The Dallas Cowboys likely had a disappointing 2024 season. After three straight 12-5 finishes, the team ended up with a 7-10 record last year.

Consequently, the Cowboys decided to move on from head coach Mike McCarthy and promoted offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer as his replacement.

One of the Cowboys’ biggest issues was their lack of a strong running game. Starting running back Rico Dowdle finished the season with 1,079 rushing yards, but this was largely inflated by an outstanding performance in the last six games, during which he ran for 591 yards. The issue is that Dowdle is now a free agent, and the next-highest rushing total on the team was only 226 yards.

In his latest NFL mock draft, ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. aims to help the Cowboys address their running back situation with their first-round selection.

“I’ve spoken to people in the NFL who have Jeanty and Hampton nearly tied for RB1, and some even prefer Hampton,” Kiper wrote. “Given Dallas’ decision to hire Brian Schottenheimer as coach, I can’t help but think of his father, Marty, and all those run-heavy offenses he had over 21 seasons with four different teams. It seems likely that some of that will influence the Cowboys’ new coach, even with Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb in the offense.”

The Cowboys have been linked to Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty for much of the year. However, Kiper predicts that Jeanty will be selected No. 6 overall by the Las Vegas Raiders. Meanwhile, Hampton also had a stellar 2024 season, rushing for 1,660 yards and scoring 15 touchdowns. This marks his second consecutive season with more than 1,500 yards.

Hampton and other prospects will find out where they will be playing next season on Thursday, April 24, when the 2025 NFL Draft kicks off.