It would be a fairly big surprise if the Dallas Cowboys do not take an offensive skill player with their 2025 first-round pick.
The Cowboys had the third-fewest yards per carry in 2024, then lost leading rusher Rico Dowdle in free agency. They replaced Dowdle with Javonte Williams, who may be younger and cheaper, but hasn’t proven to be any more efficient so far in his career.
Dallas also has only one reliable receiver, so it would surprise few if they went the pass-catcher route with the number-12 pick in the first round. But let us explore the running back options for now.
Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty is the consensus top running back in the class, coming off a 2,601-yard rushing performance this season and a Heisman Trophy runner-up. But if Jeanty is off the board, could the Cowboys still reach for a rusher?
Ryan Fowler of the Draft Network believes that’s exactly what Dallas will do. On Tuesday, Fowler predicted the Cowboys would draft North Carolina’s Omarion Hamption at 12.
“Dallas has been, and will always be, about splash as long as Jerry Jones is running things. However, this actually makes a whole lot of sense considering the hole on the roster,” Fowler wrote.
“Dallas added Javonte Williams in free agency, but Omarion Hampton is an entirely different cat with the ability to headline an NFL backfield from day one. My personal RB1 in the class, Hampton is an explosive, nuanced, and physical ball-carrier that continued to check off boxes in Indianapolis by running 4.46 in the 40 with a 38-inch vert and 10-foot-10 broad jump.”
Hampton, 22, had a fantastic season with the Tar Heels, racking up 1,660 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns on 5.9 yards per carry. The 6-foot, 220-pounder has the build to withstand heavy workloads for full NFL-length seasons.
Drafting running backs high has become a source of some controversy over the last few seasons, but it makes particular sense for the Cowboys, who failed to pursue superstars Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry last offseason.
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