Dallas Cowboys host 2023 NFL draft quarterback prospect Aidan O'Connell for workout
The Dallas Cowboys are reportedly hosting former Purdue quarterback and 2023 NFL draft prospect Aidan O’Connell for a private workout on Tuesday, according to NFL insider Tom Pelissero.
“Purdue QB Aidan O’Connell has a private workout today with the #Cowboys, per source,
Pelissero tweeted. “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.”
O’Connell earned second-team All-Big Ten honors in his final season with the Boilermakers. He posted 3,490 passing yards with a 64.1% completion rate and 22 touchdowns with 13 interceptions. In 2021, he had a career-high 3,712 passing yards with 28 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.
O’Connell joined the Boilermakers in 2017 as a walk-on. He did not play in 2018 but then took the reins in 2019. An injury ended his 2020 season after three games. Over four seasons, he racked up 9,129 passing yards and 67 total touchdowns.
The Cowboys are considering using one of their seven draft picks in 2023 on a quarterback. According to the ESPN best-available board, O’Connell is the No. 13 QB prospect in this class.
Cowboys eyeing quarterback for one NFL draft pick
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones revealed at the Senior Bowl that the team intends to draft a quarterback this year during the 2023 NFL Draft. He also admitted that he believes it’s been a mistake not to do so every year.
The Cowboys have only drafted two quarterbacks in the seven years since they took Dak Prescott in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL Draft. They also haven’t drafted a quarterback in a round higher than the fifth since Prescott.
In 2018, Dallas drafted Mike White with a fifth-round pick out of Western Kentucky. White has played in eight games so far in his NFL career, all with the Jets.
The most recent quarterback drafted by the Cowboys was Ben DiNucci in the seventh round of the 2020 draft. Dallas waved DiNucci in August of 2022 after he played in three games, completing 23 of 43 passes for 219 yards.
More on the 2023 NFL Draft
The 2023 NFL Draft takes place from Thursday, April 27 through Saturday, April 29 in Kansas City, Missouri. The event location this year is the plaza just outside of Union Station.
Round 1 of the NFL Draft begins at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, Apr. 27. Rounds 2-3 will begin at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, Apr. 28, and Rounds 4-7 will begin at 12 p.m. ET on Saturday, Apr. 29. The draft broadcast runs throughout the weekend on both ESPN and NFL Network.