With a multitude of roster weaknesses and a staggering number of impending free agents, the Dallas Cowboys are backed into a corner as far as needing to spend some semblance of cash in free agency.
They simply cannot rely solely on the NFL Draft to plug said gaps. While trotting out rookies is the cheapest solution to roster questions, Dallas currently needs starters at defensive tackle, cornerback, linebacker, running back and wide receiver.
In a perfect world, the Cowboys will re-sign Osa Odighizuwa and Jourdan Lewis to shore up DT and cornerback. They need to do more than that in free agency, but bringing back those centerpieces will at least give them more flexibility heading into the draft.
That's a good thing because the No. 12 overall pick creates a world of opportunities for the Cowboys' draft team. Fans' biggest fear is Jerry Jones intervening and overruling the war room. That nightmare may come true based on ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper Jr.'s latest pre-combine mock.
Cowboys make unforgivable pick in Mel Kiper's new mock draft
Kiper mocked Missouri wide receiver Luther Burden to Dallas in his initial mock, but he pivoted to running back this time around, and not Boise State phenom Ashton Jeanty.
With Jeanty off the board at No. 6 overall to the Raiders, Kiper believes UNC running back Omarion Hampton (!) is in play for the Cowboys with the 12th pick.
A number of Kiper's sources have Jeanty and Hampton "neck and neck" for RB1 in this class. Some of them even prefer Hampton. Kiper knows that Brian Schottenheimer wants to establish the run and noted the team's history drafting running backs high (see Ezekiel Elliott in 2016).
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While Hampton may end up as a first-round pick when all is said and done, it would be impossible to defend using the 12th pick on him. Even if the Cowboys traded back twice in the first round and took Hampton it would be hard to rationalize. This year's running back class is incredibly rich; historically deep class according to most experts. Potential starters can be found on day three.
Hampton would be enticing for Dallas in the second round, where they own the No. 44 pick. The former Tar Heel can be a three-down back from day one.
He ranked in the 97th percentile last season in yards after contact per carry, per PFF, and his production wasn't impacted by star quarterback Drake May declaring for the draft in 2024, as evidenced by his ACC-leading 1,660 rushing yards and 15 rushing touchdowns.
While Hampton's elusiveness and long speed doesn't pop on film, he has excellent vision and his ability to decelerate and change direction might be second-best in this class only to Jeanty. There isn't a single hole in his game.
Again, though, the No. 12 pick is simply too rich for our liking. This RB class is so loaded that the Cowboys would be better off using their first-round pick on a wide receiver, cornerback or to beef up the offensive or defensive line.
Of course, Jerry Jones is crazy enough to follow Kiper's advice so it's impossible to fully rule out Hampton in round one.
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