(Editor's Note: Time to check the mail! The DallasCowboys.com staff writers answer your questions here in 'Mailbag' presented by Miller Lite.)
I know the Cowboys did the right thing by adding some quality running backs in free agency, but if Ashton Jeanty is there at No. 7 or 8, do you see the team moving up four or five spots to draft him? Would that be considered overpaying for a running back, even one who is as crazy skilled as Jeanty?– Brian Dales /Kingsland, TX**
Patrik: I'm one of the biggest fans of Jeanty in a Cowboys' jersey you'll come across, but given the level of expense required to move up to those spots and the depth of this year's RB class and the dire needs that exist at other positions as well, e.g., cornerback, wide receiver — that would be a tough pill for me to swallow. Based upon the value of the picks, it could easily cost the Cowboys their 2025 second-round pick to move to No. 7 or their 2025 third-round pick to move up to No. 8, and while the latter is at least palatable, you have to consider this team has already hamstrung themselves from doing such a move by trading away their 2025 fourth-round pick to the Panthers for Jonathan Mingo.
That would mean acquiring Jeanty, yes, but losing at least one Day 2 (top-100) pick and creating a massive gap of time before going back onto the clock in the fifth-round (barring a deal to return to this year's lost rounds with a package that would include shipping out 2026 picks). If I, a huge fan of Jeanty, told you to choose between your scenario or Tet McMillan at 12 and Omarion Hamption (as one example) in a second-round trade up, which would you choose? Sign me up for the second option, because that's one hell of a supposed consolation prize to staying put and losing out on Jeanty.
Tommy: Personally, I would be all for it if the cards were to fall that way. I highly doubt they do, but I think that highly of Jeanty and the impact that he can make on an offense, especially Schottenheimer's based on what he wants to do schematically. Now, from the Cowboys perspective, they'd probably be giving up more draft capital to move up than they'd want to, which makes this unlikely considering the multiple needs they still have remaining on the roster, and they're long history of being a draft and develop franchise.
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