Which running back do you want the Cowboys to draft this year?
We are just over four months away from the 2025 NFL Draft. With the Dallas Cowboys owning the 12th overall pick, there have been plenty of discussions around the Cowboys spending their first-round pick on Boise State RB Ashton Jeanty. While Jeanty is one of the most talented players in the 2025 draft class, the running back group is one of the deepest as well.
With so many holes on both sides of the ball, the Cowboys are in prime position to bolster their wide receiver room, offensive line, or pass rush with three picks in the top 100. There is no denying that wide receiver, offensive line, and defensive end are more valuable positions than running back, and the Cowboys would be wise to use their premium pick on one of those positions, given how deep this running back class is.
Here is a list of the top 15 running backs in the 2025 NFL Draft and where they are ranked according to Pro Football Focus’ draft board as of today:
1. Ashton Jeanty, 5th overall
2. Omarion Hampton, 24th overall
3. Cam Skattebo, 48th overall
4. Dylan Sampson, 53rd overall
5. Kaleb Johnson, 59th overall
6. TreVeyon Henderson, 76th overall
7. Devin Neal, 85th overall
8. Quinshon Judkins, 87th overall
9. RJ Harvey, 94th overall
10. DJ Giddens, 99th overall
11. Kaytron Allen, 108th overall
12. Jarquez Hunter, 112th overall
13. Nichols Singleton, 113th overall
14. Kalel Mullings, 116th overall
15. Damien Martinez, 120th overall
The Cowboys are coming off a season where Rico Dowdle posted the seventh-highest success rate in the NFL after splitting carries with Ezekiel Elliott over the first part of the season. With Dowdle hitting free agency and likely to receive outside interest, Dallas could be looking to replace Dowdle, but even if Dowdle is brought back, they will need to add another back with some much needed “juice” to the roster.
The Cowboys currently hold three picks inside the top 100 and are without a fourth-round pick due to the Jonathan Mingo trade. For as deep as the running back class is, the wide receiver, offensive line, edge rusher, and defensive tackle class lacks depth outside of the top 75. With that being the case, Dallas would be wise to use that 12th overall pick on one of the more blue-chip positions and wait to add a runner on day two.
There is an exception to every rule, and in this case if Jeanty is far-and-away the best player available when the Cowboys are on the clock at 12, he should be the pick. But the Cowboys should not make the same mistake they made in 2016 and take a running back over similarly-graded players at more premium positions (Jalen Ramsey and Joey Bosa).
