The Dallas Cowboys have plenty of decisions to make heading into the 2025 NFL draft, and one of their greatest players in franchise history isn’t shy about voicing his opinion.
Hall of Famer Michael Irvin, a three-time Super Bowl champion and longtime face of the organization, made it crystal clear who he wants the team to target in the first round.
During an appearance on Kay Adams’ “Up & Adams” Monday morning, Irvin threw his full support behind Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty-a player he believes could completely transform the Cowboys’ offense.
“I’m hoping Jeanty is there,” Irvin said. “He is a difference maker.”
Michael Irvin wants the Dallas Cowboys to draft Ashton Jeanty and compares his impact to 3X Super Bowl champion Emmitt Smith.@heykayadams | @dallascowboys | @AshtonJeanty2 | @EmmittSmith22pic.twitter.com/rvtg9AN2Me
Michael Irvin wants the Dallas Cowboys to draft Ashton Jeanty and compares his impact to 3X Super Bowl champion Emmitt Smith.@heykayadams | @dallascowboys | @AshtonJeanty2 | @EmmittSmith22 pic.twitter.com/rvtg9AN2Me
— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) March 24, 2025
Jeanty, who finished as the runner-up for the 2024 Heisman Trophy behind Colorado’s Travis Hunter, had a season for the ages.
The Boise State junior rushed for 2,601 yards and 29 touchdowns on 374 carries, averaging an impressive 7.0 yards per attempt. Irvin didn’t hold back when comparing Jeanty’s potential impact to a Cowboys legend.
“That different dude (Jeanty) is a different dude,” Irvin added. “I witnessed it when Emmitt (Smith) got here to Dallas.”
The Cowboys could certainly use help in the backfield. In 2024, they ranked 27th in the NFL in rushing, averaging just 100.3 yards per game-a steep drop from the ground-and-pound days that once defined the franchise.
The last time Dallas used a first-round pick on a running back was in 2016, when they selected Ezekiel Elliott fourth overall. Elliott delivered 8,262 rushing yards and 80 total touchdowns over his first seven seasons, becoming one of the most productive backs in team history.
Whether or not Jeanty ends up in Dallas remains to be seen, but Michael Irvin has made his preference clear. With the Cowboys in need of a spark on the ground, his endorsement of Jeanty carries serious weight.
