Execs, coaches, scouts rank top NFL quarterbacks for 2026

[TheMarathonContinues]

The third year you are counting as good they were ranked 17th. Prescott has two lines out of ten that ranked lower than 17th. In other words, Prescott has had much better line support than Herbert over his career.

2016	1–2	One of the greatest OLs of the decade. Tyron Smith, Zack Martin, Travis Frederick, Doug Free, Ronald Leary/La'el Collins powered Ezekiel Elliott's rushing title and Dak Prescott's stellar rookie year.
2017	4–8	Still excellent, though injuries and Ezekiel Elliott's suspension hurt the offense.
2018	6–10	Travis Frederick missed the entire season with Guillain-Barré syndrome, causing a noticeable drop.
2019	2–5	Frederick returned and the line rebounded behind Smith, Martin, Collins, and Frederick.
2020	20–30	Massive collapse due to injuries. Tyron Smith, La'el Collins, and Zack Martin all missed significant time.
2021	8–12	Improved, but no longer the dominant force of previous years.
2022	4–8	Tyler Smith emerged immediately at left tackle/guard while Zack Martin remained elite.
2023	6–10	Strong pass protection overall, though run blocking was less dominant than in the peak years.
2024	15–22	Transition year after Tyron Smith's departure. Rookie Tyler Guyton, Cooper Beebe, and injuries made the unit inconsistent.

Overall eras​

• 2016–2017: Elite, arguably the NFL's best offensive line.
• 2018–2019: Still among the league's top groups despite Frederick's illness in 2018.
• 2020: One of the biggest injury-driven declines in the NFL.
• 2021–2023: Good to very good, anchored by Zack Martin and the emergence of Tyler Smith.
• 2024: Middle-of-the-pack while rebuilding around younger players.

A rough average by era:

• 2016–2019: Top 5
• 2020: Bottom 5
• 2021–2023: Around Top 10
• 2024: Around 18th

The Cowboys' line during the Tyron Smith–Travis Frederick–Zack Martin era is still widely regarded as one of the NFL's best offensive line stretches of the past 20 years.

You’re arguing against a point that wasn’t argued. I never said Dak had a worse line than him. I argued Herbert had weapons and said you could argue he has had better weapons between the defenses they had under Staley and some options. I’d take Lamb and Pickens over their options at receiver. I’d take Hampton over Javonte. I’d take their tight ends over our tight ends. He’s throwing to Gasden, Quentin, Allen and McConkey. He’s not throwing to bad football players.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Apparently young tmc hasn't noticed that rabbit holing references have become a bit of a meme here. Arguably his greatest contribution to the forum.

Yeah two posters who think exactly the same. Same two who coincidentally went into a thread about Sophie Cunningham and couldn’t resist bringing up little girls. I’d much rather be known for rabbit holes then little girls but hey maybe you disagree.

 

[Vtwin]

Absolutely I have. I don't believe I have EVER seen anyone insult or treat yourself or any other pro Dak guys like ya'll treat others UNTIL they were responding to those actions.

Once those lines are crossed, everyone has the right to defend themselves & the instigator deserves what they get.

In other words, it's a green light to match his energy.

Right tmc?

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Pointing out your rabbit holing ways is not equal to falling in them just like seeing and avoiding a pile of dog crap is not stepping in it.

We see it, we point at it, we laugh at it.

Now you’re back peddling. You’ve admitted to falling down there lol. Now you’re laughing at it. Mmmkay…..

 

[GINeric]

So you wont say “Dak led the Cowboys to a SB victory”?

Just stop it

Stop what? Dak or no other quarterback in history has ever won a Superbowl by themselves and never will.

I have no problem with people saying a quarterback "led" the team to a Superbowl. I only have a problem when people say, this or that quarterback won a Superbowl, won a playoff game, his record is this or that.....

This isn't boxing or golf. No quarterback is winning anything without the help of his team and coaching staff.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

lol...ah, so you admit you like to rabbit hole people, huh? It's about time you admitted that, however, it's a well know fact that that is what you do...all...the...time. Now, go read that Bible!

Yep. You’ve caught me red handed. I would’ve gotten away with it too if it wasn’t for those meddling geezers…..

 

[5Stars]

Yeah two posters who think exactly the same. Same two who coincidentally went into a thread about Sophie Cunningham and couldn’t resist bringing up little girls. I’d much rather be known for rabbit holes then little girls but hey maybe you disagree.

Haven't you figured it out yet? Him and I are your famous "burner accounts". We tricked you. lmao

 

[GINeric]

Yeah, I do admit that Dak played some serious ball last season, very good, let's hope he can do that again and the defense can pull their weight for once.

Man I definitely agree. I just hope that its not a situation where the defense steps up and Dak takes a step back in his play. That would really piss me off.

With that said, it never fails to amaze me how creative people become to try and devalue how good Dak is. Ive heard all kinds of excuses as to why he's ranked where he is at his position every season.

 

[5Stars]

Yep. You’ve caught me red handed. I would’ve gotten away with it too if it wasn’t for those meddling geezers…..

lol...yeah, I'm going to bow out of this thread because I don't want any of us to get benched for being silly. So, have a nice day, TMC. Catch you on the re-bound.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Haven't you figured it out yet? Him and I are your famous "burner accounts". We tricked you. lmao

I don’t think you or him are smart enough to have a burner account so there’s that….

 

[5Stars]

Man I definitely agree. I just hope that its not a situation where the defense steps up and Dak takes a step back in his play. That would really piss me off.

With that said, it never fails to amaze me how creative people become to try and devalue how good Dak is. Ive heard all kinds of excuses as to why he's ranked where he is at his position every season.

Yeah, it's like our team is schizophrenic, one season the offense is good and the defense is bad, next season the defense is good and the offsense sucks. This team needs medication! lol

 

[Vtwin]

You’re arguing against a point that wasn’t argued. I never said Dak had a worse line than him. I argued Herbert had weapons and said you could argue he has had better weapons between the defenses they had under Staley and some options. I’d take Lamb and Pickens over their options at receiver. I’d take Hampton over Javonte. I’d take their tight ends over our tight ends. He’s throwing to Gasden, Quentin, Allen and McConkey. He’s not throwing to bad football players.

Classic tmc!

You most definitely made the point that Herbert only had two bad o-lines. That point was made in reference to your main point that Herbert had better teams/weapons than Dak Now you're trying to move the goal posts by cherry picking some skill positions.

On no planet can it be said that overall Herbert has better support than Prescott. I could pick apart the comparisons between the specific players you mention and the comparables Prescott has worked with but it would be even more wasted time and while it's been fun bouncing bb's off your forehead, in the words of the great Don Meredith, it's time to "turn off the lights, the party is over..."

 

[Vtwin]

Now you’re back peddling. You’ve admitted to falling down there lol. Now you’re laughing at it. Mmmkay…..

You are a liar.

 

[SteveTheCowboy]

Man I definitely agree. I just hope that its not a situation where the defense steps up and Dak takes a step back in his play. That would really piss me off.

With that said, it never fails to amaze me how creative people become to try and devalue how good Dak is. Ive heard all kinds of excuses as to why he's ranked where he is at his position every season.

So....let's pause for a second here. What makes Dak "good". SO good everyone needs to acknowledge just how dang good he really is.

I remember some people saying "Dak doesn't pass to himself" and "Dak doesn't block for himself". Etc etc.

 

[Vtwin]

Haven't you figured it out yet? Him and I are your famous "burner accounts". We tricked you. lmao

Classic tmc in that post. You didn't even post in that thread yet here is bringing your name in.

He'll stoop as low as he needs to.

Can't believe a word he says.

 

[DarkVader33]

* 2020: 32nd
* 2021: 10th
* 2022: 17th
* 2023: 16th
* 2024: 15th

These rankings don’t represent the horror you guys pretend he has had blocking for him Stroud and Burrow have had worse.


For most of his career he’s had Ekeler, Mcconkey, Allen, Quentin Johnson…throughout his career…..drafted Tre Harris last year.

It’s wild the same people who argue against excuses for Dak will find them
For Herbert lol. Nuts.

Herbert is better than Dak IMO. That isn’t a knock on Dak. He is still at least top 7

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Classic tmc!

You most definitely made the point that Herbert only had two bad o-lines. That point was made in reference to your main point that Herbert had better teams/weapons than Dak Now you're trying to move the goal posts by cherry picking some skill positions.

On no planet can it be said that overall Herbert has better support than Prescott. I could pick apart the comparisons between the specific players you mention and the comparables Prescott has worked with but it would be even more wasted time and while it's been fun bouncing bb's off your forehead, in the words of the great Don Meredith, it's time to "turn off the lights, the party is over..."

Go to post 136. You’re clueless….

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

You are a liar.

I am.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Herbert is better than Dak IMO. That isn’t a knock on Dak. He is still at least top 7

You’re entitled to that. I don’t think he’s shown he’s better but I have no issue with someone saying that but if someone says Dak is better then Goff or Hurts they will say 2-5….but Herber is 0-3.

 

[Yobwocs]

Herbert is better than Dak IMO. That isn’t a knock on Dak. He is still at least top 7

Herbert is not better than Dak. He has a stronger arm, but Dak is better in most other facets, including precision, accuracy and fast figuring out coverage schemes.

Only 5 QBs you can argue as better than Dak and those are the ones ranked ahead of him on this list.