The Dallas Cowboys’ run game has struggled all season long and is certain to be a priority for the franchise during the offseason.
Paying for a top-end running back paid off for two Super Bowl contenders in the Baltimore Ravens and Philadelphia Eagles this year — as they signed Derrick Henry and Saquon Barkley, respectively, out of free agency. But that path is pricier, not to mention riskier because of the age/wear and tear on the backs available.
A similar value argument can be made against drafting a running back high in the first round, as the position (considered more disposable by NFL teams in recent years) can often be tackled via a two-headed monster composed of younger/cheaper talent. However, there are exceptions to this rule.
Dallas Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle.
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Bijan Robinson of the Atlanta Falcons and Jahmyr Gibbs of the Detroit Lions each went in the top-12 of the 2023 draft and each threatened 1,000 yards rushing in their rookie campaigns. Both are well over 1,000 yards this season and find the end zone with regularity as two of the league’s best at the position. And because they are on rookie deals, both Robinson and Gibbs are among the best running back values in the NFL.
Considering the Cowboys’ desperate need at running back and their substantial financial commitments to quarterback Dak Prescott and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, as well as expensive negotiations with star edge rusher Micah Parsons on the horizon, drafting an elite back in April makes a ton of sense.
Enter Ashton Jeanty of Boise State.
Boise State Broncos running back Ashton Jeanty.
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Josh Edwards of CBS Sports predicted Dallas will draft Jeanty with the No. 14 overall selection in his latest mock draft, published on Thursday, Dec. 19.
“There is not a lot of creativity in projecting Ashton Jeanty to Dallas. The reasons go beyond the Cowboys simply needing a running back, however,” Edwards wrote. “When Dak Prescott was at his best, he had a versatile running back who could also impact the pass game.”
Jeanty finished second in Heisman Trophy voting this year after producing 2,497 rushing yards and 29 rushing touchdowns across 13 games played, per Football Reference. He also caught 20 passes for 116 yards and 1 score, leading Boise State to the Mountain West Conference championship, the No. 3 seed in the College Football Playoff and a bye through the first round of competition.
