The NFL offseason is full of surprises, and they aren’t always good ones. Cowboys fans have been hoping for Ashton Jeanty to be the team’s first-round pick for months, but it seems like that dream may be fading away.
On Friday, the Seahawks sent Geno Smith to the quarterback-needy Raiders. It was a surprising move, but Pete Carroll’s presence in Las Vegas softens the shock.
That trade has flipped what we knew about the quarterback frenzy of this offseason.
Seahawks trading QB Geno Smith to Raiders for 2025 third-round pick.
(via @RapSheet, @TomPelissero, @MikeGarafolo) pic.twitter.com/yVr9dMKa4m
— NFL (@NFL) March 7, 2025
Seattle is now set to pursue Sam Darnold, the Vikings are looking at Aaron Rodgers and Daniel Jones, and the Raiders can shift their draft focus away from the Colorado Buffaloes star, Shedeur Sanders.
If you haven’t guessed already, that last part is where the mutual interest between the Cowboys and Jeanty hits a snag.
Let’s discuss exactly how and why the Raiders are set to rain on the Cowboys’ April parade.
Match Made In Vegas: Ashton Jeanty’s Fit
One look at the Raiders’ updated depth chart reveals a major problem for Dallas: a glaring hole at running back.
With Smith taking the reins at quarterback, Jakobi Meyers and Brock Bowers catching passes, and a young defense taking shape, running back is clearly their biggest weakness.
Zamir White is the current leader in the backfield, but the former Georgia Bulldog hasn’t panned out as Las Vegas would have hoped. He’s averaging 3.8 yards per carry and has just two career touchdowns with 186 rushes.
They have the sixth pick in the draft, and nobody in front of them is looking at running back; meanwhile, both the Raiders and Jeanty are already looking at each other.
Ashton Jeanty on the #Raiders potentially drafting him at No. 6:
“I think that would be great especially with Pete Carroll’s history of running the ball.” pic.twitter.com/OvS5gAxlDU
— Levi Edwards (@theleviedwards) February 28, 2025
Barring something unforeseen, he’ll be on the board when the Raiders get put on the clock, and the Heisman trophy runner-up could transform their new-look offense.
It’s still early in this process, but as it stands right now, it’s hard to see Las Vegas passing on Ashton Jeanty.
The Cowboys Audible: Where Will Dallas Turn?
When you take Jeanty out of the Cowboys’ draft picture, things get murky.
That doesn’t mean the backup options aren’t good; they just don’t stand alone like Jeanty does. Projecting Dallas’ pick may become impossible.
As many have speculated, North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton could become the team’s backup option. He’s as explosive as they come, and his draft stock has been shooting through the roof since the NFL Scouting Combine.
https://twitter.com/CUandyy/status/1895506151489642989
On the other hand, Dallas’ need at wide receiver could get filled with options like Luther Burden III or Tetairoa McMillan.
There is a less-flashy option, but one that has been a winning formula for other teams.
The Cowboys’ defensive line needs improvement, whether on the edge or the inside. Dallas could opt to beef up in the trenches with a defensive tackle like Walter Nolen or on the edge with Texas A&M’s Shermar Stewart.
The Bottom Line: Ashton Jeanty’s Rising Stock
No matter who you want Dallas to take at No. 12, one thing is clear: Ashton Jeanty’s chances of being available are shrinking fast.
With the Raiders at six and the Bears at ten, there are significant hurdles for the Cowboys to land this Boise State superstar. That could change depending on how free agency plays out, but that may be a stretch.
Chicago could pursue another option to pair with D’Andre Swift, considering the Raiders’ presence at six, but Vegas has little incentive to go elsewhere when Jeanty could fall right into their lap.
Dallas needs to start preparing for that scenario now. If they don’t, they could wind up empty-handed at running back for the second consecutive season.
There’s always the option of trading with Vegas, to gain the #6 pick?
A move from #12 to #6 would cost about a mid-2nd rounder, or giving the Raiders the #12 & #44 in exchange for the #6 & #109, which works on the Rich Hall board, but is tipped in Dallas’ favour on the Jimmy Johnson board
Dumb
Exactly what I expect from both teams bc Dallas covets Jeanty more than Vegas does & trading DOWN gets Vegas an extra pick unlike trading up
Oor they could be just fine at running back by snagging Kaleb Johnson out of Iowa in the 2nd round..? You talk like this draft isn’t stocked with talented running backs. The man had 1500 yards in yet another Iowa season where they didn’t have a passing attack to keep defenses from loading up in the box
✭ ✭ ✭
Walter Nolen at #12? No.
His stock was dropping even before the Combine as news of his attitude and off-the-field red flags came to light. After the Combine, he has fallen out of the 1st in some mocks and rarely makes an appearance above the mid-20’s in most others.
I hope the Raiders do save the Cowboys from themselves by drafting Jeanty. The guy has more hard mileage on his wheels than a used Uber. RB is not a money 5 position and not worth spending first-round resources on. Let the Raiders pay for the fast depreciation on that shiny new, dealer promo car. For those that don’t know, those are the cars the dealer lets sales and execs beat the snot out of for a few hundred miles before selling them for a “great deal” at slightly below sticker.
Agreed. Let’s hope the raiders do just that and Sheduer falls in our lap. That creates a tremendous trade back opportunity (steelers for #20 & 2nd rd), giving us 3 top 50 picks. Personally I think we might be able to get even more for him and still have room to trade back further for additional 2’s and 3’s, in this deep balanced draft.
Trading back and passing up on a quality player has worked so well for the Cowboys in the past 30 years.
The one that stands out most? Trading back to take Felix Jones in the 2nd round. The player Jones passed on?
RB Stephen Jackson.
But sure, if Jeanty is there at 12 lets go ahead and pass on the best player in the draft. Just like they did with Randy Moss.
How did that work out again?
Let’s see:
2024 Traded from #24 to #29 and got Guyton and Beebe out of it. Jury is still out, but Beebe looks like the real deal, and we’ll see what a couple of good OL coaches can do with Guyton instead of Mike Solari trying to turn the clock back to the early 90’s.
2013 Traded from #18 to #31 and got Travis Frederick and Terrence Williams. Travis was All Pro once and Pro Bowl 5 times before a freak illness robbed him of his strength and career. TWilliams had 232 recs for 3377 yards and 20 TD’s for us over 6 seasons before foot injuries and off-the-field stupidity put him out of the league.
Seems like they’ve done pretty well trading down in the 1st round during Will McClay’s tenure.
Will McClay was around the years they passed on Moss and Jackson?
Who knew?
Guyton was a horrible reach.
But sure, lets take one year when a trade down worked (for a few years) to justify passing on the best player available in the draft for the third time.
Just get ready for a repeat of 2024 this fall. Only thing is? I don’t want to hear one word out of you when it happens. You asked for this, now you get to eat every bitter bite of it.
Don’t get mad and blinded by your man-crush on a running back who already has a lot of tread worn off his tires. Guess you learned nothing from the Zeke debacle. The RB’s that continue to play at a high level after their 1st contract are the exception, not the rule. If Jerry does do what fans like you want and burn the 12th pick on Jeanty, I don’t want any revisionist BS article out you if he flames out in year 3 because his knees, hamstrings and groin are shot from those 830 touches in college.
What are they going to do with Sheduer? Dak sadly is here for 4 more years.
I know the skinny on James Pierce is due to his attitude, not a team player..per sources..you know, the know it all’s, the ANALlyst who have other people do their work/research for them..like idiot big mouth Stephen A. Smith..The ANALlyst who probably only played madden..the so called expert wasn’t him, just some other over egotistical pampas a$s!!
Here we go again! Raiders organization has a history of one of the worst organizations in the NFL. Why would you spend a first round pick on a running back? You had Jacobs and didn’t want to pay him. You bring in Geno which doesn’t make a lick of sense. Raiders better draft a QB with that 6th round pick period!
When was the last time the.cowboys made a super bowl compared to the raiders?
jacobs wasnt worth the miney he got!!… the year he got paid was his worst year for the raiders…seen that happen a few times they get paid n play like shit
Everything I have been seeing, as far as Dallas draft day, is they weren’t even looking his way. Could be a bluff but I think they are focused else where even though it’d be hard to pass if he was available when they were on the board. Time will tell.
If Tetoria McMillan is there as well as Jeanty, give me T-McMillan. There aren’t nearly enough high quality, big, physical Wr’s as there are 6′ 210+ lbs RB’s.
thats funny the same same cowgirls that were drooling over ashton jeanty are now saying hes already washed up and not good aint that funny but hay how bout them cowgirls i mean boys lol
Back to the Giants loser room with you!
We don’t need a RB from the MWC. Judkins, Henderson or Skattebo would have all had the same or better yards if they played in the MWC. There is no reason trade up for Jeanty.
If we can’t get Ashton Jeanty then get Luther burden WR or Hampton RB from NC.
If we can traded 2nd rd pick and 4th or 6th to go up to Oakland 6th pick then we should do it to get Ashton Jeanty.