It's not often that you can call your shot on a team and player six months away from any respective NFL Draft, but the top target for the Dallas Cowboys in the 2025 NFL Draft could not be more obvious.
And from the sounds of things, Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty has already pictured himself playing in Dallas at the next level...
Jeanty is the best player in college football in 2024, regardless of position. He's legitimately an NFL running back out there playing with college guys, and the way that he's dominating week after week is indicative that the college eligibility rules are overcooking him a bit. He's been ready for the NFL, and he would easily be the RB1 on the Cowboys right now.
With the Cowboys poised to be picking in the top 10-15 picks of the 2025 NFL Draft the way things are trending, Jeanty is already doing his part to send the team a clear message. He knows he can help Dallas immediately.
Ashton Jeanty sends the Cowboys a message ahead of 2025 NFL Draft
Ashton Jeanty wants to be in Dallas and play for the Cowboys. 🤠 pic.twitter.com/o8iYiwHY7N
— theScore (@theScore) November 14, 2024
Jeanty was already the Mountain West Conference Offensive Player of the Year last year when he racked up over 1,900 yards from scrimmage and 19 total touchdowns. He's already nearly matched that production in just nine games this season, and in some ways has exceeded it.
Jeanty has racked up over 1,800 yards from scrimmage and a whopping 24 total touchdowns in 2024. He's got 23 touchdowns on the ground and despite opposing teams knowing who is getting the ball, Jeanty has averaged 7.7 yards per carry and 192.7 yards per game. It's why he's firmly in the discussion for the Heisman Trophy.
Meanwhile, the Cowboys are rolling with Rico Dowdle as their No. 1 running back over the All-2017 crew of Ezekiel Elliott and Dalvin Cook. Things haven't worked out with Deuce Vaughn, either.
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With all due respect to Dowdle, who does have talent and would work well in a rotation, the Cowboys desperately need a back like Jeanty in the fold.
The Cowboys haven't had a top-10 pick since 2016 when, ironically, they used their selection on Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott. And with the money they have handed out to Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb, they are perhaps in a rare position to be able to afford a selection like this. Especially because they’ve now got a left tackle on a rookie contract as well.
Running back is not one of those positions in the NFL right now that is allowing teams to really take advantage of the rookie wage scale, but just look around the league at the type of impact running backs are having for some of the league's best teams. Heck, look at the impact of Saquon Barkley on Dallas' division rival Eagles. Look at Derrick Henry with the Ravens.
Running backs have been getting significantly devalued in the NFL Draft in recent years but a playmaker like Jeanty will be the exception to the unwritten rule. He's going to be coveted by NFL teams and there's no better fit in the early portion of the first round than the Dallas Cowboys.