#StateToSundays: Week 1 Update

Sep 8, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) celebrates after a touchdown during the first half against the Cleveland Browns at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

Photo by: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

#StateToSundays: Week 1 Update

September 10, 2024 | Football

By: Logan Lowery, Assistant Director/Communications

Dak Prescott made headlines before he even took his first snap of the season on Sunday.

The three-time Pro Bowler agreed to terms on a four-year contract extension with the Dallas Cowboys worth $240 million which makes him the highest-paid player in NFL history. Prescott's deal includes an $80 million signing bonus, an annual average salary of $60 million and $231 million of it is guaranteed.

Prescott's new contract gives Mississippi State the highest paid player in the league in addition to Chris Jones, who is the NFL's highest-paid defensive lineman earning $31.35 million annually.

Prescott guided the Cowboys to victory in his first game under the new contract by completing 19 of 32 passes for 179 yards and one touchdown in a 33-17 road win at Cleveland.

Last year's SEC Defensive Player of the Year, Nathaniel Watson, made his professional debut for the Browns during that game while Martin Emerson finished third on the team with eight tackles.

Jones kicked off the NFL season last Thursday recording three tackles for Kansas City including one for loss, one sack and forcing a fumble. Pro Football Focus (PFF) gave Jones the highest defensive grade for the Chiefs at 82.8, which was the sixth-best among interior defenders in the league during Week 1.

Jones also topped the team with an 80.5 pressure grade, good enough for fourth among NFL players at his position.

Former first-round pick Charles Cross earned the top offensive grade in the NFL last week at 94.8 with his 96.1 run-blocking grade also topping the league. Cross started at left tackle for Seattle where he also posted the best pass-blocking grade by a Seahawk.

Darius Slay and the Philadelphia Eagles went South of the Border to Brazil to open the season with Slay notching three tackles and forcing a fumble. He earned the No. 1 run defense grade for Philadelphia at 81.1 while also finishing with the second-best tackling grade on the team at 79.0.

Former Pro-Bowler Jeffery Simmons made a stop behind the line of scrimmage in his season-debut for the Tennessee Titans while Logan Cooke averaged 51.8 yards per punt for the Jacksonville Jaguars, which included a 67-yarder that was his longest since 2022.

J.T. Gray of the New Orleans Saints recorded the sixth-best pressure grade among safeties in the NFL in Week 1 and Preston Smith posted the No. 3 pressure grade for the Green Bay Packers.

JOHNATHAN ABRAM | S | NEW ORLEANS SAINTS | AT MSU: 2017-18

Last Week: Abram was on the practice squad for a 47-10 win over the Panthers.

Season: N/A

DENICO AUTRY | DT | HOUSTON TEXANS | AT MSU: 2012-13

Last Week: Autry was suspended for a 29-27 win at the Colts.

Season: N/A

MARCUS BANKS | S | TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS | AT MSU: 2022-23

Last Week: Banks was on the practice squad for a 37-20 win over the Commanders.

Season: N/A

LOGAN COOKE | P | JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS | AT MSU: 2014-17

Last Week: Cooke punted six times for 311 yards (51.8 avg.) with a long of 67 yards in a 20-17 loss at the Dolphins.

Season: Six punts for 311 yards (51.8 avg.), long 67

CHARLES CROSS | OT | SEATTLE SEAHAWKS | AT MSU: 2019-21

Last Week: Cross started at left tackle in a 26-20 win over the Broncos.

Season: One game played, one start

JADEN CRUMEDY | DT | CAROLINA PANTHERS | AT MSU: 2018-23

Last Week: Crumedy was on injured reserve (high-ankle sprain) for a 47-10 loss at the Saints.

Season: N/A

MARTIN EMERSON | CB | CLEVELAND BROWNS | AT MSU: 2019-21

Last Week: Emerson started and finished third on the team with eight tackles (five solo, three assists) and had one pass defense in a 33-17 loss to the Cowboys.

Season: Eight tackles (five solo, three assists), one pass defense

EMMANUEL FORBES | CB | WASHINGTON COMMANDERS | AT MSU: 2020-22

Last Week: Forbes started and made four tackles (two solo, two assists) in a 37-20 loss at the Buccaneers.

Season: Four tackles (two solo, two assists)

WILLIE GAY JR. | LB | NEW ORLEANS SAINTS | AT MSU: 2017-19

Last Week: Gay started at Sam linebacker and made two special teams tackles (one solo, one assist) in a 47-10 win over the Panthers.

Season: Two tackles (one solo, one assist)

J.T. GRAY | S | NEW ORLEANS SAINTS | AT MSU: 2014-17

Last Week: Gray made three special teams tackles (one solo, two assists)

Season: Three tackles (one solo, two assists)

LIDEATRICK GRIFFIN | WR | CLEVELAND BROWNS | AT MSU: 2020-23

Last Week: Griffin was on the practice squad for a 33-17 loss to the Cowboys.

Season: N/A

ELGTON JENKINS | OG | GREEN BAY PACKERS | AT MSU: 2014-18

Last Week: Jenkins started at left guard in a 34-29 loss to the Eagles in Brazil.

Season: One game played, one start

CHRIS JONES | DE | KANSAS CITY CHIEFS | AT MSU: 2013-15

Last Week: Jones started and made three tackles (one solo, two assists), one tackle for loss, one sack and one forced fumble in a 27-20 win over the Ravens.

Season: Three tackles (one solo, two assists), one tackle for loss, one sack, one forced fumble

DAK PRESCOTT | QB | DALLAS COWBOYS | AT MSU: 2011-15

Last Week: Prescott started and completed 19 of 32 passes for 179 yards and one touchdown. He also rushed once for 3 yards in a 33-17 win at the Browns.

Season: Passing: 19 of 32, 179 yards, one touchdown Rushing: one carry, three yards

DECAMERION RICHARDSON | CB | LAS VEGAS RAIDERS | AT MSU: 2020-23

Last Week: Richardson was not active in a 22-10 loss at the Chargers.

Season: N/A

JEFFERY SIMMONS | DT | TENNESSEE TITANS | AT MSU: 2016-18

Last Week: Simmons started and made two tackles (one solo, one assist) and one tackle for loss in a 24-17 loss at the Bears.

Season: Two tackles (one solo, one assist), one tackle for loss

DARIUS SLAY | CB | PHILADELPHIA EAGLES | AT MSU: 2011-12

Last Week: Slay started and made three tackles (two solo, one assist) and forced a fumble in a 34-29 win over the Packers in Brazil.

Season: Three tackles (two solo, one assist), one forced fumble

PRESTON SMITH | DE | GREEN BAY PACKERS | AT MSU: 2011-14

Last Week: Smith started and made two tackles (one solo, one assist) in a 34-29 win over the Packers in Brazil.