The Dallas Cowboys have been struggling with a running back issue, and NFL analyst Kris Knox believes they may have a potential solution on the horizon. Despite several challenges, including the season-ending injury to quarterback Dak Prescott, Knox suggests that a key player could help resolve the team’s offensive imbalance, particularly at running back.
In his November 25 article for Bleacher Report, Knox proposes that the Cowboys could find their answer in the 2025 NFL Draft by selecting Ashton Jeanty, a standout running back from Boise State. The Cowboys did not prioritize the running back position in the offseason, a decision that has since contributed to their offensive struggles. Knox argues that using a top-10 draft pick on a player like Jeanty could be the fix the team needs.
Jeanty is highly regarded for his ability to create plays on his own. According to NFL scout Dame Parson, Jeanty’s skills make him a “star-caliber bell-cow running back” capable of handling a heavy workload in today’s NFL offenses, including wide zone and pin-pull gap schemes. Knox points out that while Jeanty alone may not elevate the Cowboys to title contenders, pairing him with key players like Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, and Jake Ferguson would make the offense much more exciting to watch.
Jeanty’s potential is not just a talking point among analysts. In a mock 2025 NFL Draft for PFF, writer Gordon McGuinness also has the Cowboys selecting Jeanty at No. 11. McGuinness notes Jeanty’s impressive consistency, with over 90.0 PFF rushing grades in each of the past three seasons.
Additionally, USA Today’s Mark Giannotto highlights Jeanty as a potential Heisman Trophy contender, with the running back surpassing 2,000 yards in the 2024 season while leading Boise State toward a possible College Football Playoff berth.
