The Dallas Cowboys’ backfield makeover was more like a mild reshuffling. Sure, they added Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders in free agency, but both come with major question marks. Williams hasn’t looked the same since his 2022 knee injury, and Sanders is coming off the worst season of his career. If this is the grand plan, it needs a backup plan—and fast.
Running back remains a major priority heading into the 2025 NFL Draft. With a loaded class and multiple impact players projected to go outside Round 1, there’s no excuse for Dallas to miss. The roster already has holes, and there’s a golden opportunity here to find a cost-controlled back that can lift Brian Schottenheimer’s offense.
Ashton Jeanty is the clear RB1 in this class, but there are other backs with feature potential. The Cowboys need explosion, versatility, and long-term upside. These four names check all the boxes.
Four running backs Cowboys should circle on draft night
Brashard Smith, SMU
Smith isn’t your typical between-the-tackles grinder—he’s a space weapon. The former wide receiver turned running back offers serious burst, pass-catching chops, and return value. He’s tailor-made for a modern offense that wants to move pieces around and create mismatches.
Dallas needs more juice. Smith gives them a legit home-run threat out of the backfield who could grow into a third-down weapon early while developing into more. Think Tony Pollard, but with more raw speed and upside in the open field.
Kaleb Johnson, Iowa
Johnson is a classic Big Ten bruiser with way more wiggle than you’d expect. He set records at Iowa with his blend of patience, vision, and power—and unlike a lot of college backs, he actually gets better as the game goes on.
If the Cowboys want someone who can handle a real workload and grind out games late, Johnson fits the mold. He won’t blow the doors off with speed, but he’ll move the chains and wear defenses down. Plug him in and let him eat.
Ollie Gordon II, Oklahoma State
Gordon’s stock dipped a bit after a messy final year at Oklahoma State, but his talent is obvious. He’s a punishing runner with soft hands and proven three-down production. He’s not flashy—but when your offensive line is clicking, he’s a problem.
Dallas could use a physical tone-setter who can take over in the red zone and close games. Gordon has the body and mindset to be that guy. If the Cowboys build their run game around gap schemes, he’d be a natural fit.
TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State
When healthy, Henderson is one of the most electric backs in the country. He’s explosive, slippery, and a threat to score any time he touches the ball. Oh, and he can block and catch, too.
The Cowboys haven’t had a true gamebreaker in the backfield in a while. Henderson changes that. The only knock is durability—but if Dallas is smart with his usage and leans on a rotation early, Henderson could be a home-run pick with All-Pro upside.
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