The 2025 NFL Draft is right around the corner and there is surely a large contingent of Dallas Cowboys fans that are manifesting Ashton Jeanty wearing a star on his helmet for the next several years.
Jeanty is arguably one of the five-best players in this draft. Whereas UNC running back Omarion Hampton would be a brutal use of resources with the No. 12 pick, even the anti-RB crowd would have a tough time being angry if Dallas drafts Jeanty.
That obviously depends on who's available at No. 12 overall. Passing on Missouri tackle Armand Membou or Arizona receiver Tetairoa McMllan to draft Jeanty in a historically rich running back class would be a tough pill for some to swallow.
Again, though, Jeanty is such a special talent that it'd be hard to throw a fuss if he's the pick. The new-look Cowboys want to "bring violence" in the run game and Jeanty is a vigorous runner who relishes the opportunity to embarrass would-be tacklers.
It's impossible to say if Jeanty will even fall to Dallas, but it became much more feasible after a stunning decision from the Las Vegas Raiders.
Raiders moving on from Jack Jones opens door for Cowboys to draft Ashton Jeanty
Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported over the weekend that the Raiders are moving on from cornerback Jack Jones.
The Raiders will try to trade Jones. A fourth-round pick of the Patriots in 2022, Jones will be released no later than Monday if Las Vegas can't find a trade partner. Whether he's traded or cut, Jones' inevitable departure will put the Raiders' cornerback room in dire straits.
The depth chart is currently composed of 2023 fourth-round pick Jakorian Bennett, who's coming off IR, 2024 fourth-round pick Decamerion Richardson, Eric Stokes, who played just 54% of the snaps for the Packers last season, and Darnay Holmes, who started just one game in 2024.
It's one of the worst cornerback rooms in the league, if not the worst. You have to think the Raiders will target a CB in the first round. Michigan standout Will Johnson and the versatile Jahdae Barron out of Texas could both be in play.
Jeanty has been mocked to Las Vegas more than any team over the last two months. It's no secret that Pete Carroll likes to run the football, but he and general manager John Spytek may have to forgo their Jeanty dream and target a cornerback early if they intend to compete in 2025.
After all, they play in a division with Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert and Bo Nix, who accounted for over 30 touchdowns as a rookie. The AFC also boasts talents like Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow, C.J. Stroud, Trevor Lawrence and Tua Tagovailoa.
While dynamic, Jeanty would be a very shortsighted pick for Las Vegas at sixth overall. The same could be said for Dallas, but it would be much easier for Jerry Jones and Co. to justify drafting the Boise State phenom in round one.
