The Dallas Cowboys are no strangers to bold draft-day moves, and former NFL quarterback and analyst David Carr believes it’s time for owner Jerry Jones to make another one.
In a draft debate that featured potential trades that could shake up Round 1, Carr suggested the Cowboys should seriously consider trading up in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft to grab Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty, the Heisman Trophy runner-up and one of the most dynamic offensive weapons in this year’s class.
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has a history of making splashy moves for offensive talent. He jumped up the draft board for Hall of Fame running back Emmitt Smith (No. 17 overall in 1990) and star wide receiver Dez Bryant (No. 24 in 2010). Now, he could look to fill Dallas’ major need at running back with Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty — though the Cowboys likely would have to trade up from No. 12 overall into the top 10 in order to land the Heisman runner-up. Jeanty would immediately boost a run game that ranked 27th last season.
Despite Dallas signing veterans Miles Sanders and Javonte Williams, the team lacks a proven bell-cow back on the roster, the Cowboys enter the draft with a glaring need in the backfield. Last season, the team ranked 27th in rushing yards, an uncharacteristically low mark for a franchise that once prided itself on ground-and-pound football.
The Cowboys met with Jeanty at Dallas Day on April 4, when prospects from the immediate area can come in to team facilities as a group and meet with the brass and coaching staff.
Jeanty isn’t just a traditional runner. The Boise State standout logged over 2,601 yards rushing and accounted for 29 touchdowns last season in 14 games played. His vision, burst, and explosiveness make him a three-down threat and an instant upgrade to Dallas’ offense, particularly for a team looking to ease the load on quarterback Dak Prescott who is returning from a season ending hamstring injury. However, with Jeanty projected to go inside the top 10, Dallas (currently slotted at No. 12 overall) could likely have to package picks or to move up, potentially into the 7–9 range, depending on how the draft board shakes out.
Why not. Here is 64 minutes and 31 seconds of Ashton Jeanty running the football. pic.twitter.com/0W2Fr34AiU
— Boise State Football (@BroncoSportsFB) April 15, 2025
The Cowboys have pressing needs on both lines of scrimmage, and recently Executive VP Stephen Jones spoke against the team trading up, but securing a true game-changer at running back could be the move that reignites Dallas’ offensive identity and one that could make new head coach Brian Schottenheimer’s offensive vision come true in his first season.
Follow Cowboys Wire on Facebook to join in on the conversation with fellow fans!
This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Should the Cowboys make a bold Draft-Day move? David Carr thinks so