Cowboys QB Dak Prescott's plea makes star CFB running back even more logical draft choice

Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott's demand for the 2025 offense should make the team's upcoming NFL Draft decision the easiest one of the offseason.

On Tuesday, Prescott discussed the hiring of head coach Brian Schottenheimer with the Cowboys' team site, and he had one simple wish.

"We just got to get to running the ball, being a little bit more consistent on that," Prescott said, per DallasCowboys.com.

He isn't wrong.

Dallas ran poorly in 2024, finishing 27th in rushing yards, 30th in yards per attempt and last in rushing touchdowns.

Fortunately for the Cowboys, there's an NFL Draft prospect who can provide an immediate positive impact on the rushing attack.

Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty is coming off one of the greatest rushing seasons in college football history, gaining 2,601 yards and scoring 29 touchdowns on the ground while leading the Broncos to the College Football Playoff.

Jeanty is a popular pick to land in Dallas. Several recent mock drafts — including from CBS Sports, USA Today and NFL.com draft experts Cynthia Frelund, Bucky Brooks and Daniel Jeremiah — back Jeanty to the Cowboys.

It's as apparent a draft fit as wide receiver Xavier Worthy to the Chiefs last offseason.

The 2025 NFL Draft is April 24-26 in Green Bay.

Jeanty would fill the Cowboys' biggest need while getting Prescott back into an offensive situation where he's been known to thrive.

"I've always enjoyed play-action pass or just being able to get back to that," Prescott told Cowboys.com. "But you've got to start with the run game, and when you have that, the rest of the offense can open up."

Per Pro Football Focus data, from 2016-23, 25 percent of Prescott's dropbacks came from play action, and he had a completion percentage of 68.1 percent (up from 66.4 percent on non-play-action attempts).

In 2024, Cowboys play action numbers dropped notably. In eight starts before suffering a season-ending hamstring injury, Prescott only had 54 play action dropbacks in 317 total plays, a 17 percent rate.

Sometimes, the easy choice is also the right one. The 2025 NFL Draft is such an occasion for the Cowboys. They'd be wise not to overthink it.