Dan Graziano believes Ashton Jeanty could be a 'superstar playmaker' for Dallas Cowboys

If the Cowboys set it up beforehand, Dan Graziano thinks RB Ashton Jeanty would do well if he’s drafted by Dallas.

Graziano reacted to the idea of Dallas selecting Jeanty in the 2025 NFL Draft while on ‘Get Up’ on Friday. He thinks it’d be a great pick for both sides if the Cowboys do some work on their offensive line. With that, he likened what Jeanty could then be to what they did back about a decade ago during the 2016 NFL Draft.

“It’s not an overreaction as long as they come out of free agency feeling really good about their offensive line,” said Graziano. “They need to address the offensive line.

“Once upon a time, they drafted ‘Zeke Elliott at fourth overall. That was because they had the best line in the league and he was plug-and-play on a team that expected to contend and did. This could be a similar situation if they’re able to build up the line in free agency. He could be a superstar playmaker for that team.”

Jeanty is the top prospect at running back in this draft after a historic season at Boise State. He rushed for 2,601 yards, which was second-most in a single season all-time in college football, at 185.8 yards per game and seven per carry, while scoring 30 touchdowns in total. That earned him honors as an All-American and won him The Maxwell Award while he finished second in voting for The Heisman Trophy. That also has Jeanty firmly in consideration as a first-rounder on the draft night in Green Bay.

However, other members of the discussion on ‘Get Up’ didn’t agree with Graziano. They wondered if the Cowboys should use their early picks in a better way early on before going with a running back that’s a little lower on the board. Dallas could also sign or make a deal for a back at another time.

“They also can build up those lines in the draft. So, as much as Jeanty can be a superstar for the Cowboys, I think there are other needs,” Jason McCourty said. “You can get a running back at some other point in the draft or possibly in free agency or maybe even make a trade.”

“This is the most loaded running back draft class we’ve seen maybe ever,” Matt Barrie added. “It’s going to be interesting to see if they go for the star power early on or the substance later on, like you said, and build the roster throughout.”

Running back will absolutely be an option for them when Dallas is picking at No. 12. It’s just whether the better value for them is taking Jeanty then or if the Cowboys wait for one elsewhere that weekend or this offseason.