Todd McShay NFL Mock Draft 2025: Ashton Jeanty to Raiders, Matthew Golden to Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys missed out on the two best options to strengthen their backfield in the newest 2025 NFL mock draft from The Ringer's Todd McShay.

In his mock 2.0 published Thursday, McShay had the Las Vegas Raiders picking Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty sixth overall. With North Carolina's Omarion Hampton subsequently off the board, the Cowboys took Texas wide receiver Matthew Golden.

A lot of Dallas fans are probably hopeful Jeanty makes it to the No. 12 pick. Despite adding both Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders this offseason, the team needs a true No. 1 option on the ground, and the reigning Doak Walker Award would be just that.

Unfotunately for the Cowboys, a trade up the board might be required in order to secure Jeanty's services. In Bleacher Report's newest mock draft, he went 10th to the Chicago Bears, which is where Hampton landed in McShay's projection.

The draft guru had Miami quarterback Cam Ward and Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders going first and second respectively, meaning Las Vegas pivoted to another position.

Las Vegas ranked last in both average rushing yards (79.8) and yards per carry (3.6) in 2024. The offense sorely missed Josh Jacobs, who ran for 1,329 yards and 15 touchdowns with the Green Bay Packers en route to a third Pro Bowl nod.

In Jeanty, the Raiders would be getting a potentially elite ball-carrier to address what's a glaring concern.

For the Cowboys, Golden is an increasingly popular pick. He was also the choice in B/R's mock along with the newest update from NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah.

In his lone season with the Longhorns, Golden caught 58 passes for 987 yards and nine touchdowns. The 4.29-second 40-yard dash he ran at the NFL Scouting Combine showed the danger he may pose to NFL secondaries.

When No. 2 receivers can cost as much as $28.8 million now, the draft is the most cost-effective way for Dallas to take some of the pressure off four-time Pro Bowler CeeDee Lamb.