With the 2025 NFL Draft just over three weeks away, the Dallas Cowboys will soon have to make a final decision on what to do with the 12th overall selection.
That's assuming they keep it, that is, as many pundits have opined that America's Team could trade down in the first round in order to receive an extra selection or two. But as that hasn't happened, we'll just run under the assumption that Dallas will stay at No. 12 for now.
While the Cowboys have added 10 new players to the roster over the last few weeks, eight in free agency and two via trade, they still have plenty of needs to address in this draft.
Naturally, the first-round pick of any team is always the most scrutinized. And when you're the Dallas Cowboys, that scrutiny is amplified even more.
So, it's important that Jerry and Stephen Jones get it right, just as they did the last time they had the No. 12 overall pick, nabbing Micah Parsons in 2021 at that spot after making a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles.
As for the direction Dallas could take this year, there are several potential options on both sides of the ball, but most seem to think the Cowboys will go the offensive route.
Adding another explosive wide receiver to play opposite CeeDee Lamb, such as Tetairoa McMillan, is a popular choice among draft experts and fans alike.
But even after bringing in both Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders, the possibility still remains that the Cowboys could draft a running back in the first round if the right guy is available. And it's pretty clear which guy most want to see with a star on the side of his helmet, that being Ashton Jeanty.
And that's not only fans we're talking about here, as a member of the Jones family seems to like the idea as well.
Stephen Jones is excited to have Ashton Jeanty at "Dallas Day"
In addition to all of the top-30 visits the Cowboys have planned with potential picks, the franchise will also once again host its annual "Dallas Day" this week, an event in which draft prospects who played their high school or college ball in the area visit the team and participate in workouts, interviews, and even written tests.
When recently asked about the event, Stephen Jones discussed the advantages of "Dallas Day" and then went on to praise Jeanty.
"We're fortunate in that we have a lot of really good football players in North Texas that qualify for us," Jones said. "I think that's an advantage when you're in a hotbed like we are in Texas, especially North Texas, that you've got some great football players. The best running back in the draft is from right down the street."
Okay, so Jones didn't specifically mention Jeanty by name. But seeing as how the Boise State superstar finished his high school career at Lone Star H.S. in Frisco, which is located about eight miles from Cowboys headquarters, who else would Jones be talking about?
Yes, we're aware that all of the players at "Dallas Day" played somewhere in the area, but with Jeanty rushing for 2,601 yards and 29 touchdowns this past season, he's clearly on a different level than the other running backs who will be in attendance.
Now, we obviously can't say for sure that Jones tipped his hand on what the Cowboys are going to do with the 12th overall pick if Jeanty is still available. But he's clearly a fan, and it's no secret that the entire Jones family loves players with local connections.
Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft is set for April 24, so we'll find out soon enough what Dallas decides to do.
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