DALLAS COWBOYS’ MOST UNDERRATED PLAYER: A BREAKOUT SEASON LOOMS FOR DAK PRESCOTT

The Dallas Cowboys may have been watching the Super Bowl from home this year, like every other team that didn’t make it, but they aren’t staying idle. With quarterback Dak Prescott and a few key players involved in Pro Bowl week festivities in San Francisco, the Cowboys are already focusing on the 2026-27 season. After another year of postseason disappointment, it’s time to evaluate what needs to be done to make sure the Cowboys are a Super Bowl contender next year.

One topic that has recently been a hot discussion point was revealed in a fan survey published by The Athletic. With 1,314 fan responses, one question in particular stood out: “Which player is the Cowboys’ most underrated?” The answer was clear, and it’s a player who continues to fly under the radar despite being one of the team’s most important assets.

Dak Prescott: Consistently the Most Underrated Cowboy

The results were in, and for the second consecutive year, Dak Prescott has been voted as the most underrated player on the Cowboys roster. Prescott, despite being the starting quarterback and a Pro Bowl participant, received 140 write-in votes in the survey, beating out Ryan Flournoy, who came in second with 111 votes.

This isn’t the first time Prescott has earned this recognition. In last year’s survey, he also received the most votes for the most underrated player on the Cowboys, edging out cornerback Kelvin Bland by a slim margin. Jon Machota, the NFL analyst behind the survey, points out that despite Prescott’s success, the perception of him remains undervalued.

As Machota writes, “Prescott was again at the top among the 914 responses this time,” showcasing that **Cowboys fans and analysts alike still view Prescott as one of the league’s top quarterbacks, but perhaps not getting the widespread recognition he deserves.

A Year of Opportunity for Ryan Flournoy

Ryan Flournoy also saw a significant boost in recognition this year, coming in as the second-most underrated player behind Prescott. Flournoy, who is gearing up for a breakout season, has become one of the most exciting young talents on the Cowboys roster. Despite being overshadowed by bigger names in the past, Flournoy’s impressive performances in limited roles have turned heads, earning him the respect of both fans and analysts.

However, Prescott’s consistency as the team’s leader continues to earn him the “underrated” tag. Despite the questions surrounding the Cowboys’ offensive line and their overall game plan in recent seasons, Prescott’s play remains at an elite level. His leadership, ability to perform under pressure, and high football IQ keep him at the forefront of the Cowboys’ success, even if he doesn’t always receive the same national recognition as other top quarterbacks.

Prescott’s Future: Can He Maintain His High Level of Play?

As Prescott enters his 32nd year, health is the primary concern. Machota notes, “Health is the only real question here.” If Prescott can stay healthy and continue to perform at a high level, there’s a strong belief that he could remain the Cowboys’ quarterback well into his late 30s. The 2025 season saw some struggles with injuries that hindered his performance, but if he’s able to stay healthy next year, he could return to the elite form that has made him one of the league’s top quarterbacks.

That said, if injuries continue to mount for Prescott, his timeline as the Cowboys’ franchise QB could shift, making the 2026-27 season crucial for his future. Regardless, the Cowboys’ front office seems committed to Prescott’s leadership, and there is still a strong sense of confidence in his ability to lead the team forward.

Cowboys’ 2026 Power Ranking: A Path to Success?

As for the Dallas Cowboys’ position in the league, it’s still unclear where they’ll land in the upcoming season. NFL analysts have already begun to throw their weight behind predictions for the 2026-27 season, and Gary Davenport of Bleacher Report has the Cowboys ranked No. 18 in his early power rankings. While this ranking may seem low for a team with 14 wins in the 2025 season, Davenport notes that the Cowboys have several key areas to address, particularly on defense and in free agency.

“The Cowboys have a lot to sort out this offseason if they hope to return to relevance in 2026,” Davenport writes. Replacing defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus with Christian Parker is a good start, but there’s still a lot of work to be done. The Cowboys need to clear cap space, figure out how to re-sign or replace key players like George Pickens and Javonte Williams, and bolster their defensive unit.

While Davenport notes that the Cowboys are still a few years away from challenging the NFC’s elite teams, he does believe they have the potential to move closer to that goal with the right offseason moves.

Conclusion: Can the Cowboys Build on Their Success?

The Dallas Cowboys are at a crossroads. Dak Prescott, despite being the most underrated player on the team, is still the backbone of the Cowboys’ success. With Ryan Flournoy emerging as a key piece for the future, the Cowboys have the potential to continue improving in 2026. However, they must address key weaknesses, including salary cap issues, defensive depth, and figuring out how to make the most of their talent on offense.

The 2026-27 season presents a critical opportunity for the Dallas Cowboys to either solidify themselves as contenders or fall back into mediocrity. With Prescott’s leadership and a solid core of players, they could take another step toward Super Bowl contention. For Cowboys fans, the hope remains that their team can build off of their strong 2025 season and make the necessary moves this offseason to be competitive once again.