Cowboys 7-round mock draft: Dallas gets top RB Ashton Jeanty in offense-powered class
The Dallas Cowboys finished the 2024 season with a losing record (7-10) for the first time in four years. As a result, things will look very different in Dallas next season.
First off, Brian Schottenheimer's been promoted from offensive coordinator to head coach, taking over from Mike McCarthy. This is Schottenheimer's first head coaching position of any kind. He's worked for the Cowboys since 2022 and is a familiar face for their stars on offense like quarterback Dak Prescott and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb.
Former Chicago Bears coach Matt Eberflus was hired as the new defensive coordinator as well, taking over from Mike Zimmer after one season.
The Cowboys enter the offseason ranked 26th in cap space and are likely losing multiple starters in free agency, including longtime edge rusher DeMarcus Lawrence and defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa. That means the Cowboys' best chance at improvement is likely through the NFL draft.
Dallas is projected to have 10 draft picks in the 2025 NFL draft, per Tankathon, among the most in the league. The full draft order isn't set as compensatory selections need to be finalized, but we'll use those projections to predict what the Cowboys could do in April.
Dallas Cowboys 7-round mock draft
*Projected compensatory picks are marked with an asterisk.
Round 1, No. 12 overall: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
This is one of the most popular mock draft picks. The Cowboys have a glaring need at running back, and Jeanty is the best prospect in a fantastic running back class. Dallas has used high picks on Boise State players before, including linebacker Leighton Vander Esch in 2018 and Lawrence in 2014.
Dallas had six rushing touchdowns as a team in 2024, which was less than half of the league average (16). Jeanty is a proven running back who uses generational contact balance to wear defenses down over the course of the game.
Round 2, No. 44 overall: Wyatt Milum, IOL, West Virginia
Zack Martin announced his retirement last week and finishes his career with as many first-team All-Pro awards (seven) as accepted holding penalties. He's a lock for the Pro Football Hall of Fame and leaves a big hole at guard.
Milum isn't a plug-and-play replacement for Martin as a rookie but similarly played tackle in college and projects best as a guard in the NFL. His mix of athleticism, hand usage and play strength will make him an asset in front of Jeanty.
Round 3, No. 75 overall: Isaiah Bond, WR, Texas
With a great performance at the combine, Bond could end up going higher than this but falls to the Cowboys in our seven-round mock draft. Lamb can't do it all, and the next-best wide receiver on the Cowboys this past season was Jalen Tolbert. Bond would be an upgrade with speed who could stretch the field and provide more room underneath for tight end Jake Ferguson.
Round 5, No. 150 overall: Rylie Mills, DL, Notre Dame
With Odighizuwa likely on the way out, Dallas opts to bolster the interior with their first pick of Day 3. Mills suffered a right knee injury in the College Football Playoff but reportedly will be back on the field for the combine and could see his stock rise from there. He packs a powerful punch in a 6-foot-5, 295-pound frame. He's a pocket pusher in the mold that Eberflus has worked with at previous stops and can use his power for interior pressure compared to more speed rusher types the Cowboys currently have.
Round 5, No. 170 overall*: Cody Simon, LB, Ohio State
DeMarvion Overshown came on strong to close the season at off-ball linebacker. With Eric Kendricks hitting free agency, Dallas selects a potential running mate for Overshown in Round 5. Simon is a similarly gifted athlete to Overshown at 6-foot-2 and 235 pounds who should excel in coverage and develop into a starting linebacker on his rookie contract.
Round 5, No. 172 overall*: O'Donnell Fortune, CB, South Carolina
Fortune took home Defensive MVP honors at the 2025 East-West Shrine Bowl and should see his draft stock rise thanks to that performance. He won't blow you away in athletic testing but his play speed on tape looks much faster, and he has a long frame for a cornerback. He's ready-made for press coverage in the NFL and has shown good flashes in zone coverage as well.
Round 5, No. 174 overall*: Mitchell Evans, TE, Notre Dame
Evans is one of the better in-line blocking tight ends in an outstanding class with a 6-foot-5, 256-pound frame that can be an extension of the offensive line. He's not a plus athlete, and there are injury concerns but he does have very soft hands and the body control to win on contested catches.
Round 6, No. 190 overall: Ahmed Hassanein, Edge, Boise State
Dallas grabs Jeanty's college teammate Hassanein with their first pick in the sixth round. He's a productive edge rusher who had a nine-game sack streak in 2023 and grew into an every-down player over his career with the Broncos. He can be a rotational piece for the Cowboys before developing into a contributor with time alongside fellow developmental edge rushers Marshawn Kneeland and Sam Williams.
Round 6, No. 211* overall: Garrett Dellinger, IOL, LSU
Milum is the top pick to eventually fill Martin's shoes, and Dellinger is a developmental piece to back him up as well as other spots of the offensive line. He is a very good pass protector at this point of his development but could use some improvement in run blocking. His sturdy build means he's a slower prospect at the position and will have to stay inside at the NFL level.
Round 7, No. 249 overall: Brandon Adams, CB, UCF
Adams is an ideal developmental cornerback with good length at 6-foot-1 and 32 1¼-inch arms. He's not overly athletic but makes up for it with physicality and attitude. He'll at least be a solid special teamer as he works into a potential rotational role in the secondary.