The Dallas Cowboys are set to get a more detailed look at Ashton Jeanty ahead of this year’s NFL Draft. According to Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News, the ex-Boise State running back will be visiting the Cowboys on Friday, April 4. Jeanty has strong ties to the Dallas region, having played high school football at Lone Star High School in Frisco, Texas.

During his final high school year, Jeanty amassed 1,843 rushing yards and scored 41 touchdowns. Given this and the Cowboys’ need for a transformative running back, there’s been speculation about Jeanty joining the team this fall. In January, Jeanty spoke to On3 regarding the possibility of the Cowboys selecting him with their 12th overall pick in the draft.

“I’m very confident and feel it’s the right match,” Jeanty shared with On3. “Not every team is the ideal fit, but I believe the Cowboys would be excellent since they need a running back and having someone from the area could offer something unique. However, things might unfold differently. Still, I think I’m high on their list.”

Why the Cowboys are unlikely to draft Ashton Jeanty: The Cowboys could benefit greatly from drafting Jeanty. Nonetheless, he might be unavailable by the time the Cowboys make their selection. In the latest mock draft by Mel Kiper, Jeanty is projected to be picked by the Las Vegas Raiders at No. 6 overall.

Former Cowboys running back and NFL Hall of Famer Emmit Smith expressed that the team might not be ready for a player like Jeanty. “If he joins the Cowboys now, he’ll face tough times,” Smith mentioned to Maggie and Perloff in February.

“I don’t think we’re prepared. We lack the right mindset and commitments. I recently discussed the importance of commitments and how we’re out of alignment. I think we’re drafting exciting elements… that will thrill fans, ‘Oh, we got Ashton Jeanty, oh, we’ll be able to run the ball.'”

Ashton Jeanty had an outstanding 2024 season at Boise State. He concluded the season with 2,601 rushing yards and 29 rushing touchdowns on 374 carries. Jeanty was unanimously named an All-American, won the Maxwell and Doak Walker Awards, and finished as the runner-up in the Heisman Trophy voting.