Tag: Ben Dinucci

Report: Bears were interested in James Madison QB Ben DiNucci before Cowboys drafted him

The Bears were in contact with James Madison QB Ben DiNucci about an undrafted free-agent contract before the Cowboys drafted him.

[jwplayer 85croDZG-ThvAeFxT]

For the fifth time in general manager Ryan Pace’s six-year tenure in Chicago, the Bears passed on the opportunity to select a quarterback in the NFL Draft.

Pace’s lone quarterback selection was in 2017 with Mitchell Trubisky, whose fate is murky at best following continued struggles and inconsistency.

Since then, Pace hasn’t made it a need to find a quarterback in the draft, which is surprising this season considering the Bears’ uncertainties at quarterback beyond 2020.

But according to Dallas Morning News Cowboys reporter Michael Gehlken, the Bears were in contact with James Madison quarterback Ben DiNucci about an undrafted free agent contract. But the Dallas Cowboys locked up their developmental prospect in the seventh round at pick 231.

There are still some quarterbacks that went undrafted that the Bears should target, and we’ll see if the Bears decide to bring in a rookie quarterback to develop behind Trubisky and Nick Foles.

[vertical-gallery id=443652]

[lawrence-related id=443662,443610,443546,443573]

2020 NFL Draft: Cowboys take 7th-round flyer on little known, championship game QB

QB Ben DiNucci wraps up the Cowboys 2020 draft class, selected out of James Madison University.

Wrapping up their 2020 draft class, the Cowboys selected James Madison QB Ben DiNucci in Round 7, No. 231 overall. Seemingly plucked from obscurity, DiNucci caps off a truly stunning first draft for Mike McCarthy’s Cowboys, and represents one last lotto ticket the team can hold onto.

A redshirt FCS senior, DiNucci transferred to James Madison from Pittsburgh in 2018. In two seasons, DiNucci threw for 5,716 yards and 45 touchdowns, finishing fourth all-time at JMU in each category. In 2019, he scored 36 total touchdowns (29 passing, seven rushing) and accounted for over 4,000 total yards of offense.

DiNucci led JMU to the FCS Championship Game last year, where they fell 28-20 to Division I powerhouse North Dakota State. In the game, he completed 22 of 33 passes for 204 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. But DiNucci’s performance and unlikely journey definitely caught the attention of NFL scouts, and especially intrigued Dallas.

With only Cooper Rush and Clayton Thorson as QB depth behind Dak Prescott, DiNucci has chance to latch on and develop as an NFL prospect under the watchful eye of McCarthy and his staff.

After seemingly crushing each pick before, having DiNucci hit would be the feather in the cap of a masterful 2020 NFL draft the Cowboys. With spirits high, we’ll let this questionable old tweet from DiNucci slide, and let him carve his own path in Dallas.

Report: ‘Everyone knows’ Patriots plan to select a QB in 2020 NFL Draft

It is becoming apparent that the New England Patriots are planning to select a quarterback in the NFL Draft.

The New England Patriots may make some moves to bolster the offense post-Tom Brady. The Patriots want to draft a quarterback, and that is all but certain, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

Speaking on “NFL Total Access” on Monday, Rapoport gave some insight into what the Patriots were thinking heading into the Draft. A quarterback appears to be in the cards, although it is not certain what round New England will select one.

Following the release of Cody Kessler, New England made it clear that they trusted both Jarrett Stidham and Brian Hoyer. With only a two-man quarterback room, they certainly need someone else at the position. Rappaport made a clear that although New England is expected to pick a quarterback, there is uncertainty as to which quarterback will be selected and in what round.

Utah State quarterback Jordan Love has been connected to the Patriots over the past couple of days. James Madison quarterback Ben DiNucci has been interviewed by the Patriots. The quarterback position has been on the organization’s radar. Who they select is anyone’s guess.

Everybody knows that they’re going to take a quarterback,” he said. “And, of course, when they released Cody Kessler, it opened up a spot in their quarterback room. They are going to select someone. Obviously, it does get complicated. They don’t have a second-round pick. So it seems to be, pick someone in the first round or pick someone in the mid-rounds. There’s really no in-between for the Patriots.

“No one has really seen what the Patriots look for in a top-flight quarterback. It’s been so long – really since Jimmy Garoppolo – since they’ve used a premium pick on a quarterback. That’s why there is so much intrigue surrounding them and who they actually like, and, of course, if one of the top quarterbacks slides — like Tua (Tagovailoa) or Jordan Love — are the Patriots going to pick them, and when, is going to be the biggest storyline of the draft. Everyone expects them to make some sort of move.”

For the first time in quite a while, the New England Patriots may pick a quarterback for the future. In what is a changing of the guard of sorts, it seems as though New England has done their homework in regards to  the position.

[lawrence-related id=84257]

2020 NFL draft: Panthers video conference with another small school QB prospect

Panthers video conference with another small school QB prospect ahead of 2020 NFL draft.

Watch out, Will Grier. The Panthers are doing their homework on some late-round prospects who could threaten his status as the team’s No. 3 quarterback on the depth chart behind Teddy Bridgewater and P.J. Walker.

Last week, it was reported by the Athletic that Carolina held a video call with Northern Colorado QB Jacob Knipp, who is projected to be either a late Day 3 pick or an undrafted free agent. On Monday, we learned of another similar meeting.

According to Tony Pauline at Pro Football Network, the Panthers held a video conference with Ben DiNucci from James Madison. So have the Patriots and Bears.

“For some reason, DiNucci was snubbed from all the postseason All-Star events. He has had numerous video conferences with the New England Patriots, Carolina Panthers, and Chicago Bears.”

Again, the level of competition is a bit low for your average QB prospect, but DiNucci’s numbers since transferring from Pitt were interesting. Last season, he completed 268 of 378 pass attempts (70.9%), averaging 9.1 yards per attempt and totaling 29 touchdowns to go with six interceptions.

If the Panthers do wind up drafting or signing one of these small school QBs, there’s a good chance Grier could be on his way out. It will be interesting to see if they can get any team to bite on a trade for Grier, even though he bombed as a rookie.

[lawrence-related id=620905]

[vertical-gallery id=620451]

Report: Patriots held numerous video calls with late-round quarterback

The Patriots have shown interest in James Madison University QB Ben DiNucci.

The New England Patriots are heading into a season for the first time in 20 years with uncertainty at the quarterback position.

After the departure of Tom Brady, the idea of Jarrett Stidham becoming the starting quarterback became pretty clear. The Patriots followed up by bringing Brian Hoyer back, and Bill Belichick spoke in a press conference about the open quarterback competition New England would have this offseason. So, the signal-caller in 2020 for the Patriots is still entirely up in the air.

The team has actively shown interest in quarterbacks in this year’s draft, and James Madison University’s Ben DiNucci is the most recent prospect, according to Pro Football Network’s Tony Pauline. DiNucci has had numerous video conference calls with the Patriots.

Here’s what Pauline said.

Ben DiNucci of James Madison is another signal caller who could surprise, this time in the late rounds. The Pittsburgh transfer was not graded by scouts entering the season despite his terrific junior campaign. DiNucci followed that up with a senior year that included 3,441 yards passing and 29 touchdowns as well as a completion percentage of 71 percent.

For some reason, DiNucci was snubbed from all the postseason All-Star events. He has had numerous video conferences with the New England Patriots, Carolina Panthers, and Chicago Bears.

DiNucci redshirted his freshman year at Pittsburgh and lost the starting quarterback battle in his sophomore year, leading to his transfer to James Madison. His incredible senior year was what stood out, after throwing for elite numbers in the air and tacking on 569 rushing yards with seven rushing touchdowns.

The projected late-round pick could turn into a well-worth it project if the Patriots don’t see a future with Stidham.

[vertical-gallery id=83610]