Dak Prescott and Carson Wentz will be inextricably linked for the duration of their NFL careers, whether they and their respective fanbases like it or not. For richer or poorer. In sickness and in health. In deep playoff runs and terrible midseason slumps. ‘Til retirement do us part. Prescott-versus-Wentz is this generation’s Coke-or-Pepsi.
It’s natural to pit the two quarterbacks against one another head-to-head; they were drafted the same year- by bitter division rivals, no less- and handed the starter’s reins as rookies. And while one was drafted higher, has more impressive physical attributes, and owns a Super Bowl ring… the other has been on the field for every game of his tenure, has shown more dramatic improvement as a pro, and owns better statistics in nearly every meaningful category.
No matter how passionately you state your case, the other side has a valid argument of their own. It’s an evergreen debate but that didn’t stop Benjamin Solak from trying. The senior draft analyst from The Draft Network also happens to be the deputy editor of the Eagles blog Bleeding Green Nation, and he took it upon himself to step away from his personal fandom to do a comprehensive deep dive into the two rival passers in an attempt to answer the ultimate question: which quarterback is better?
Dove in on Dak v. Wentz and flipped my opinion on who's best as a result https://t.co/2Ooyfcfjru
— Benjamin Solak (@BenjaminSolak) May 25, 2020
It’s an exhaustive and intelligent breakdown that covers everything from the two players’ pocket management skills to their accuracy, arm strength, and anticipation. And for each, Solak provides a cut-up of game tape to highlight the argument.
As a Dallas fan, it’s easy to read portions of the piece and feel vindicated, seeing a well-established member of the Eagles media cast Prescott in such a glowing light. For example, the Mississippi State product is praised for his superior pocket presence: “Prescott is safer with the football largely because he’s able to get out of dangerous situations with more consistency,” Solak writes. “Prescott has a big edge over Wentz in generating big plays and avoiding negative plays, because of his ability to manage a typical NFL pocket.”
It must be difficult for Solak’s regular readers to stomach some of the superlatives and praise he reserves for No. 4 (as evidenced in the comment section – warning your skin will corrode), causing them to possibly wonder where the writer’s loyalty lies.
But by the same token, there are sections where Wentz is clearly the hero.
In dissecting what happens when each passer has to improvise briefly and then make a throw late: “Consider how the hitches Prescott must take limit his ability to make these throws on time and accurately. This is an issue that, again, Prescott has done admirably well to address, but still remains on his film. That is in direct contrast with Wentz, who has a government-registered rocket launcher attached to his right shoulder, and is accordingly capable of making such throws late.”
The Cowboys faithful are sure to roll their eyes as they scroll through such passages, suspecting that the writer is obviously predisposed to favor No. 11 and mentally starting to compile a list of “yeah-buts” for the comment section.
In the end, though, Solak confesses that it’s just too difficult to definitively state which quarterback is better:
“I really don’t know. I hate to disappoint you, but I really don’t. I thought Dak was better by a hair before I started, and now that I’m done, I think Wentz might be better by a hair. Perhaps if I watched another 20 games, I’d flip back the other way.”
Solak goes on to sum up what, in particular, each of the pair happens to be better at:
“Dak Prescott is a quality starting quarterback in the NFL with a high-ceiling/high-floor projection. Prescott wins with a quick release, great pre-snap recognition, and excellent movement skills to manage the pocket and minimize pressure while presenting a threat to break and run at any time. Prescott’s best throws are vertical throws that are either layered between zones or placed against man coverage to maximize a strong downfield receiving corps. The Cowboys have done well to build a strong group of route runners around Prescott to account for his unwillingness to throw to covered receivers with anticipation, and utilize the play-action game well to create vertical stretches that Prescott can read without resetting his feet, which is often the source of his inaccuracy. Prescott may never be a pinpoint passer, but he’s a clear long-term starter with admirable intangible traits.
“Carson Wentz is a quality starting quarterback in the NFL with a high-ceiling/low-floor projection due to his injury history. Wentz is an elite quarterback in terms of ball velocity, which allows him to make a wide variety of throws both in rhythm and on the move. Wentz’s ability to create explosive plays by throwing deep or into tight windows was capped last season by a milquetoast offense and poor receiving options, and he showed a concerning lack of poise and pocket presence when working under such conditions. The Eagles have failed to pair Wentz with the premier deep speed and strong catchers that a passer of his velocity and aggressiveness warrants, and have accordingly shoved him into the mold of a nickel-and-dime rhythm passer that he can fill, though it doesn’t maximize his tools. Wentz’s pre-snap determination and unwillingness to give up on a play will always lead to painful moments, but the trade-off is truly elite flashes in scramble drills and under pressure. A healthy Wentz provides a high floor to his offense, but more is needed around him for his development to continue in a positive direction.”
For fans of both the Cowboys and Eagles, Prescott-versus-Wentz will continue to be a barroom debate that only fuels the current chapter of one of the best rivalries in football. This exquisite deep dive is a must read for fans of either team, or good football in general.
It’s a rivalry that’s set to be renewed on November 1 in Philadelphia and then again with Round 2, scheduled for two days after Christmas in Arlington.
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