining options.
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From No. 135 to Offensive Rookie of the Year
The plan was simple: Dak would sit, learn from Romo, and maybe play in 2018 or 2019.
Football has a funny way of ripping up plans. Kellen Moore broke his ankle in training camp. Then, the big one happened. Tony Romo went down with a back injury in a preseason game against Seattle. Suddenly, the kid from Haughton, Louisiana, was the starter.
He didn't just play; he dominated.
- 13-3 Record: He tied the record for most wins by a rookie QB.
- 104.9 Passer Rating: The highest ever for a rookie at the time.
- 23 TDs to 4 INTs: Efficiency that made veterans look like amateurs.
By the time Romo was healthy enough to return, the job was gone. Dak had effectively ended an era before his first season was even over.
The Long-Term Impact of the 2016 Class
When you look back at when did Dak Prescott get drafted, you're looking at one of the biggest "bargains" in the history of the Dallas Cowboys. He signed a four-year rookie deal worth about $2.7 million. To put that in perspective, he was making a base salary of roughly $540,000 in his first year while playing like an MVP candidate.
Fast forward to 2024 and 2025, and Dak has become the highest-paid player in league history at various points, signing deals worth hundreds of millions. It's a massive jump from that fourth-round compensatory pick.
Actionable Insights for Football Fans
If you're tracking draft history or trying to understand how teams evaluate talent, here is what the Dak Prescott story teaches us:
- Draft Position Isn't Destiny: Being a "day three" pick (Rounds 4-7) doesn't mean your ceiling is low. It just means you have a smaller margin for error.
- System Fit Matters: Dak went to a team with a dominant offensive line and a star running back (Ezekiel Elliott, taken 4th overall in that same draft). That environment allowed him to thrive immediately.
- The "Backup" Mentality: Dak entered camp aiming to "outwork everyone," even as a fourth-stringer. That preparation is why he was ready when Romo went down.
To truly understand Dak's career, you have to appreciate the tension of that Saturday in April 2016. He wasn't the chosen one. He was the one who was left, and he's been playing like he has something to prove ever since.
If you're looking to dive deeper into how draft values change over time, start by comparing the career win-loss records of the 2016 QB class. You'll find that while Goff and Wentz had their moments, Prescott has maintained a level of statistical consistency—especially in completion percentage—that few in that group can touch. Next time the draft rolls around, pay attention to those compensatory picks in the fourth round. You never know when the next franchise icon is waiting for his phone to ring.