The Dallas Cowboys may be falling behind in the NFC East. The Philadelphia Eagles just won the Super Bowl and have the pieces to compete for multiple championships. The Washington Commanders are an up-and-coming team that had 12 wins a season ago, making it to the NFC Championship Game.
Jerry Jones and the Cowboys must make significant upgrades to a team that won seven games in 2024 to stay relevant in the division. The Cowboys’ defense was mediocre last season, but much of that was credited to key contributors such as Micah Parsons, Trevon Diggs, DeMarcus Lawrence, and DaRon Bland missing time due to injuries. The offense was arguably more disappointing even before quarterback Dak Prescott was shut down for the season after eight games.
Dallas Cowboys Should Draft Ashton Jeanty And Sign Aaron Jones To Bolster Running Back Room
The Cowboys had the 17th-ranked offense in 2024, including the 27th-ranked rushing offense. The unit needs a spark to revitalize its success.
The Cowboys signed running back Rico Dowdle as an undrafted free agent in 2020, but he never had more than 89 carries in a season until 2024. The 26-year-old enjoyed a breakout season as the Cowboys’ lead back, rushing for 1,079 yards on 235 attempts. He proved effective in the passing game, catching 39 balls for 249 yards.
Dowdle is set to become a free agent when the new league begins on March 12. His success in 2024, age, and relatively low mileage throughout four NFL seasons, may make him a hot commodity on the free agent market among running back-needy teams.
The Cowboys hold the 12th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft and have the eighth-most cap space, according to Over the Cap. The organization would be wise to address the running back room with its resources.
Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty has been one of the most frequent prospects linked to the Cowboys in this year’s draft. The 2024 Heisman Trophy runner-up put together a historic 2024 season. Jeanty led the FBS in attempts (374) and rushing yards (2,601). He had a conference-leading 29 rushing touchdowns and averaged 185.8 rushing yards per game.
Jeanty plays a position of need for the Cowboys and would generate the spark that the offense is looking for. With not much in their current running back room and Jeanty’s high volume during his three-year collegiate career (750 carries and 830 touches), the Cowboys would benefit from signing a veteran like Aaron Jones.
Jones is a proven dynamic running back. The former fifth-round pick spent his first seven years in Green Bay, totaling 8,016 yards from scrimmage and 63 touchdowns. Jones signed a one-year, $7 million contract with the Minnesota Vikings in 2024, rushing for 1,138 yards and five touchdowns. The 30-year-old had 408 receiving yards and two touchdowns through the air.
Ashton Jeanty And Aaron Jones Bring Similar Results As Lions’ Jahmyr Gibbs And David Montgomery
The Lions had the second-ranked offense in 2024, including the sixth-ranked rushing offense. Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery make up the best 1-2 punch at the running back position in the NFL. The duo has combined for 4,147 rushing yards and 56 total touchdowns since paring up in 2023.
Gibbs is a speedy, big-play running back while Montgomery offers more of a power dynamic. The teammates are referred to as Sonic and Knuckles from the iconic video game series, referencing their skill sets and success.
The Cowboys are in a prime position to have their version of Sonic and Knuckles if they draft Jeanty with the 12th overall pick and sign Jones in free agency. Jeanty projects to be bonafide RB1 in the NFL with All-Pro potential, but he’d benefit from playing alongside a veteran with Jones’ skill set to begin his professional career. The Cowboys could likely bring Jones in on an affordable one-to-two-year deal, creating a prolific offense with All-Pro wide receiver CeeDee Lamb.
