The Dallas Cowboys have plenty of needs to fill in the 2025 NFL draft.

Whether it be wide receiver, cornerback, running back, defensive tackle, safety, offensive line, or tight end, there is no shortage of holes that need to be addressed later this month.

Of course, the biggest need on that list is an arguable one. Many believe it to be a wide receiver, while others think it’s a running back.

Regardless, over the last few seasons, the consensus has been that drafting a running back early is largely a questionable decision at best, especially when considering the long-term value of the position.

Despite that, ESPN NFL draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. has the Cowboys doing exactly that in his most recent two-round mock, and going after North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton.

“I was torn here, as I think Dallas will look at all offensive playmakers. It needs a difference-making WR2 to take some of the load off CeeDee Lamb. But I’m not sure Texas’ Matthew Golden or Arizona’s Tetairoa McMillan will go quite this early,” Kiper Jr. said. “Instead, I see the Cowboys trying to improve the run game, which managed 4.0 yards per carry and a league-low six TDs last season. They have thus far replaced Rico Dowdle with Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders. Neither new back has the home run ability of Hampton, who can scoot through holes and take off despite his 221-pound build. I’ve never been an advocate of the first-round running back, but team owner Jerry Jones isn’t afraid to address the position on Day 1.”

In a vacuum, this pick could be considered a big reach for Dallas. It makes sense for them to address the position at some point in the draft, and if Jeanty is already off the board, they might think they have another choice but to get their next running back.

That’s not to say Hampton won’t be a good NFL player. In fact, many expect him to be a very effective runner wherever he goes.

That said, wide receiver is a thinner position in this year’s class than running back, and it would likely make much more sense to go in that direction, and then address the rusher spot in Round 2.

But Kiper doesn’t have them doing that either, and they fill their cornerback need instead with Ole Miss’ Trey Amos at pick No. 44.

At the end of the day, neither of these picks would be a big miss or even a bad decision.

But it does still leave arguably their biggest need unaddressed, which could cause them many of the same issues in 2025 as they had in 2024.