Dallas Cowboys: Watch out for rookie quarterback Ben DiNucci

Rookie QB Ben DiNucci is a name all Dallas Cowboys fans need to get familiar with

With their final draft pick in the 2020 draft, the Dallas Cowboys drafted QB Ben DiNucci in the seventh round. Not much was known about the signal caller when he was selected, but it seems the Cowboys could’ve found a gem in a draft headlined by other popular names at the position.

The Dallas Cowboys and the quarterback position have been in news cycles for the last two years and many fans are gassed on any conversation about the contract of starting QB Dak Prescott. However, in all of that mess, the Dallas Cowboys selected a quarterback who had a fun senior season.

DiNucci was a former three-star quarterback that committed to the University of Pittsburgh out of high school. After redshirting his first season, the quarterback played eleven games in Pittsburgh and looked out of place. Eventually, a freshman Kenny Pickett won the starting job over DiNucci leaving him to transfer to James Madison University.

The change of scenery was all DiNucci need to start putting things together. In his junior season,  he completed 68 percent of his passes for 2275 yards, 16 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions while also leading the team in rushing touchdowns with nine.

The progress continued into his senior season where he completed 70 percent of his passes for 3441 yards, 29 touchdowns, and only six interceptions while also adding seven touchdowns on the ground. The numbers saw an impressive jump and looking at his film DiNucci showcased some swagger when playing against other FCS competition.

However, even with the good senior season, All-CAA honors, and likable traits, he fell completely under the radar during the draft process. He had no Senior Bowl Invite, no Scouting Combine Invite, and no pro day after the pandemic washed that out. Certainly one of the stranger developments from the 2020 draft season.

Today I’ll be discussing why the Cowboys spent a day three pick on the signal-caller and why he is a fun backup for head coach Mike McCarthy, who loves to develop quarterbacks.