Cowboys QB Dak Prescott Receives Unexpected News on Friday

Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Cowboys QB Dak Prescott Receives Unexpected News on Friday

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Will Chesanek | Last updated Aug 7, 2026 2:16 PM ET

Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys are in the middle of training camp preparing for the 2026 NFL regular season. Team owner, president and general manager Jerry Jones is with the team as it holds its annual training camp at the River Ridge Playing Fields in Oxnard, California.

Brian Schottenheimer is in his second season as head coach, leading the team after a 7-9-1 record last season. Newcomers paved the way for Dallas last year, as former Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams had his first 1,000-yard season, rushing for 1,201 yards and 11 touchdowns. While wide receiver CeeDee Lamb labored through a lingering high ankle sprain in 2025, quarterback Prescott and former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens formed a solid connection.

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4).Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

Pickens received the first All-Pro honor of his career in 2025 as the 25-year-old was third in the league in receiving yards (1,429) and tied for eighth in touchdown catches (nine). Prescott was his typical elite self last season, finishing third in passing yards (4,552), fourth in touchdowns (30) and fifth in QBR (70.2). Now a seasoned veteran preparing for his 11th year in the NFL, the 6-foot-2 quarterback recently received unexpected news.

On Friday, the NFL revealed on the social media platform X that Prescott came in at No. 31 on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2026. The post contains a highlight reel of Prescott from last season with players discussing their admiration for the Louisiana native.

The list is voted on by players in the NFL. Players are not notified of their specific ranking on the list until it is revealed publicly. This is a 48-spot jump from the previous season's list for the Haughton High School graduate and the third-highest ranking on the NFL Top 100 of his career. Prescott's annual ranking is as follows:

2017 - No. 14 overall
2020 - No. 46 overall
2022 - No. 44 overall
2023 - No. 56 overall
2024 - No. 16 overall
2025 - No. 79 overall
2026 - No. 31 overall

"No. 31 on the NFL Top 100 Players," wrote the NFL on X. "Of 2026… @dallascowboys QB Dak Prescott! @NFLFilms"

No. 31 on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2026…@dallascowboys QB Dak Prescott! @NFLFilms pic.twitter.com/WsPAhUr9I4
— NFL (@NFL) August 7, 2026

The NFL has revealed two players daily since June 22 as it unveils the NFL Top 100 Players of 2026. When the top 10 is reached on Aug. 24, one player will be released daily until the No. 1 player is announced on Sept. 4.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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