The Rodney Parade outfit struggled last season, but have significantly strengthened their squad with a series of impressive signings including Ross Moriarty, Rhodri Williams and Richard Hibbard.
And the 20-year-old Wainwright – who won his first Wales cap in Argentina this summer – reckons the Gwent region will finish higher up the PRO14 table this term.
“I think all the other regions will respect the Dragons a lot more by the end of the season,” he said.
“If we play as well as we can with the squad we have, I don’t think there’s any reason why we can’t be up there with the best teams in the PRO14 let along the four regions in Wales.
“I think it’s exciting times for the Dragons with a lot of new players coming in.
“There will be a lot of good rugby played and I can’t wait to get going. Ross coming on board is a massive boost for the region especially.
“When I went into the Wales camp he helped me out a lot with the line-outs and my shape. He’s a British & Irish Lion and a well-renowned international player.
“His experience and his quality will help the Dragons massively. I’ve been in pre-season for the last week and a half and everything is building nicely.
“We’ve definitely got a strong pack this year and the back line is looking very sharp. I don’t see why we can’t start the season well, get a good couple of wins under our belt, and take some momentum into the rest of the campaign.”
Blindside flanker Wainwright has gone from playing for Cardiff Met to international rugby in the space of 18 months.
And the Bassaleg product admits he occasionally pinches himself when thinking about his meteoric rise.
“When I first went into the Wales camp I was a bit starstruck,” he said.
“There were a lot of big names coming up to me and speaking to me to try and help me settle in. I’ve had to pinch myself at times because it’s been so unexpected, but that’s down to my own hard work and putting the effort in.
“I think I did quite well when I came on against Argentina. I made a couple of tackles, stripped the ball, and I was on it.
“It was a great buzz especially running on to the pitch with the crowd cheering. Hopefully I am in contention for selection for the Dragons because figuring in the November internationals is a definite goal of mine.”
