Cowboys News: Dallas holds private workout with surprise QB, Johnathan Hankins update
By Jerry Trotta
The Dallas Cowboys are keen on extending Dak Prescott this offseason and already re-signed Cooper Rush in free agency to fill the backup role once again, but that doesn’t mean they’re out on drafting a quarterback next month.
Jerry Jones has spoken at length about investing in another QB. Not one that will necessarily compete with Prescott for the starting job, but one that will make for a compelling development project in the middle rounds.
Tennessee’s Hendon Hooker has the makings of a Cowboys prospect, but recent mock drafts have him going as high as the first-round.
Even if Hooker is available in the second (Dallas holds the No. 58 overall pick in Round 2), they’d be better off taking a defensive tackle, running back, offensive linemen, or receiver given the lack of depth at those positions.
With Hooker likely off the table, Purdue’s Aidan O’Connell has emerged as the new flavor of the week, as NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported the former Boilermaker had a private workout with the Cowboys Tuesday.
Purdue QB Aidan O’Connell has a private workout today with the #Cowboys, per source.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 28, 2023
O’Connell also has private visits and workouts set up with the #Jets, #Raiders, #Saints, #Bengals, #Colts and #Bears, and has Zoomed with 10 other teams. Busy month for the Shrine Bowl standout.
More Cowboys News:
- O’Connell has ideal size at 6-foot-3 and 213 pounds and is renowned for his accuracy and ball-placement. He played 33 games at Purdue so experience isn’t an issue and he threw 65 touchdowns to 30 interceptions with a 141.6 passer rating. The one downside with O’Connell is his lack of mobility and inability to make things happen when the pocket collapses. Other Day 3 QBs have more upside, but O’Connell’s floor makes for an interesting pick.
- Jerry Jones told reporters at the owner’s meetings that “progress” is being made to re-sign Johnathan Hankins. Further, Nick Eatman of Cowboys.com told 105.3 The Fan that he expects Hankins to be back and that a deal should be done soon.
- Stephon Gilmore taking Ezekiel Elliott’s No. 21 stole headlines for obvious reasons, but jersey numbers for other new Cowboys arrivals were confirmed Monday. Brandin Cooks will wear No. 3 for the first time in his career, while Ronald Jones claimed No. 32, and Chuma Edoga was assigned No. 71.
Jerry Jones on:
— David Moore (@DavidMooreDMN) March 27, 2023
Dak Prescott _ No conversation on extension yet.
Ezekiel Elliott _ Cut principally for cap, but said also about “improving through scheme or another player.”
Terrence Steele _ Called him backup OT on both sides.
DT Johnathan Hankins _ Working to get it done. pic.twitter.com/ifg8V3EF8J
NFL News:
- Lamar Jackson announced on Twitter Monday that he requested a trade from the Ravens on March 2. The bombshell was posted just as head coach John Harbaugh arrived to speak to reporters at the league meetings.
- Trade talks between the Jets and Packers for Aaron Rodgers are still ongoing. Jets general manager Joe Douglas said at the meetings New York has no plans to pursue Jackson as a contingency plan for Rodgers.
- The Josh Harris-Mitchell Rales group submitted a bid for the Commanders worth up to $6 billion, per ESPN. The group includes NBA legend Magic Johnson, who recently joined the bidding for the franchise.
