Potential Cowboys nightmare could become reality if draft rumors are true

While Dallas has filled some holes through trades and free agency, the theme of the offseason thus far has been adding former first-round picks. Between Dante Fowler Jr., Kenneth Murray, Kaiir Elam, Payton Turner and Solomon Thomas, five former first-rounders have joined the roster.

Of them, only Fowler and Thomas currently project to have significant roles. The other three will hopefully develop into role players, but the sheer unknown of Murray, Elam and Turner increases the importance of nailing the No. 12 overall pick.

The Cowboys enter the draft with holes at cornerback, wide receiver, running back, nose tackle and offensive guard. Another edge rusher couldn't hurt as well. Unless Ashton Jeanty or Mason Graham fall to No, 12, the team should probably address RB and NT after round one.

Don't tell that to draft icon Mel Kiper Jr., though. For the third mock draft in a row, Kiper projected North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton to Dallas at No. 12.

Cowboys drafting Omarion Hampton at No. 12 would be disastrous

Kiper mocking Hampton to Dallas doesn't mean it will happen, but Kiper has nailed two of the Cowboys' last three first-round picks in his final mock draft.

You might remember Kiper mocking Tyler Guyton to Dallas last year. Of course, the team traded back from No. 24 and got Guyton at No. 29. Kiper had America's Team taking Notre Dame tight end Michael Mayer in 2023, the year they took Mazi Smith, but he was among the only draft analysts who mocked Tyler Smith to the Cowboys in 2022.

It's apparent that Kiper thinks Dallas has tunnel vision for a running back this year. We're not so sure that's the case, especially given the depth of this class.

While Hampton is a really good RB and considered the second-best prospect at the position behind Jeanty, he is not special enough to be drafted inside the top 15. He has strong odds to be drafted in the first round, but there is a huge difference between taking him at 12 and somewhere in the 20s.

This would be a different conversation if the roster was a RB away from being a contender. That obviously is not the case.

Kiper is not the only draft analyst who has mocked Hampton to Dallas. It's unclear whether that smoke is coming from inside The Star or outside the building, but the two-time defending ACC rushing champ continues to be connected to the Cowboys.

We admittedly are hesitant to buy into the Hampton buzz. However, it is noteworthy and equally unsettling that the most respected analyst/insider in the business, who has connections everywhere around the league, thinks it's a possibility.