Despite limited cap space, the Dallas Cowboys have managed to address several key needs this offseason. However, one glaring hole remains at running back, where the team still lacks a true long-term playmaker. While they added Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders in free agency, neither is viewed as a game-changer. Enter Boise State superstar Ashton Jeanty, a player the Cowboys reportedly have their sights set on in the 2025 NFL Draft. If a new mock draft from Touchdown Wire’s Jarrett Bailey is to be believed, Dallas could make a blockbuster trade with the New York Jets to move up and grab the 56-touchdown collegiate phenom.
Dallas Cowboys set to make bold NFL draft move for Ashton Jeanty
Bailey’s mock draft isn’t just bold—it’s downright chaotic. He projects not one, but two massive trades for the Cowboys inside the top 10. First, Dallas sends picks No. 12, No. 76, and No. 121 to the Las Vegas Raiders in exchange for the No. 6 pick, where they select Arizona wide receiver
Then, Jerry Jones and company pull off another splash move, trading picks No. 44, No. 149, No. 174, a 2026 first-rounder, and wide receiver Jonathan Mingo to the Jets for the No. 7 overall pick. With that selection, Dallas landed Jeanty, widely regarded as the best running back in the draft class and a potential superstar at the next level.
Bailey humorously describes the behind-the-scenes drama of these trades:
“Jerry returns from the restroom just in time to see Roger Goodell announce that the Cowboys drafted McMillan. He furiously chucks a Red Bull can at Stephen before picking up the phone and calling Woody Johnson. In a stroke of genius, and in an attempt to appease his father, Stephen fires up Madden 25 and changes Jonathan Mingo’s overall to a 97. He takes a photo of it, sends it to the Jets’ brass, and Johnson joyfully accepts.”
While this scenario is clearly exaggerated for entertainment, Bailey makes one thing clear: the Cowboys could be aggressive in landing their next star running back.
Is Ashton Jeanty worth the trade-up?
Jeanty isn’t just any running back—he’s a proven three-down workhorse with elite vision, power, and pass-catching ability. He scored 56 total touchdowns in college and has all the tools to be a difference-maker in Brian Schottenheimer’s offense.
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That said, the Cowboys may not need to jump to No. 7 to secure him. There’s a strong chance Jeanty could still be available at No. 12. But if Jerry Jones is as aggressive as Bailey predicts, Cowboys fans could witness one of the wildest draft nights in recent memory.