Cowboys should keep an eye on these seven running backs in the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine.
As the 2024 NFL season progresses, teams around the league, including the Dallas Cowboys, are already setting their sights on future drafts. With the 2025 NFL Draft just on the horizon, the Cowboys are preparing for a critical selection process, particularly at positions that could help elevate their offensive and defensive depth. While quarterback, wide receiver, and defensive line are often the flashier positions, one area the Cowboys should seriously consider addressing is running back.
Dallas has been fortunate in recent years with Tony Pollard serving as a dynamic, dual-threat back, offering explosiveness as both a runner and a receiver. However, Pollard’s ability to handle the full workload of a lead back for an entire season remains a question, especially given his injury history and current recovery from surgery. The Cowboys might want to secure a complementary back or a future lead running back in the 2025 NFL Draft, and the NFL Scouting Combine will be the perfect opportunity to identify the next standout.
The Combine is the premier event for college players to showcase their athleticism and skills in front of NFL scouts, coaches, and general managers. Running backs are a position that can often be undervalued, but the right player can change the course of a franchise. With this in mind, the Dallas Cowboys should keep a close eye on the following seven running backs as they prepare for the 2025 NFL Draft. These players not only have the raw talent but also the skill set to make a meaningful impact in Dallas’s offense.
1. Jalil Farooq – Oklahoma
Height: 6’1” | Weight: 220 lbs
Farooq is a versatile running back from Oklahoma who is as dangerous in the open field as he is between the tackles. He boasts the ideal size for a running back—standing at 6’1″ and weighing 220 pounds—offering a rare combination of power and speed. Farooq has impressed scouts with his ability to read defenses and find holes, while also showing the agility needed to make defenders miss in tight spaces.
At the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine, Farooq’s performance will be critical, especially in the 40-yard dash and agility drills. His game tape shows the kind of versatility the Cowboys need, with the ability to take on multiple roles in the offense. In addition to his impressive running skills, Farooq is also an excellent pass-catcher out of the backfield—an essential trait in today’s NFL. His big-play potential, complemented by his physical running style, would mesh well in Dallas’s system, especially alongside a dynamic threat like Pollard.
2. Raheim Sanders – Arkansas
Height: 6’2” | Weight: 225 lbs
Raheim Sanders, known as “Rocket,” has been one of the most productive backs in the SEC, and his rare combination of size, strength, and speed makes him a standout candidate in the 2025 draft. Standing 6’2″ and weighing 225 pounds, Sanders has the ideal frame for a power back but with the quickness to run away from defenders. His impressive acceleration is particularly noticeable, as he is capable of breaking long runs in the open field.
His vision and cutting ability in tight spaces will likely impress scouts at the Combine. If Sanders can demonstrate his explosiveness and agility in the Combine drills, especially in the 3-cone and shuttle drills, the Cowboys may take notice. His ability to fit in as both a short-yardage and between-the-tackles back will allow him to be a strong complement to Pollard’s playstyle. In addition, Sanders’ blocking ability—something not all college backs excel at—could make him a very intriguing prospect for the Cowboys’ offense, which emphasizes balance in the running game.
3. Braelon Allen – Wisconsin
Height: 6’2” | Weight: 235 lbs
When it comes to size, few running backs match the physical stature of Wisconsin’s Braelon Allen. Standing at 6’2″ and weighing in at 235 pounds, Allen is an imposing force who has been dominating defenders in the Big Ten. Despite his massive frame, he moves with remarkable quickness for his size and has consistently been one of the hardest backs to tackle in college football.
At the Combine, Allen will likely showcase his strength in the bench press and his raw power in the 40-yard dash. His combination of power and speed makes him a prime candidate for any team looking to add a traditional, workhorse-style back, and the Cowboys are no exception. His physicality would allow him to thrive in short-yardage situations or as a grinder on first and second downs, allowing Pollard to remain in his more dynamic role as a receiving back. The Cowboys could look at Allen as a future starter, or at the very least, as a powerful complement to Pollard, especially as Dallas looks to improve its ground-and-pound offense in certain situations.
4. Quinshon Judkins – Ole Miss
Height: 5’11” | Weight: 215 lbs
If the Cowboys are looking for a more agile, versatile back with great vision and elusiveness, Quinshon Judkins from Ole Miss is someone they should keep an eye on. Judkins combines excellent size (5’11”, 215 pounds) with remarkable lateral quickness and burst. His ability to make defenders miss in the open field with his change of direction and acceleration makes him a dangerous threat in space.
Judkins has been one of the top backs in the SEC and has excelled at both inside and outside runs. His ability to take passes out of the backfield gives him the versatility the Cowboys are likely to appreciate, especially as offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer could look to evolve Dallas’ passing attack. At the Combine, Judkins’ testing numbers in the 40-yard dash, agility drills, and vertical jump will be crucial to showcasing his dynamic playmaking ability. His skill set would allow him to thrive in the Cowboys’ zone-running schemes and could allow Pollard to focus on more high-leverage situations as a receiver.
5. TreVonte’ Citizen – LSU
Height: 6’0” | Weight: 215 lbs
The LSU Tigers have consistently produced elite running back talent, and TreVonte’ Citizen looks poised to continue that tradition. Citizen stands at 6’0″ and 215 pounds, bringing a combination of size, power, and breakaway speed. Although he missed a portion of his college career due to injury, when healthy, Citizen has shown flashes of being one of the most explosive backs in the country.
Citizen’s powerful running style, combined with his natural athleticism, should make him an intriguing prospect for the Cowboys. At the Combine, the biggest question will be how he fares in terms of endurance and explosiveness after a bit of time off. If he can show that he has regained his burst and agility, he could be a valuable addition to Dallas as a backup or potentially even a feature back down the line. His size and physical running style would complement Pollard’s finesse, while his ability to run between the tackles and break through arm tackles makes him a valuable asset in short-yardage and goal-line situations.
6. Zach Evans – Ole Miss
Height: 5’11” | Weight: 210 lbs
Another player from Ole Miss who warrants attention is Zach Evans, a running back with excellent vision and agility. Standing at 5’11” and weighing 210 pounds, Evans has been known for his quick cuts and his ability to burst through gaps in the offensive line. He has displayed a solid understanding of how to read defenses, and his ability to move laterally while keeping his speed allows him to find and exploit holes that many other backs might miss.
Evans’ Combine numbers will be crucial to determining whether his agility translates to the NFL level. If Evans can display his fluidity in the 3-cone and shuttle drills, the Cowboys could see him as an ideal backup or a change-of-pace back who can bring a different dimension to their offense. His pass-catching ability also makes him an ideal fit for a team looking to incorporate more passing into its running back role, and Evans could help Dallas get more explosive in the backfield.
7. Blake Corum – Michigan
Height: 5’8” | Weight: 210 lbs
Despite being on the shorter side at 5’8″ and 210 pounds, Blake Corum from Michigan is one of the most exciting running back prospects in the 2025 class. His combination of elite vision, quickness, and ball security has earned him high praise throughout his college career. Corum’s compact build, paired with his low center of gravity, allows him to power through defenders while maintaining impressive speed.
While Corum may not be the biggest back, his ability to change direction and navigate through tight spaces has made him one of the most efficient running backs in college football. If he performs well in the Combine’s agility drills and showcases his lateral quickness, Corum could be an ideal candidate to complement Pollard as a second-back or third-down back. His pass protection and receiving ability would also make him a strong fit in Dallas’s offense, where versatility is key.
