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The Cowboys secure the franchise-saving running back in the 4-round 2025 NFL Mock Draft

The Cowboys secure the franchise-saving running back in the 4-round 2025 NFL Mock Draft

This season didn’t go as smoothly as that Dallas Cowboys hoped it would be so.

Jerry Jones was extremely cheap in free agency, forcing him to enter the 2024 NFL Draft. Instead of recruiting pure talent, they tried to fill as many key roles as possible. There’s still a lot of football left, but it is what it is It’s hard to be optimistic after their 3-4 start.

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This offseason could be interesting with more key players being hired in free agency in addition to the head coach. There will be a lot of changes, but based on their recent performance, they could make a selection early in the upcoming draft. That will help them get a haul in this 4-round 2025 NFL Mock Draft.

Round 1: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State

Dallas Cowboys, Ashton Jeanty

Boise State Broncos running back Ashton Jeanty / Brian Losness-Imagn Images

This is the homecoming Dallas fans crave.

Ashton Jeanty, the played high school ball in Friscois a game-changing running back. The Boise State star has rushed for 1,376 yards and 18 touchdowns in seven games this season. Dallas may not get as many yards as a team this year.

It’s not always wise to pick a defenseman in Round 1, but Jeanty makes a difference and can take a lot of pressure off Dak Prescott’s shoulders. He can also help the defense by moving the chains, keeping them fresh on the sidelines longer than they have this year.

Round 2: Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina

Dallas Cowboys, Nick Emmanwori

South Carolina Gamecocks defenseman Nick Emmanwori / Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Donovan Wilson has struggled this year, which is why Dallas needs to make a change at safety. Enter Nick Emmanwori, a 6-foot-1, 3,227-pound prospect from South Carolina.

Already known for his hard hitting, Emmanwori was a ballhawk in 2024. He has four interceptions in seven games, two of which he returned for a touchdown.

He’s flirting with first-round status, but with Dallas picking early in the second round, they catch a break and end up as Day 1 starters in this mock.

Round 3: Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss

Walter Nolen, Dallas Cowboys

The Mississippi Rebels defensive linemen Walter Nolen / Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

The Cowboys need a nose tackle but may give Mazi Smith another year to figure things out. Especially since they could lose Osa Odighizuwa as a free agent. That’s why they’re going with Walter Nolen from Ole Miss in the third round.

Nolen, a transfer to Texas A&M, is still considered an absolute talent but has great explosiveness from the start. He could be their starting 3 technician for several years.

Round 4: Tory Horton, WR, Colorado State

Tory Horton, Dallas Cowboys

Colorado State Rams Wide Receiver Tory Horton / Michael Madrid-Imagn Images

Due to the problems Dallas had in the passing game, especially for the recipientit would be ideal to take a wideout earlier. That’s not why this mockery is happening, so let’s hope they at least add a capable option in free agency.

They actually get someone with potential in Tory Horton from Colorado State. He needs to put on more weight, but the 6-foot-1, 175-pound runner rushed for over 1,000 yards in the last two seasons (for Nevada in 2022 and Colorado State in 2023). He may not be an ideal WR3 from the moment he arrives, but he could develop into a weapon.

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