How Divine Timing Led the Cowboys to Draft Dak Prescott at No. 135

The Rollercoaster of the 2016 NFL Draft

On April 30, 2016, Dak Prescott found himself at the crossroads of frustration and hope. Surrounded by family and friends, the spirited quarterback from Mississippi State had watched quarterbacks he believed he was superior to slip away in the early rounds of the NFL Draft. Despite leading his team to unprecedented heights, the anticipation of being selected turned into dread as he remained on the board.

Prescott's Unraveled Hopes

When the Arizona Cardinals passed on him, he felt his dreams slipping further away. Growing up a Cowboys fan in Haughton, Louisiana, Prescott had hoped his childhood team would recognize his talent. As pick after pick rolled by, anger simmered within him.

"I was mad as hell. Like mad at everybody," Prescott recalled. "What's crazy, I have an aunt, she wore a Cowboy T-shirt that day. And I'm like, 'What the f--- are you doing?'"

Fortuitous Circumstances

Fast forward to today, and Prescott stands tall as the NFL's highest-paid player, boasting a contract worth $60 million per year. The question lingers: how did the Cowboys secure their franchise quarterback with a fourth-round pick, especially when he wasn't even their first choice?

After a disastrous 4-12 season, the Cowboys held the No. 4 pick in 2016. Their strategy was clear: they needed a quarterback. In 2016, the team evaluated several quarterbacks, including Jared Goff and Carson Wentz, both highly touted candidates that would soon dominate NFL conversations.

The Senior Bowl Revelation

Ironically, Prescott's moment of glory arrived in the Senior Bowl, where he was named MVP. The Cowboys were set to coach the game, which played a pivotal role in their evaluation of quarterback skills. Despite not being the front-runner, Prescott's strong showing piqued their interest.

With the Cowboys committed to drafting a quarterback, their lofty expectations came crashing down when they realized Goff and Wentz were beyond their reach. After selecting Ezekiel Elliott, their focus shifted back to the quarterback landscape, yet Prescott remained on the board.

The Tipping Point

"I remember thinking, 'Someone else is going to take him', with every pick and we've got no chance," reflected former Cowboys offensive coordinator Scott Linehan. As every name was called, anticipation grew, yet Prescott's name remained unspoken.

Pivotal Draft Decisions

The draft process is fraught with uncertainty, and the decision to select Prescott at No. 135 was anything but a sure thing. Dallas also had their eyes on Connor Cook and several others, yet each of their prospects fell through for various reasons.

Contrary to popular belief, the ultimate decision to select Prescott stemmed from a unique combination of chance and acute awareness. Had some of the teams ahead of the Cowboys made different choices, we might remember Prescott's name differently today.

The Twists of Fate

"There was an exhale as the Cowboys were on the clock at No. 135," the story goes. As the franchise selected him, they unknowingly secured one of the greatest quarterbacks in their history. Upon his selection, Prescott expressed his evident frustration regarding his draft position, yet the opportunity provided by the Cowboys filled him with renewed determination.

Transformation and Triumph

Quickly, Prescott proved doubters wrong. His induction as a starter came unexpectedly when injuries took out Tony Romo and Kellen Moore. Capitalizing on this unforeseen chance, Prescott led the Cowboys to a 13-3 record in his rookie season and was awarded NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors.

A Legacy in the Making

The journey from a fourth-round pick with a chip on his shoulder to just a few wins away from a Super Bowl has been epic and emblematic of Prescott's character. The tattoo on his wrist reading "135" is a daily reminder of where he started—an ever-present motivator fueling his resolve.

Conclusion

The Cowboys' successful pick of Dak Prescott serves as a reminder of how crucial a moment can change an athlete's destiny. His story embodies perseverance, talent, and the perfect storm of circumstance. In hindsight, divine intervention might very well have played a role when it comes to drafting a player who has yet to realize his full potential.