Lions star Ross Moriarty arrives from Gloucester along with Huw Taylor from Worcester to join Wainwright, Lewis Evans, Harrison Keddie, Ollie Griffiths, James Benjamin, Nic Cudd, James Thomas and James Sheekey as back row options for head coach Jackman with Wales Under-20s internationals Max Williams, Taine Basham and Lennon Greggains waiting in the wings.
Wainwright, who was won of the bright lights in a difficult campaign for the Dragons but his rise has been mesmeric.
After 2016/17 with Cardiff Met in the WRU Championship, the back row forward was meant to spend last season with Newport RFC in the Premiership but instead became a leading figure in Bernard Jackman's side.
"I wouldn't say I am a Dragons regular!" Wainwright told BBC's Scrum V podcast. "There were quite a few injuries last year and I took the chances well when they came.
"But this year a lot of boys have come back and are fit [again], there are new signings and a lot of the younger boys pushed on a lot last year.
"It's just a case of me getting back into pre-season and doing the same as I did last year to try and put myself forward and try to make one of those back row places mine.
"It was a great experience going away [with Wales] and getting a nice bit of game time but in the grand scheme of things, I have only taken my chances through injury. I want to get to a stage where I am playing well enough to be picked for that.
"There is going to be a lot of competition this year with Ollie Griffiths coming back from injury, Harrison Keddie had a good end to the season, Ross Moriarty and Huw Taylor coming in, James Thomas is back from injury... there are so many names, so I just have to get stuck into the season and play as well as I can if I get selected.
"I want to establish myself more as a senior figure in the team and establish myself as a regular. With that competition being there, I want to develop and make my mark."
Wainwright got his unexpected chance with Wales thanks to Josh Navidi's injury misfortune but the Dragons man made an impression on boss Warren Gatland by racking up 13 tackles in under half an hour on the field.
"Aaron was saying about having no respect for his own body and just throwing himself into everything and giving 100 per cent," said Gatland at the time.
"As a coach, when you hear that from young players it's great. That's the kind of attitude you're looking for from everyone."
Last week Wainwright returned to pre-season training early and is now eyeing a fast start to the season to stay on the radar of the Wales coaches, who have a glut of back row options despite Sam Warburton's retirement.
"If things go well at the start of the season and I am playing well, hopefully I will get recognition and my name is thrown about for the autumn internationals. That would be a massive high," said Wainwright.
Listen to the Scrum V podcast, also featuring ex-Dragon Dan Lydiate, here
