Dak Prescott is having a season to remember for the Dallas Cowboys. The 10-year vet leads the NFL’s No. 1 rated offense in yards/game. He ranks No. 2 amongst qualifying quarterbacks in PFF grades. Of those with 150 or more snaps, he’s No. 6 in EPA + CPOE composite score. In Total QBR he’s No. 3 and in passing yards from scrimmage, he’s No. 2. If it wasn’t for his team’s pedestrian win-loss record, he’d firmly be in the league MVP conversation.
For all the good categories in which Prescott’s a league leader, there is a category in which he’s among the tops that’s not so good: dropped passes.
Five weeks into the 2025 NFL season and Prescott ranks abnormally high in dropped passes. The nine drops by Cowboys pass catchers is the fourth-most in the league and the expected points lost from drops clocks in at third most in the NFL (nine drops per FTN, eight drops per PFR).
QBs leading the NFL in drops:
14 – Trevor Lawrence
13 – Cam Ward
12 – Joe Flacco
9 – Dak Prescott
8 – Jayden Daniels
8 – Josh Allen
8 – Spencer Rattler
7 – Baker Mayfield
7 – Matthew Stafford
7 – Justin Herbert pic.twitter.com/2nit0emah8— Steven Patton (@PattonAnalytics) October 9, 2025
The good news is Prescott’s top targets, Jake Ferguson, George Pickens, Javonte Williams and Lamb, are not typically prone to drops. The rash of dropped balls early in 2025 is an outlier situation that will very likely correct itself as the season progresses.
If there is any cringeworthy stat that should worry the organization, it’s not drops but rather pass protection. The Cowboys rank just 21st in overall offensive line grade from PFF and that’s buoyed largely by their run blocking prowess. In pure pass protection, Dallas’ three offensive tackles, Nathan Thomas, Tyler Guyton and Terence Steele all rate near the bottom of the league in pass pro grades. Breakdowns on the edge can lead forced passes, quarterback mistakes and/or even quarterback injuries. While the drops appear to be fluke events it’s pass protection that’s become a concerning trait.
The usually sure-handed Cowboys offense has been a little less reliable than in recent seasons. What’s especially odd is CeeDee Lamb, one of the best receivers in the NFL, leads the team with four drops himself. That’s a big number considering Lamb has only seen targets in two games this season.
Offensive line performance in RB rush yards before contact per carry (run blocking) and pressure rate allowed (pass blocking).
Will note that dual-threat QBs like Fields/Lamar/Hurts tend to inflate the pressure rates a bit with their ability/willingness to hold the football pic.twitter.com/RyjcFIq04K
— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) October 7, 2025
The headlines may be focusing on the drops, and by all means the drops are a big deal, but it’s the pass protection that threatens to derail the Cowboys’ season.
