3 best and worst QBs Cowboys will face in 2024 NFL schedule feat. Russell Wilson

The Dallas Cowboys have the vast majority of their 53-man roster in their hands. The schedule is out, the NFL Draft is complete and free agency is a distant memory. For Jerry Jones, attention now turns toward the next big event on the NFL calendar, which is the upcoming season.

With the schedule out, it is time to nail down a few gimme matchups and a few showdowns that will be tough as nails for the Cowboys. Here's a look at the best and worst quarterbacks the Cowboys will face in 2024.

The best QBs the Cowboys will face

#3 - C.J. Stroud

CJ Stroud at Minnesota Timberwolves at Los Angeles Lakers - Courtesy of Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports

C.J. Stroud's matchup against the Cowboys will be as heated as the state of Texas has seen since the Deshaun Watson era. Considering the added star power for Stroud, Texans have become a trendy Super Bowl pick. That said, it would not be possible without Stroud having a second season to match his first.

Stroud threw for 23 touchdowns and five interceptions without Stefon Diggs and Joe Mixon. In 2024, he will also have those star pieces, which sets up the Cowboys for a battle between Goliaths.

#2 - Brock Purdy

Brock Purdy at Super Bowl LVIII - San Francisco 49ers Media Availability

It doesn't matter whether Brock Purdy or Kyle Shanahan deserve credit for the team's continued dominance. The last pick in the 2022 NFL Draft was a banger. Since his arrival, Purdy has reached an NFC Championship and a Super Bowl in two years. The only quarterback with a comparable modern run like that is Patrick Mahomes.

In 2023, Purdy threw for 31 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He also nudged a 70% completion rating at 69.4%. This sets up the Cowboys for another tough battle against a well-known foe.

#1 - Lamar Jackson

Lamar Jackson at AFC Championship - Kansas City Chiefs v Baltimore Ravens

The Cowboys managed to dodge Patrick Mahomes in 2024, but will not be able to escape the other contestant from their most recent AFC championship game. Lamar Jackson, unlike most quarterbacks, hasn't tossed his way to victory. Rather, his legs have run him there.

Per Pro Football Reference, the man has rushed for at least 690 yards in every season he has played in and owns at least a 2:1 win-loss ratio in every season sans one. Put simply, Dak Prescott is going to have his hands full.

The worst QBs the Cowboys will face

#3 - Russell Wilson

Russell Wilson at Los Angeles Rams v Denver Broncos

A controversial pick for some, Russell Wilson proved that he can elevate his play with the correct staff in the form of Sean Payton. Last year, Wilson threw for 26 touchdowns and eight interceptions, playing a big role in the team earning their best record since 2016.

However, while Mike Tomlin is nothing to sneeze at, the Steelers have had trouble generating explosive and consistent performances from quarterbacks in the post-Ben Roethlisberger era.

Kenny Pickett threw for just six touchdowns and four interceptions under Tomlin in 2023. Considering Wilson threw for 16 touchdowns and 11 interceptions without Payton in 2022, a similar performance could be in store this season.

#2 - Bryce Young

Bryce Young at Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Carolina Panthers - Courtesy of Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Bryce Young has a lot to prove in his second year in the NFL. The Panthers quarterback, coming off a two-win performance in 2023, was the opposite of CJ Stroud. It was difficult to choose between who should go first overall between Young and Stroud, but after the 2023 season, the choice could not have been more clear.

Young threw for just 11 touchdowns and had 10 interceptions last season, leaving plenty of room for improvement. He also fell under the dreaded 60% mark for completion percentage at 59.8%.

#1 - Daniel Jones

Daniel Jones at New York Giants v Arizona Cardinals

It goes without saying that Jones is back on thin ice after an unlikely fourth-year playoff surge. After struggling in 2023 and missing most of the year due to injury, Jones has plenty to prove to the Giants, who had a chance to pick a quarterback in the 2024 NFL Draft but decided to get Malik Nabers instead.

Jones has thrown for more than 20 touchdowns just once in his career and if he were to cross that threshold this year, it would be his first time doing that since 2019.