Omarion Hampton might be the Cowboys’ preferred choice to shore up their running back depth in the 2025 NFL Draft, but not everyone’s sold on the idea of taking him in the first round. According to Pro Football Focus, Dallas should think twice before using their No. 12 pick on a back who isn’t considered one of the top-tier talents in this year’s deep class.
The 2025 draft pool is absolutely stacked with running back talent. Ashton Jeanty, Cam Skattebo, and Quinshon Judkins are all drawing first-round buzz, with Jeanty leading the charge as a player many see as a top-15 lock. Despite a strong college résumé, Hampton isn’t consistently mentioned in the same breath.
PFF Questions Cowboys’ Draft Fit for Omarion Hampton
In PFF’s latest mock draft, the Cowboys are projected to take Hampton at No. 12, but during a recent episode of the “PFF College Football Show,” one of their analysts had a pretty clear take: it’s a reach.
“At number 12, Omarion Hampton is going to the Cowboys,” the analyst predicted. “I think Ashton Jeanty is worth the top 10 or 15 picks because of how special he is. I don’t think Omarion Hampton is that level player, and with how deep [this] class is, I don’t think it’s worth forcing one at No. 12 overall. So I don’t love that. I just don’t think taking a running back other than Ashton Jeanty at No. 12 would be a smart move for Dallas.”
To be clear, the criticism wasn’t about Hampton’s long-term upside. It’s more about the value the Cowboys could pass up by reaching that spot. The analyst went on to say that plenty of quality backs could be available later on.
“There are so many guys you can get in the second round of this draft, even the third or fourth round,” he said. “They’re gonna be really good backs in the NFL. I think there [are] like 20 to 25 backs who I think could be at least really good complimentary options in the NFL.”
Hampton put up impressive numbers at North Carolina — 3,565 rushing yards and 36 touchdowns on 622 carries across three seasons. He’s got the production, no doubt.
But the Cowboys just added Javonte Williams in free agency, which could ease the urgency to go running back early. That opens the door for Dallas to target a playmaker at another position.
Pro Football Network’s 2025 mock draft has Dallas taking Texas wide receiver Matthew Golden at No. 12 instead, with Hampton sliding to the Broncos at No. 20.
“Dallas has been yearning for a productive wide receiver to play opposite CeeDee Lamb for years. Dak Prescott was always at his best when he had two legitimate options in the passing game, and I expect the Dallas Cowboys to prioritize this in the draft.
Matthew Golden is an exciting receiver prospect with few weaknesses. He is smooth and sudden as a route runner and excellent with the ball in his hands. He would be a perfect fit next to Lamb” wrote Weissman.