Cowboys 2016 NFL Draft: Scouting Carson Wentz
We scout a candidate that could be drafted by the Dallas Cowboys fourth overall pick: This week it’s North Dakota State quarterback Carson Wentz.
North Dakota State quarterback Carson Wentz was a bit of an unknown heading into draft season; while teams knew who he was and what he brought to the table, many fans had never heard his name. Now he’s seen as one of the top two quarterbacks on the board, with talk of him being a trade up target for QB-needy teams.
While the Cowboys have Tony Romo as their current starting quarterback; and he’s still producing at a high level; they are in a unique position to take the quarterback of the future at fourth overall this April .
Scouting Report:
Wentz only played seven total games in 2015 due to a broken wrist, so looking at him from a numbers perspective is underwhelming. Watching the tape, however, shows that Wentz is much better than a Division II quarterback, and that many FBS schools made a mistake not getting him on their roster; a mistake NFL teams will try not to make.
Wentz has all the physical gifts a team could want in a young quarterback. He has a cannon for an arm, throws a tight spiral, and can put the ball in windows of any size any length down the field, and he’s not afraid to try.
He’s shown the “gunslinger mentality” that Tony Romo showed a couple seasons ago, and his aggressiveness can be his downfall on deeper routes. He has the ability to drop balls in between defenders, as shown on this game-winning touchdown against Northern Iowa:
He also has the mental makeup most teams look for in a franchise quarterback. His footwork is above average for a rookie, which is one of the tougher hurdles for a young signal-caller. His eyes are constantly reading downfield looking for the big play, sometimes to a fault, as he likes to stare down receivers.
Wentz is also more mobile than people think. His rushing yards per attempt would put most running backs to shame, averaging 4.7 yards per carry and six touchdowns his senior year.
More importantly: he excels at moving outside the pocket to keep plays alive, using moves that will make Cowboys fans once again reminisce for the days of a young Tony Romo. With his 4.77 40-yard dash, he has the speed to run bootlegs, design runs, options, or anything the coaches decide to throw at him.
Potential Fit:
Carson Wentz could probably slide into any offense in the NFL and excel. He is a tough, aggressive player, which is a blessing and a curse.
As with any rookie quarterback, the main worry is the adjustment to the speed of the pro game. I believe Wentz has the potential to be a good-to-great quarterback in the NFL, but that’s simply not worth the fourth overall pick the Cowboys hold this upcoming April.
Next: Randy Gregory will haunt Cowboys draft board
Thank you for reading the above article. It’s our sincere hope you’ll visit our site often as we work really hard to provide Cowboys fans with fresh, daily content about their favorite team. Please feel free to take part in further discussions about this topic below in our comment section. All we ask is that each participant is respectful in both their responses and towards others. Thanks again and…Go Cowboys!