Cowboys Eye “Transformative Talent” in Latest 2025 NFL Mock Draft
As the Dallas Cowboys work on securing their next head coach, their focus will soon shift to reshaping their roster for the upcoming season. While free agency will be the first hurdle to clear, February marks the beginning of a critical phase: the NFL Scouting Combine, where the groundwork for the 2025 NFL Draft will be laid.
The Cowboys have historically relied on their drafting prowess rather than making splashy moves in free agency. Although the results have been mixed in recent years, their ability to find promising talent through the draft remains a cornerstone of their roster-building strategy.
This approach could once again pay dividends if the team manages to secure the dynamic player highlighted in Daniel Flick’s latest 2025 NFL Mock Draft for Sports Illustrated. Flick projects the Cowboys to select Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty with the 12th overall pick.
“The Cowboys need playmakers, and running back Rico Dowdle, who surpassed 1,000 rushing yards this season, is set to enter free agency,” Flick noted. “Jeanty dominated college football, leading the nation in rushing by 890 yards. He racked up an astonishing 2,601 yards and 29 touchdowns on 374 carries, the second-highest scoring tally nationally.
“Jeanty has exceptional contact balance, making him difficult to tackle, and he’s equally effective in the passing game. Regardless of who Dallas hires as their head coach, Jeanty would be an instant, game-changing weapon.”
The 2025 NFL Draft could mark a homecoming for Jeanty, who hails from Frisco, Texas, where he starred in high school football. The running back has openly expressed his desire to play for the Cowboys, often referred to as “America’s Team.” His confidence in his ability to elevate Dallas’s offense underscores why he has become a popular projection for the Cowboys in mock drafts.
The major concern, however, is whether Jeanty will still be available when the Cowboys make their selection at No. 12. Recent performances by elite running backs such as Derrick Henry and Saquon Barkley, who revitalized their teams in 2024, could lead to a resurgence in demand for standout backs. If teams view Jeanty as a player of similar caliber, he may not fall as far as Dallas hopes.
Nevertheless, if the Cowboys manage to land Jeanty, he could provide the spark the franchise needs to return to its former glory. His blend of physicality, agility, and playmaking ability makes him a rare talent capable of transforming Dallas’s offense. Whether paired with an established quarterback or integrated into a revamped coaching scheme, Jeanty has the potential to become the centerpiece of the Cowboys’ attack for years to come.
