The Cowboys are looking to add a true No. 1 RB this offseason, but it’s not a lock they’ll find that talent in the upcoming NFL Draft. With the 2025 RB class stacked with talent, drafting a back makes sense. However, with the Cowboys picking at No. 12, the top prospect with 5,631 yards is likely to be long gone. That doesn’t mean Dallas is out of luck. They could still find solid value later in the draft with players like TreVeyon Henderson or Kaleb Johnson. There’s also another name that’s been doing the rounds lately…

Pro Football & Sports Network has sparked trade rumors as we approach next season, with one name rising to the top for the Jaguars: RB Travis Etienne Jr. The former first-round pick is entering the final year of his rookie contract in 2025. However, PFSN points out: “The Cowboys would loom as the most logical trade partner on paper.” HC Brian Schottenheimer, who was the OC when Jacksonville drafted Etienne in 2021, could play a pivotal role in making a reunion happen. Despite missing his rookie season due to a foot injury, the connection with Schottenheimer could bring Etienne to Dallas, where the Cowboys are in need of a clear lead back. If the deal goes through, it could be a game-changer for Dallas’ backfield.

However, Jacksonville has exercised the fifth-year option on Etienne Jr, paying him over $6 million this season. But with Tank Bigsby, 23, outpacing Etienne in carries last year, the Jaguars could be leaning toward a youth movement. If Jacksonville plans to hand the starting role to Bigsby in 2026, trading Etienne now for a draft pick makes perfect sense. Amid ongoing trade rumors, experts are urging the Jaguars to make a move that could reshape their backfield and future.

On the April 21 episode of Yahoo Fantasy Forecast, Matt Harman and Dane Brugler dove into the trade rumors surrounding Travis Etienne. Brugler made an interesting point, stating, “Travis Etienne playing on that fifth-year option in 2025, and I think he’s a fine player, but I mean his production has declined each of the last three years.” Moreover, he continued, “There’s just 3.7 yards per carry in 2024. I think there’s a good chance that maybe this is his last year in Jacksonville, anyway.”

So, “If you have a chance to upgrade now with a superstar prospect like Jeanty…,” added Brugler, suggesting a move could be in the cards for the Jaguars, before adding, “I think you jump at it, and then you can flip Etienne for a day three pick,” said the mock drafter. Then, he went on to emphasize the bigger picture, stating, “One of the top priorities for this offseason, with a new head coach and general manager, is to help Trevor Lawrence.” So, “Adding a player like Jeanty makes all the sense in the world,” according to Brugler. Now, it’s clear—this move could be a game-changer for both the Jaguars and their franchise QB.

Honestly, Jacksonville is in a unique spot. Despite picking in the top five, they don’t have many glaring needs. But there’s one thing missing: playmakers. Adding a talent like Ashton Jeanty could change that dynamic. Sure, the Raiders and Bears make sense as well, but here’s the thing—picking between 6 and 12 this year isn’t ideal. If the Jaguars have a shot at a true blue-chip talent like Jeanty, they need to seriously consider it. This could be the move to solidify their future.

But the Jaguars face tough competition in their pursuit of Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty, with the Raiders leading a strong race.

Tom Brady encounters a major setback

The Raiders are shaking things up ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft, and all signs point toward one electric name—Ashton Jeanty. The Boise State star lit up the field in 2024 with 2,601 rushing yards and 29 TDs, earning his spot as the top RB in the class. Holding the No. 6 overall pick, the Raiders are in prime position to pounce. According to Pro Football Rumors, Jeanty fits perfectly into their draft blueprint. Raiders GM John Spytek has stressed the importance of elite talent, and Jeanty checks every box. He’s explosive, dependable, and ready to make an impact.

Analysts are buzzing about the potential fit. ClutchPoints notes how Jeanty could inject life into a Raiders offense that struggled to find its rhythm on the ground. Well, his versatility is a weapon—he can run, catch, and make defenders miss. Silver and Black Pride echoes that this pick could be more than smart—it could be franchise-altering. As the draft nears, Vegas fans are locked in. If the Raiders roll the dice on Jeanty, it could be the jackpot move they’ve been waiting for.

While the Raiders seem like the perfect landing spot for Jeanty at No. 6, there’s a twist in the tale. If the Jaguars strike first with a top-five pick, they could steal the spotlight—and the star. That move wouldn’t just shake up draft boards, it could deal a surprising blow to Raiders minority owner Tom Brady. After all, missing out on Jeanty might mean watching a game-changing weapon land elsewhere. And for Brady, who’s already facing heat off the field, it’s the kind of draft-day drama he won’t want to relive.