Following the Philadelphia Eagles’ triumph with Saquon Barkley, numerous teams are now eager to secure a running back capable of delivering similar elite performances.

Recently, there’s been speculation about the Dallas Cowboys making a bold move in the NFL Draft by selecting the top contender in this position. While some critics might label it ‘a poor choice,’ Jerry Jones’ squad could be poised to go all-in to acquire Ashton Jeanty, a player whose college career even eclipsed Saquon Barkley’s achievements.

The Premier RB Prospect Since Saquon Barkley

The Dallas Cowboys hold the 12th overall pick in the forthcoming NFL Draft. Although they might consider trading up, it wouldn’t be surprising if Ashton Jeanty remains available at that point—a prospect the team’s management can’t overlook.

During his tenure at Boise State, Ashton Jeanty amassed an impressive 4,769 rushing yards over three seasons, securing a spot as a Heisman Trophy finalist after accumulating 2,601 yards in his final year alone, with an average of 7.0 yards per carry—a figure exceeding Saquon Barkley’s average by over a yard in his final season at Penn State.

In fact, Jeanty surpassed the Eagles’ star by more than 900 rushing yards, given that Barkley concluded his collegiate career with 3,843 yards. Regarding touchdowns, the former Boise State sensation tallied 50, compared to Barkley’s 43. Although the NFL presents a different challenge from college football, these statistics suggest a bright future for the running back ‘everyone wants.’

When comparing him to another top NFL rusher like Bijan Robinson, Jeanty’s college stats hold up well. In his peak season, he achieved a 39.2% Missed Tackles Forced rate in 2024, closely rivaling Robinson’s 40.4% with the Atlanta Falcons, while Barkley recorded 32.2%.