Ashton Jeanty stands out as the top running back in this year’s NFL Draft, with the Dallas Cowboys emerging as a leading contender to select the Boise State superstar as the 2025 Draft approaches. Jeanty, originally from Jacksonville, moved to Texas during his childhood and played high school football in the Lone Star State. Thus, a selection by the Cowboys would hold significant meaning for him.
However, one Cowboys legend offered a word of caution this week. Emmitt Smith, a three-time Super Bowl champion and the all-time rushing yards leader, is an iconic figure in the Cowboys’ history. His opinion resonates deeply with fans, making it noteworthy when he expressed reservations about Jeanty potentially joining Dallas. During an appearance on Maggie & Perloff on Radio Row in New Orleans, Smith warned that drafting Jeanty at this moment could be a mistake. “If he comes to the Cowboys right now, he’s going to get beat up. I don’t think we’re ready,” Smith stated via On3. “We don’t have the right mindset. We don’t have the right commitments. I just talked about commitments and being [misaligned]. I think we are drafting exciting pieces… that would get fans, ‘Oh, we got Ashton Jeanty, oh, we’re going to be able to run the ball.’”
Smith’s caution should not be interpreted as a slight against Jeanty; rather, it reflects a pragmatic view. He makes a valid point about the Cowboys’ need for improved infrastructure and help on the offensive line. A decade ago, the team boasted a formidable line that was crucial to their run game, and Smith suggests that addressing those foundational concerns should take precedence.
As Draft Day approaches, it will be interesting to see how Dallas handles their strategy.
