Cowboys’ Bold Move in the 2025 NFL Draft: Will Omariyon Hampton Be Their Next Star Running Back?

As the Dallas Cowboys enter a new era under head coach Brian Schottenheimer, the franchise finds itself at a crossroads. While the team has seen some improvements, the uncertainty about their direction remains. Once again, Cowboys fans are left wondering whether they will make the right moves to push the team to the next level, especially after another underwhelming offseason. However, the NFL Draft could provide the breakthrough they desperately need. With ten picks at their disposal, the Cowboys have no excuse to pass on top talent to improve both sides of the ball, particularly their running game.

The Cowboys’ Offseason: A Missed Opportunity in Free Agency?

This offseason, the Cowboys’ free-agent moves were met with mixed reactions. They brought in running backs Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders, but these additions didn’t address the critical need for a true game-changing back capable of leading the team’s rushing attack. While both players have potential, neither is the game-breaking force that could help Dak Prescott thrive.

Fans had hoped the Cowboys would pursue a more high-profile running back like Derrick Henry, but that pursuit never materialized. Rico Dowdle, who provided solid production last season with over 1,000 yards, has since moved to the Carolina Panthers, leaving a gap that the Cowboys need to fill. While Williams and Sanders can contribute, they aren’t the answer to Dallas’ long-standing need for a running back who can dominate, much like Ezekiel Elliott did in his prime.

The Solution: A Rookie Running Back to Fill Elliott’s Shoes

With the draft on the horizon, the Cowboys should set their sights on finding the next face of their backfield. Enter Omariyon Hampton, the highly productive running back from the University of North Carolina. Hampton has made a name for himself with his impressive college numbers, and many are predicting he could be the perfect fit for Dallas.

Sayre Beddinger of NFL Spin Zone has suggested that the Cowboys could target Hampton at No. 12 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft. This would be a bold move considering the Cowboys’ recent free-agent signings, but Beddinger argues that Hampton’s talent and the current draft class make it an opportunity that the team can’t afford to pass up.

Why Omariyon Hampton Makes Sense for the Cowboys

Hampton has been nothing short of spectacular over the past two seasons at North Carolina. Rushing for 3,164 yards and 30 touchdowns, he has shown the ability to carry a heavy workload, logging no fewer than 253 carries in each of the last two years. His explosiveness, vision, and power make him a perfect candidate to fill the role that Elliott once did for the Cowboys.

Hampton’s ability to take over games with his powerful runs and breakaway speed draws strong comparisons to Elliott, who was drafted by the Cowboys in 2016. Elliott’s time in Dallas was marked by his dominant performances, especially in his early years, where he was the catalyst for the offense. The Cowboys haven’t had a true bell-cow back since Elliott’s peak years, and Hampton could bring that same level of dominance to the field.

The Parallels Between Hampton and Elliott: A Perfect Fit for Dallas

The parallels between Omariyon Hampton and Ezekiel Elliott are striking. Both players were highly productive in college, carrying their respective teams with heavy workloads. Elliott rushed for over 1,800 yards and 41 touchdowns in his final two years at Ohio State, and his success in Dallas early on made him an indispensable part of the offense. While Elliott’s role has evolved over time, he was instrumental in helping the Cowboys make multiple playoff appearances.

Now, with the Cowboys looking to regain their offensive identity, Hampton could be the missing piece. His ability to excel as both a runner and a pass-catcher out of the backfield would provide the Cowboys with a versatile weapon who could take pressure off Prescott. In today’s NFL, where running backs are again becoming more valued due to their ability to contribute in multiple facets of the game, passing up on a talent like Hampton would be a missed opportunity for Dallas.

The Impact on the Cowboys’ Offense

If the Cowboys do decide to take Hampton with their first-round pick, it would represent a major step in rejuvenating their offense. With the addition of a game-changing running back, the Cowboys could return to a more balanced attack that forces defenses to respect the run game. This would open up more opportunities for Prescott to make plays in the passing game, especially with his strong supporting cast of receivers like CeeDee Lamb.

In addition to improving the running game, Hampton’s presence could also help the Cowboys control the clock and keep their defense fresh. As we saw in 2024, the Cowboys’ defense has the potential to be elite, but they often found themselves in unfavorable situations due to the offense’s inability to sustain drives. A strong, dominant running back like Hampton could address that issue and elevate the team as a whole.

The Risk of Passing on Hampton

While the Cowboys’ front office has made moves to improve their offense this offseason, the decision to bypass a potential star like Omariyon Hampton could come with serious consequences. If the team neglects to address the running back position with such a talented player available at No. 12, they risk entering the 2025 season with the same offensive struggles that have hindered them in recent years.

Running backs like Hampton don’t come around often, and if he’s still on the board when the Cowboys are on the clock, passing on him could be seen as a failure to capitalize on a rare opportunity. The Cowboys have the potential to draft a player who could be the face of their backfield for years to come—just as Elliott once was—and to let that slip away could set the team back significantly.

Conclusion: A Bold Move That Could Shape the Cowboys’ Future

The Dallas Cowboys are at a pivotal point in their franchise’s future, and the decision they make in the 2025 NFL Draft will play a huge role in determining the direction they head. Omariyon Hampton presents a unique opportunity for the team to add a dynamic, game-changing running back who can transform their offense and restore balance to the attack. If the Cowboys are serious about making a run at the Super Bowl, drafting Hampton could be the bold move they need to make.

With a talented roster already in place, adding a star running back like Hampton could give Dallas the final piece it needs to take the offense to the next level. The Cowboys cannot afford to pass on this opportunity—Omariyon Hampton could be the next great running back in Dallas, and his potential impact could be the key to the team’s success in the years to come.