Cowboys News: Dallas invites undrafted dual-threat QB to rookie minicamp

Jerry Jones stated multiple times leading up to the NFL Draft that the Dallas Cowboys were going to select a quarterback. The last time Dallas drafted a QB was in 2020 when they used their final pick on James Madison's Ben DiNucci.

It was speculated this offseason that the Cowboys might bring DiNucci back amid a standout season with the Seattle Sea Dragons of the XFL, but the Broncos invited him to minicamp seemingly with the intent of competing for a roster spot.

The former Cowboy led the XFL with 2,671 passing yards during the regular season and finished second in the league with 20 touchdown passes.

With DiNucci no longer available -- not that Dallas was considering signing him -- the franchise pivoted to 2023 undrafted free agent Matthew McKay out of Elon. The Cowboys invited McCkay to throw at rookie minicamp.

Cowboys invite Elon QB Matthew McKay to rookie minicamp.

Though he went undrafted, McKay put together a representative season in 2022, completing 61 percent of his passes for 2,690 yards with 21 touchdowns and four picks. He also showcased his dual-threat ability by compiling 458 rushing yards and three additional scores.

McKay finished his college career with Elon, but started at North Carolina State, where he spent three seasons before transferring to Montana State. He never established himself with NC State. In 2019, he appeared in six games, throwing for 910 yards and three TDs to one INT and completed just 57.3 percent of his passes.

In total, McKay notched 5,708 yards with 41 TDs and eight interceptions as a college player, adding 873 yards and 10 scores on the ground.

The Cowboys only have three QBs on the offseason roster: Dak Prescott, Cooper Rush and Will Grier. It's unlikely they carry three on the 53-man roster and Grier seemingly has the inside track to stick on the practice squad given his familiarity with the offense and roster.

That said, McKay brings some interesting intangibles to the table. At 6-foot-4 and 225 pounds, he's an impressive athlete. The Elon product's arm strength allows him to push the ball downfield with ease and he throws a pretty deep ball. His scrambling ability is just an added (and welcome) bonus.

Elon admittedly doesn't play college football's premier programs, but McKay showed out against their stiffest competition last year (Vanderbilt). In that game, he passed for 333 yards with 2 TDs, 0 picks and 52 rushing yards with two TDs. In 2022 as a whole, he tallied a 150.5 QBR.

What do you think, Cowboys fans? Will McKay last on the roster throughout the offseason program and training camp?