:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/48590965/GettyImages-454387910.0.jpg)
It's no big secret that the Cowboys are in the market for a QB, so it doesn't come as a big surprise that Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com has the Cowboys picking a QB at No. 4 in his latest mock draft. Except that QB isn't Jared Goff, and it isn't Paxton Lynch either.
Instead, Jeremiah has the Cowboys picking Carson Wentz out of North Dakota State.
The Cowboys will get a chance to coach Wentz at the Senior Bowl and I think they'll fall in love with him.
A two-year starter at North Dakota State, Wentz captured the attention of many Cowboys fans in part because he's taken a lot of snaps from under center in a pro-style offense. He's also 6'6'', weighs 235 lbs and has a strong arm. Although there are questions about the competition level he's faced, Wentz performed well under the spotlight of championship games.
Wentz led NDSU to their fifth-straight national championship and was named the game's most outstanding player for a second consecutive year. Here's why everbody has the hots for Wentz.
Wentz is a potential-draft target for the Cowboys, who sent their scouting department to watch the quarterback on Saturday. He ran a pro-style offense and played mostly under-center while at NDSU. He possesses the size -- 6-foot-6, 235 pounds -- to make it in the NFL and the smarts -- he was named the NCAA Elite 89 award winner for the highest GPA at the national championship game for the third-straight year on Saturday -- to fit in well with a cerebral head coach like Jason Garrett.
Wentz appeared in 42 games in college, completing 64.1 percent of his passes for 5,115 yards, 45 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions. Wentz also rushed for 1,028 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Wentz has been screaming up draft boards of late, and a strong showing at the Senior Bowl and Combine could see the cacophony of voices pushing him as a top pick swell even further.
Draft nugget: was just told if Carson Wentz does well at Senior Bowl he's gone before Dallas gets a shot at him at 4 overall.
— Jeff Risdon (@JeffRisdon) January 19, 2016
Wentz is a souped up version of Alex Smith to me. Bigger and stronger arm, but very smart and athletic like Smith. https://t.co/TzJy9e1NFU
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) January 19, 2016
I liked Wentz's tools on film. But, so far, he's been even more impressive in person. Ball explodes off his hand. Easy mover at 6-6. Touch.
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) January 9, 2016
Don't buy the narrative that Wentz is going to fly up draft boards. He's already there. Several top personnel guys have him as top QB.
— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) January 9, 2016
I'm saying he's in the conversation to be the 1st qb taken...if he checks all the intangible boxes- watch out ! https://t.co/X48iTx5HgV
— Mike Mayock (@MikeMayock) January 9, 2016
Considering the price some teams have paid to get their hands on a franchise quarterback, the fourth overall pick is small change if it nets you a franchise quarterback. If the Cowboys have a franchise-level grade on a QB, be it Carson Wentz or anybody else, they should be screaming in ecstatic joy as they run to the podium to hand in their card during the draft.