Dak Prescott ‘Forces Throws’: Cowboys Brandin Cooks Trade the Cure?

The Dallas Cowboys acquired Brandin Cooks via trade this offseason, with the veteran receiver set to play a big part in limiting Dak Prescott's interception total going forward.

The Dallas Cowboys have Dak Prescott coming off a league-leading interception total of 15. A player like Brandin Cooks coming into the fold via trade should, in theory, help Dak limit those interceptions.

And there are theories as to how that happens specifically.

Due to his route-running and ability to get separation (something Dallas receivers not named CeeDee Lamb struggled with last season), Cooks looms as one of the more crucial additions to coach Mike McCarthy's “Texas Coast Offense.”

And NFL analyst Sal Paolantonio knows how critical the addition of Cooks could be for Dak and the offense.

“I think he holds onto the ball because guys are not getting open or they have miscommunications on the routes,” Paolantonio said on ESPN's GetUp. “They brought in Brandin Cooks, very important addition. … to rule in the slot to get open on option routes so that when Dak Prescott is in the shotgun formation, he can catch the ball and get rid of it."

CowboysSi.com has already detailed the difference in Prescott when he releases the ball quickly compared to when he holds onto the ball. McCarthy's offense will look to get Dak in rhythm with quick, sharp passes and allow the skill position players to do their thing in open space.

Last season, Prescott threw those 15 interceptions, which of course, is far too many, and while many can talk about if they were all Dak's fault or not, unfortunately, they are a quarterback stat.

ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky brought up an interesting stat from Prescott's interceptions and had a theory as to why that total was so high.

“He threw 15 picks last year, 11 of those 15 were on second-and-eight or more or third-and-eight or more," he said on GetUp. "That makes me think you're forcing the football.”

Did Dak force some throws? Quite possibly, as he had numerous tight-window throws as receivers couldn't get separation ... enter Cooks.

But in McCarthy's “Texas Coast Offense,” it will be stripped down to make things easier for Dak and his receivers, which includes simple throws to get the chains moving.

What Dallas doesn't want is for the offense to get behind the chains and for Dak to start forcing the issue. Luckily, that is where McCarthy and his new scheme comes into play as the situational side of his play-calling talents will come to the fore.

And Paolantonio knows exactly what McCarthy and new coordinator Brian Schottenheimer will do.

“Unmanageable down and distance, you don’t want your quarterback making mistakes in those situations; that’s why you bring in Cooks," Paolantonio said. 

"The bottom line is, what McCarthy and Brian Schottenheimer will attempt to do is that on first and second down, they will get him better sticks so he doesn’t have to become the hero on third-and-eight or second-and-long.”

Steps have been taken to reel in Prescott's interception total, and no, it's not in his DNA as some have suggested, but McCarthy is doing all he can to help his quarterback become a better version of himself.

And that hopefully bodes well for the Cowboys' Super Bowl aspirations.

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