Emmitt Smith says Cowboys shouldn't draft Jeanty: He'll 'get beat up'

Cowboys legend Emmitt Smith says Dallas shouldn't select Boise State's star running back Ashton Jeanty in the 2025 draft.

"If he comes to the Cowboys right now, he's going to get beat up," Smith told Maggie and Perloff on Sirius XM. "I don't think we're ready. We don't have the right mindset. We don't have the right commitments.

"I think we are drafting exciting pieces. Exciting pieces that will get fans (saying), 'Oh, we got Ashton Jeanty, oh, we're going to be able to run the ball.' OK, you try to tell me Ezekiel Elliott and Rico Dowdle could not carry that team? No."

Jeanty, 21, is considered one of the best players in the upcoming draft. He's expected to be a first-round pick after posting 2,601 rushing yards and 30 total touchdowns in 14 games. Jeanty finished second in Heisman voting behind Travis Hunter.

Dallas struggled to run the ball this season, ranking 26th in EPA/rush and 27th in yards gained on the ground. Cowboys running backs only had five combined touchdowns in 2024, and the club ranked last in rushing scores. Dallas was pass-heavy this season, throwing at the league's third-highest rate.

"There was no commitment to run the football. Need to do that the whole entire year. That's the formula that I'm talking about," Smith added.

"Quit trying to do what everyone else is doing in the National Football League. Your quarterback is not Patrick Mahomes. He's not Josh Allen. He's not Joe Burrow. He's Dak Prescott."

The Cowboys finished 7-10 this year after many injuries to key players. They moved on from head coach Mike McCarthy and promoted offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer to replace him.

Dallas is currently projected to be $2.8 million over the cap in 2025. The team holds the 12th pick in this year's draft.