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College Phenom Showing Major Interest in Cowboys Ahead of Draft

Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty has shown some interest in joining the Dallas Cowboys ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft.

By Devon Platana

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones talks to the media before the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at AT&T Stadium.
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones talks to the media before the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at AT&T Stadium. / Tim Heitman-Imagn Images
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The Dallas Cowboys have been marred by an anemic backfield throughout the 2024 NFL season. Try as they might, the Cowboys have been unable to get anything going on the ground. They're heading into their Week 8 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers averaging the fewest rushing yards per game and yards per carry in the league.

Chances are that the Cowboys' running back room won't improve this season, leaving fans to look ahead to next year — specifically, the 2025 NFL Draft. After all, Jerry Jones will have plenty of options to address the backfield situation come April with several talented RB prospects on the board, including one who's showing interest in playing for America's Team.

NFL Draft News: Boise State's Ashton Jeanty Interested in Playing for Cowboys

College football phenom Ashton Jeanty discussed potential NFL homes during a live stream over the weekend. After discussing whether the Chicago Bears or Kansas City Chiefs would be good fits for him, the Boise State RB discussed the possibility of joining the Cowboys.

"I'm not saying [the Cowboys] aren't a good fit. I'm not saying that at all," Jeanty said during the stream. "I played in Frisco, I played in their practice stadium. I would be a hometown hero if I went there."

It isn't hard to imagine why Jeanty would be thrilled about potentially playing for the Cowboys one day. The 20-year-old prodigy played football at Lone Star High School, which is only about a 45-minute drive north of AT&T Stadium.

On the flip side, it also isn't difficult to understand why the Cowboys would love to draft Jeanty next year. The 2023 MWC Offensive Player of the Year has dominated the NCAAF this fall, racking up 1,248 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns on 126 carries across six games. He's yet to rush for fewer than 127 yards in a game this season and has already smashed the 200-yard mark three times.

It's a stark contrast to the production that Dallas has been getting from its backfield. Rico Dowdle and Ezekiel Elliott have combined for just 361 rushing yards in six games, which equates to an average of only 60.2 per outing.

The main thing standing in the Cowboys' way of drafting Jeanty is whether or not they have a high enough draft pick to do so. According to ESPN's latest draft board, Jeanty is currently the No. 16 prospect in 2025. Interestingly enough, Dallas would own the 16th overall pick if the 2024 season ended today.

Things can change drastically between now and April, so it remains to be seen if the Cowboys will have a shot at adding Jeanty. Assuming that they do, the 5-foot-9, 215-pound runner has the potential to lead Dallas' backfield for years to come.

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