A recent mock draft projects the Dallas Cowboys will select a record-breaking running back with their first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
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In his mock draft, PFSN’s Marco Enriquez has the Cowboys taking Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty with the No. 12 overall pick.
“Ashton Jeanty is a nimble, agile runner with elite vision. His ability to identify and exploit running lanes is exceptional. Last year, he forced 163 missed tackles, breaking the FBS single-season record. For context, Bijan Robinson forced 112 missed tackles in 2022,” Enriquez noted.
Dallas is one of the more probable landing spots for Jeanty, along with the Denver Broncos, Las Vegas Raiders, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Chicago Bears.
What Makes Ashton Jeanty a Top Prospect in the 2025 NFL Draft?
Jeanty is widely regarded as one of the top running backs in this year’s draft class. In his scouting report on Jeanty for PFSN, analyst Brentley Weissman described him as, “a rare playmaker at the position who does all the little things well while also offering game-breaking home-run ability.”
During the 2024 season, Jeanty led the nation in touchdowns from scrimmage and rushing yards, surpassing 2,600 yards — narrowly missing Barry Sanders’ single-season record. The All-American also won the Maxwell and Doak Walker awards and finished second in Heisman voting.
Pro Football Focus ranked Jeanty as the second-best college football player of 2024, highlighting his exceptional yards after contact and ability to make defenders miss.
Cowboys’ Needs and Challenges
The Cowboys appear to be in crisis mode heading into the 2025 season. Once a strength, their offensive line has become a concern following the retirement of future Hall of Famer Zack Martin and the struggles of first-round pick Tyler Guyton.
In PFSN’s rankings of offensive lines for 2024, Dallas finished 17th. Analyst Ben Rolfe noted, “Dallas ranks third in the NFL in pressure rate (27.6%) but is a unit helped by a quick-release passing game. That may have been introduced out of necessity, with PBWR ranking them 24th, suggesting that the Cowboys’ offensive line can struggle to sustain blocks for longer reps.”
Rolfe added, “Dallas’ run game has struggled this season (2024), and with mixed outputs so far, the OL metrics may indicate why. The Cowboys rank 18th in RBYBC/rush (0.87) and fifth in RBWR.”
Beyond the offensive line, the Cowboys also have pressing needs on defense. Their front seven requires significant upgrades, and their overall defensive unit struggled in 2024. Dallas ranked 25th in PFSN’s Defensive Rankings, earning a D+ grade. Analyst Sterling Xie explained, “Dallas fell from eighth in EPA per dropback last season to 16th this season. Coupled with the second-worst run defense by EPA per rush, that explains the Cowboys’ descent into the bottom 10 defenses.”
Should the Cowboys Draft Jeanty or Address Other Needs?
Selecting a workhorse running back like Jeanty could help mask some of Dallas’ offensive line struggles. However, prioritizing Jeanty over other positions of need would follow the Cowboys’ pattern of selecting high-profile skill players rather than addressing foundational roster concerns.
Jeanty’s talent is undeniable, but the Cowboys’ long-term success may hinge on fixing their offensive line and shoring up their defense. If Dallas selects Jeanty, it will signal their continued commitment to a high-powered offense — whether or not that strategy proves successful remains to be seen.