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This early in draft season, the big boards of many draftniks are still very fluid. Think about this: On January 27 last year, CBSSports had Byron Jones ranked 253rd on their big board with a 7th-round grade. Jones would end up being picked in the first round by the Cowboys.
On January 8, 2014, CBSSports had Aaron Donald ranked 53rd overall. Donald would get picked 13th overall and has amassed 20 sacks as a defensive tackle in two years.
Every season sees some late risers, and QB Carson Wentz may just be the hottest draft commodity right now. Some notable draft analysts are already calling him the top QB in this draft class, as the summary of tweets below shows.
Don't be surprised if Wentz ends up higher than Lynch on my board. Can't wait to meet him in Mobile and talk ball.
— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) 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
I'd take any of the 3 in the 1st, but with the caveat I don't want them playing as rookies. Wentz most NFL ready IMO https://t.co/965TzvJFEd
— Jeff Risdon (@JeffRisdon) January 9, 2016
I like how we've gone from "there are no QBs worth drafting in the 1st round" to "Goff, Lynch and Wentz will be gone by Round 2" in a week.
— Ryanalytics (@RyInCBus) 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 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
For the Cowboys, there's a simple message in all of this. All things considered, the fourth overall pick is a bargain if it nets you a franchise quarterback. If they have a franchise-level grade on a quarterback, be it Carson Wentz or anybody else, they should be thankful if they can get him for a fourth.
I'll leave the summary to Bob Sturm of the Dallas Morning News:
Bottom line, there are no fewer than 3 top shelf QB prospects in the draft. No excuses to not get one.
— Bob Sturm (@SportsSturm) January 9, 2016