NFL Insider: Cowboys 'Likely' to Pass on Ashton Jeanty with No. 12 Pick in 2025 Draft

While the running back position figures to be an area the Dallas Cowboys address this offseason, they might turn their focus to a different need in the first round of the 2025 NFL draft.

The Athletic's Jon Machota reported Monday that "it's sounding more likely they will go in a different direction" with the No. 12 pick than Boise State star Ashton Jeanty. He added that Dallas taking a running back in the second or third round "seems like a better bet."

The Cowboys will be on the clock in the second round with the No. 44 overall selection. By that point, Jeanty figures to be gone. He's the ninth-best player on Bleacher Report's big board, though he was absent in B/R's most recent first-round mock.

Should the Maxwell Award winner make it to Day 2, it's hard to see 10 more teams passing on him before it's Dallas' turn again.

Last year, Jonathon Brooks went 46th to the Carolina Panthers despite the fact he was coming off a torn ACL. The 2023 draft saw Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs both off the board within the first 12 picks.

Some Cowboys fans will inevitably be disappointed if Jeanty isn't the ultimate choice. He's one of the most entertaining talents in the 2025 class.

But Dallas isn't an elite running back away from winning a Super Bowl. It could use reinforcements on the interior of its offensive and defensive lines. Some help to ease the pressure on wide receiver CeeDee Lamb would be nice. The secondary will have a void at cornerback if Jourdan Lewis leaves as a free agent.

In terms of maximizing its value in the first round, taking one of the best offensive linemen on the board might be a smarter play over picking Jeanty.