Dallas Cowboys Mock Draft Roundup 2.0

This might not get Cowboys fans jazzed, but Dallas could have to move forward without longtime cornerstone Zack Martin. The team has enjoyed success finding draft replacements on the line.

There are ways to take pressure off CeeDee Lamb being the only consistent outlet in the pass game without addressing wide receiver. There is plenty of time to supplement the pass-catchers, but Ashton Jeanty is a dynamic runner, as well as a net positive in the pass game.

After watching the ground game flounder without an elite running back in the backfield, Jerry Jones adds a bona fide star in Jeanty to spark an offensive resurgence.

Something flashy for America's team. Ashton Jeanty isn't necessarily the most important thing that the Cowboys need coming into the draft, but he would be a great fit for their offense and most importantly, sell jerseys.

The Heisman Trophy runner-up, Jeanty resembles a young Ezekiel Elliott coming out of Ohio State, only with a little more wiggle. Jeanty (5-9, 215) led the country in rushing yards (2,601), rushing touchdowns (29) and all-purpose yards per game (185.8), and he exploded for 25 runs of 20-plus yards. He also converted 106 of his attempts into first downs. He's the type of player Dallas needed last year, so the Cowboys would be happy to add him now.

As tempting as it is to slot Boise State's Ashton Jeanty here, this year's running back class is one of the most talented and deep ever. Missouri often manufactured easy touches for him, but Burden has elite run-after-catch ability to go along with strong and reliable hands and outstanding speed and quickness.

Dallas has several needs that need to be addressed. The offensive line may be in flux (again), the wide receiver room needs another threat and the life the team showed in the run game with Rico Dowdle is promising — but how trustworthy is it to plan on that group again? But don't sleep on the need on the edge, where Demarcus Lawrence and Chauncey Golston are expiring contracts and Sam Williams missed the whole season with a knee injury. Mykel Williams is a total freak of an athlete who boasts the power that should allow him to collapse tackles and create consistent disruption up front.

I know I'm not the first to make this connection and I'm sure I won't be the last. Jeanty is one of the more enjoyable players to study in this class. He has elite vision and balance, offering a massive upgrade in Dallas.

Yes, it's a mock draft without Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty going to Dallas! I think it's possible the Cowboys will take Jeanty, and there's no arguing that they need a boost to the run game. But I imagine they'd first try to fix that hole in free agency. And regardless, this team has to find playmakers all over, period.

Putting Burden's valuable after-the-catch ability opposite CeeDee Lamb would open things up for Dak Prescott. Dallas has been looking for a reliable one-two receiver punch in the offense for a while; it hasn't had two WRs over 700 receiving yards since 2021, when Amari Cooper was still in town. Burden has the explosive traits to change that.