The Dallas Cowboys made up for their past offensive sins, but it was just one offseason too late
Heading into the 2024 NFL season, everyone and their mother knew that the Dallas Cowboys needed a running back desperately. After Tony Pollard left in free agency, there didn’t seem to be a legitimate replacement answer on the roster. Through four games, it has been even worse, or at least as bad, as we feared. […]
Heading into the 2024 NFL season, everyone and their mother knew that the Dallas Cowboys needed a running back desperately. After Tony Pollard left in free agency, there didn’t seem to be a legitimate replacement answer on the roster. Through four games, it has been even worse, or at least as bad, as we feared.
The Cowboys leading rusher right now is Rico Dowdle, who has rushed for 134 yards, averaging just 3.9 yards per carry. Between Ezekiel Elliott, Deuce Vaughn, and Hunter Luepke, they have chipped in with another 109 yards, including a stellar 3.3 yards per carry. Dallas just can’t run the football, like everyone expected.
Despite it being one of the bigger needs this offseason, the Cowboys routinely balked at improving the running back room. Their huge addition was Elliott, who everyone knew was most likely cooked. Breaking news; he was.
In a recent Yahoo Sports 2025 NFL mock draft, Charles McDonald and Nate Tice collaborated to forecast the first round this April. Surprise, surprise, they had the Cowboys taking a running back. With the No. 14 overall selection, they selected Boise State star Ashton Jeanty.
Here is what they had to say about Jeanty, and his fit in Dallas.
“That’s right, nerds. Running backs are back. Embrace it. The Cowboys take another trip to the first-round RB well and come away with the nation’s most productive back through the first portion of the season. Jeanty has 180 more yards than the second-place rusher in the country and is currently averaging 10.3 yards per carry — and that includes a 192-yard, three-touchdown performance against Oregon.”
It’s hard to argue against this section. Jeanty has the look of a top ten overall prospect in the 2025 NFL Draft class, and has been on a tear this season. Jeanty brings the contact balance, explosiveness, and three-down skill set to be worthy of a top 15 selection. He’s a star in the making.
For Cowboys fans, it’s a welcomed addition. However, it’s also a reminder for the team’s missteps this past offseason. The offense has all the tools to be outstanding, but the inability to be a balanced unit holds it back. At least the Jeanty selection makes up for the past sins, although it is a bit late.
