Why Aren’t the Cowboys Meeting with Ashton Jeanty at the NFL Combine?

Ashton Jeanty, the standout running back from Boise State, has become one of the most talked-about prospects heading into the 2025 NFL Draft. With his remarkable performance in college—culminating in a 2,601-yard, 29-touchdown season—Jeanty has garnered the attention of many NFL teams, including the Dallas Cowboys. Despite this, reports have surfaced that the Cowboys are not meeting with Jeanty at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine. The question arises: Why aren’t the Cowboys showing interest in one of the top running backs in this year’s draft class at such a crucial event? To understand this, it’s important to consider a number of factors including the nature of the NFL Combine, Jeanty’s decision to skip the on-field drills, and the Cowboys’ specific draft strategy.

The NFL Scouting Combine: A Key Event for Draft Prospects

The NFL Scouting Combine, held every year in Indianapolis, is a critical event for both NFL teams and draft prospects. It’s where hundreds of college football players showcase their athleticism, undergo psychological evaluations, and participate in interviews with team scouts and executives. The Combine serves as a centralized event for teams to assess prospects in a variety of ways, including on-field drills like the 40-yard dash, vertical jump, and agility drills. Teams also get a chance to evaluate a player’s physical metrics, such as weight, height, and body composition. Additionally, players face interviews with team staff, coaches, and executives to gauge their character and personality, as well as to determine how they might fit into a specific team culture.

For a player like Jeanty, the Combine represents an opportunity to showcase his skills to scouts from all 32 teams, including the Dallas Cowboys. But it’s important to note that not every player participates in every aspect of the event. For instance, some players choose not to compete in on-field drills in Indianapolis but instead opt to perform in a more controlled setting at their respective Pro Day. This is exactly the route that Jeanty has taken—deciding to forgo the Combine’s physical drills and focus on his Pro Day performance.

Jeanty’s Decision to Skip the Combine

Ashton Jeanty’s decision to skip the on-field drills at the 2025 NFL Combine has raised some eyebrows. It’s not uncommon for top draft prospects to choose this route. Many players feel that they can control their performance better in the familiar surroundings of their school’s Pro Day, where they are coached by their own staff, and the atmosphere is less intense than that of the Combine. The Pro Day offers Jeanty the chance to showcase his skills to NFL scouts in an environment where he feels more comfortable, without the added pressure of the high-profile Combine stage.

But why would a player like Jeanty, who is poised to be a high draft pick, choose to skip such an important event? One reason might be injury concerns. Although the NFL Combine is a prestigious event, it’s also a high-risk one. Players are put through rigorous drills and physical tests that can increase the likelihood of injuries. For a player like Jeanty, who has already proven his talents on the field during his college career, the risk of injury may outweigh the potential benefits of showcasing his skills in Indianapolis. By skipping the Combine’s drills, Jeanty is mitigating the chance of suffering an injury that could hurt his draft stock.

Moreover, Jeanty’s Pro Day will give him the opportunity to perform in a more controlled environment. Here, he can execute the drills without the same level of distractions or competition. Pro Days also provide teams with a more intimate setting to evaluate a player, as coaches and scouts can work directly with the prospects to get a more comprehensive view of their potential.

The Dallas Cowboys’ Draft Strategy

The Dallas Cowboys, a team with a long history of success, are gearing up for another impactful draft. Coming off a season that ended with a heartbreaking playoff loss, the Cowboys are likely looking to add another dynamic player to their roster. The running back position, in particular, stands out as a potential area for improvement. The Cowboys have a solid backfield, but questions remain about the long-term viability of their current roster. With this in mind, Jeanty could be a prime target for the Cowboys if they believe he can bring immediate impact to their offense.

However, despite Jeanty’s impressive statistics and skill set, the Cowboys’ draft strategy might not revolve solely around meeting with him at the Combine. In fact, the Cowboys may have several reasons for opting not to meet with Jeanty in Indianapolis.

1. Limited Time and Resources at the Combine:

The NFL Scouting Combine is a fast-paced event, and NFL teams are limited in the number of interviews and workouts they can attend. With hundreds of prospects available to meet with, teams must prioritize their time and allocate resources wisely. If Jeanty isn’t participating in on-field drills, the Cowboys might feel that it’s more efficient to focus on other running backs who are actively engaging in all aspects of the Combine.

2. Pro Day as a Key Evaluation Opportunity:

While the Cowboys might not meet with Jeanty during the Combine, they can still attend his Pro Day. This event, scheduled for March 30, will give them an opportunity to observe Jeanty in a more familiar setting. Pro Days allow teams to see players at their best without the added pressure of Combine conditions. The Cowboys will likely make plans to be in attendance for Jeanty’s Pro Day to get an up-close view of his athleticism and skills.

3. Film and Background Analysis:

The Cowboys can still conduct a thorough evaluation of Jeanty without the Combine. Extensive film analysis from his time at Boise State gives the Cowboys plenty of material to assess his decision-making, vision, and overall game performance. In fact, many teams place just as much importance on game tape as they do on the drills at the Combine. Given Jeanty’s impressive production at Boise State, the Cowboys likely already have a solid understanding of his abilities based on his collegiate performance.

4. Medical Evaluations:

Another important aspect of the Combine is the medical evaluations conducted by team doctors. While the Cowboys can attend the Combine and review Jeanty’s medical records, they may have already done so. Players like Jeanty often undergo comprehensive physicals and evaluations before the Combine, and teams like the Cowboys will likely have access to these records. If there are no significant concerns, the Cowboys may not feel the need to further investigate his medical status in Indianapolis.

Alternative Methods for Evaluation

Even though the Cowboys are not meeting with Jeanty at the Combine, there are alternative ways for the team to assess his potential fit. The Cowboys can conduct interviews with Jeanty and review his physical profile, personality, and character. Additionally, they can study game tape to evaluate his strengths and weaknesses, such as his vision, ability to break tackles, and overall performance in high-pressure situations.

Another valuable tool for the Cowboys is feedback from scouts who have closely monitored Jeanty’s career at Boise State. They can provide insight into his work ethic, leadership, and how he would potentially fit within the Cowboys’ team culture.