FRISCO - The No. 12 pick belonging to the Dallas Cowboys in the first round of the NFL has become an intriguing projection for both draft experts and Cowboys Nation alike. Not just because the Cowboys have a number of needs to address in the draft, but also because it seemed to be a lock a few months ago.
Before the offseason got into full swing, the Cowboys looked like a surefire landing spot for Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty. The team needed backfield help and Jeanty was sure to provide it.
He has campaigned very clearly on his part that he wants to come home to The Star where he played many of his high schools games while attending Lone Star High School in Frisco.
While that hype has died down, there are those who are vying for a Jeanty homecoming. Cowboys great and Pro Football Hall of Famer Michael Irvin is among this group and believes Jeanty is the right pick at No. 12.
Irvin went as far as drawing a comparison to his former teammate, Emmitt Smith, during an appearance on "Up & Adams."
"What I know best is that triplet formation, winning games... when Emmitt (Smith) came the difference he made... we had the same offensive line prior to him getting here. But when he got here, all of a sudden they became the best offensive line ever... that's because Emmitt was the best running back ever."
"You get the chance to get a Jeanty and have that kind of production that he's had... yeah you take him."
Now is Irvin saying that Jeanty is as good as Smith or will reach that caliber? Not necessarily. But the star power quality that Jeanty possesses is undeniably absent from the Cowboys' backfield as currently constructed.
Dallas has tried to recreate the Super Bowl-winning triplets of their glory days but have fallen short with several iterations. This next one presumably with Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb and Jeanty would certainly be an interesting one and in part inspired the campaign for Jeanty to begin with.
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Unfortunately for Jeanty and Irvin, it appears the Cowboys are focused on a different direction and the league has caught on to Jeanty's ability. Dallas may never get the chance to consider picking Jeanty because several teams picking ahead of them are starting to show more interest in the former Bronco.
Meanwhile, the Cowboys themselves could explore adding a No. 2 wide receiver or a defensive star that drops to them.
A Jeanty homecoming is not impossible necessarily, but is growing to be more and more unlikely.
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This story was originally published March 24, 2025 at 5:26 PM.