The NFL Draft is one of the most exciting times of the year for both teams and fans alike. Teams across the league are eager to bring in the next generation of talent, with the hopes of securing the key player who will propel their roster to championship contention. One of the most coveted positions in football is running back, where elite playmakers can completely change the dynamics of an offense. For the Dallas Cowboys, a team already stacked with talent on both sides of the ball, the opportunity to select a running back who could replace the dynamic force of Saquon Barkley could be the key to taking their offense—and their Super Bowl chances—to a whole new level.
Barkley, who has been one of the most electrifying running backs of his generation since entering the league in 2018, is widely regarded as one of the top talents to ever play the position. His blend of size, speed, vision, and elusiveness allows him to take over games and be a game-changing threat on any given play. But as Barkley’s career progresses, the question becomes: who can truly fill the void that will inevitably be left when his time in the NFL is over? And what if that future successor happens to fall into the hands of the Dallas Cowboys—one of the NFL’s most storied franchises, with a Super Bowl window still wide open?
This article explores the idea of the Cowboys selecting Barkley’s successor in the 2025 NFL Draft and how that move could send shockwaves through the league. If the Cowboys land a running back with the same level of talent, versatility, and impact as Barkley, the league will be on notice. Not only could it be the key to unlocking the Cowboys’ Super Bowl hopes, but it could also establish a new standard for running backs in today’s modern NFL.
The Saquon Barkley Legacy: What Comes After?
Saquon Barkley has been a centerpiece of the New York Giants’ offense since his rookie season, and it’s hard to ignore the comparisons between Barkley and some of the most legendary running backs in NFL history. He entered the league as one of the most anticipated prospects of all time and quickly lived up to the hype, earning Offensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2018 with a monster season that saw him rush for 1,307 yards and 11 touchdowns while also adding 91 receptions for 721 yards and four touchdowns.
However, injuries have marred much of Barkley’s career. After his standout rookie year, he tore his ACL in 2020, limiting his playtime, and his injury history has prevented him from fully realizing his potential. Despite these setbacks, Barkley remains a formidable force on the field whenever he’s healthy. In fact, when Barkley is at his best, he has the ability to single-handedly elevate his team’s offense, just as he did in 2022, when he rushed for 1,312 yards and 10 touchdowns while maintaining his dual-threat ability in the passing game.
But as Barkley continues to age and his contract situation looms over his future with the Giants, the inevitable truth is that the NFL will one day move on from his reign as one of the best running backs in the game. And with running backs rarely playing at an elite level into their 30s due to the physical toll the position takes, the need for teams to find their next franchise back has never been greater.
The Dallas Cowboys’ Super Bowl Window
The Dallas Cowboys are in a unique position heading into the 2025 season. With a talented roster led by quarterback Dak Prescott, wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, and a defense that includes stars like Micah Parsons and Trevon Diggs, the Cowboys have a roster that’s ready to compete for a Super Bowl now. However, one glaring hole on their roster has been at the running back position, where the team has seen a steady decline in production since the departure of Ezekiel Elliott.
While Tony Pollard, who emerged as the lead back in 2023 after Elliott’s release, is a dynamic and explosive talent, the Cowboys have struggled to find that true workhorse running back who can take the pressure off Dak Prescott and carry the offense when needed. Pollard has shown flashes of brilliance, but the team still lacks a true game-changer at the position who can take over a game with the kind of dominant performances that have become synonymous with the NFL’s best running backs.
In 2024, the Cowboys will look to take advantage of their Super Bowl window, but their offense remains somewhat one-dimensional. While the passing game is capable of being explosive, a true running back who can complement Prescott and Lamb, control the tempo of games, and act as a reliable go-to option in crucial moments would give the Cowboys a major edge in the postseason.
That’s where the 2025 NFL Draft comes into play.
The 2025 Running Back Class: A Formidable Successor to Saquon Barkley
The 2025 NFL Draft is shaping up to feature one of the most talented running back classes in recent years, and for the Dallas Cowboys, the potential to select a player who can replicate Barkley’s impact is tantalizing. If the Cowboys can land one of these elite running back prospects, they could immediately bolster their offense and give their Super Bowl aspirations a major boost.
One such prospect is Jalen Edwards, a powerhouse running back from the University of Texas. Edwards is an explosive athlete who combines size, speed, and vision to dominate at the collegiate level. Standing at 6’1″ and weighing 225 pounds, Edwards possesses the kind of physical attributes that allow him to take over games, just as Barkley has done in his career. But Edwards’ biggest strength is his versatility—he’s not just a bruising runner between the tackles. His ability to catch passes out of the backfield and make defenders miss in open space gives him the potential to be an elite dual-threat running back in the NFL, much like Barkley was during his prime.
Edwards’ combination of power and agility allows him to break tackles and gain yards after contact, making him a difficult player to bring down. His burst through the line of scrimmage, coupled with his ability to shift gears and evade defenders, makes him a dangerous weapon on every play. Whether it’s rushing for tough yards in short-yardage situations or hitting a home run on an outside run, Edwards has the tools to be the kind of impact player the Cowboys need in their backfield.
Another standout prospect is Caleb Stewart from the University of Alabama. Stewart’s elite vision and acceleration make him a threat to take it to the house every time he touches the ball. Standing at 6’0″ and weighing 215 pounds, Stewart has the ideal blend of size, speed, and elusiveness that allows him to excel in both the run and pass game. His ability to make defenders miss in the open field, combined with his ability to pick up blitzes and contribute as a receiver, would make him an immediate starter in the Cowboys’ offense and give Dak Prescott an additional weapon to work with.
Why This Move Could Burn the League
If the Dallas Cowboys are able to select one of these elite running backs in the 2025 NFL Draft, it could have a profound impact on the entire league. The Cowboys are already one of the most dangerous teams in the NFL, and adding a player of this caliber to their roster would instantly make them one of the most complete teams in the league.
A true, workhorse running back could change the dynamics of the Cowboys’ offense by allowing them to control the clock and keep opposing defenses on their heels. With a dynamic back like Edwards or Stewart in the fold, the Cowboys would have a dual-threat attack that could be nearly impossible to stop. Defenses would be forced to pick their poison—stop the explosive running back or deal with the talented Prescott-Lamb combination in the passing game.
Moreover, a franchise running back like Edwards or Stewart could elevate Pollard’s game, allowing him to continue in his role as a change-of-pace back, providing fresh legs and a unique skill set in critical moments. The added depth at the running back position would allow the Cowboys to maintain a balanced attack and prevent opposing defenses from keying in on one particular aspect of their offense.
On a larger scale, the Cowboys selecting a running back of this caliber could shake up the entire NFL. If the Cowboys become the team to beat in the NFC, it could lead to a ripple effect across the league, with other franchises looking to replicate their success by drafting elite running backs of their own. Running backs would once again become a focal point in team-building strategies, shifting the balance of power in the NFL.
A Super Bowl Contender in the Making
The Dallas Cowboys have a window to win a Super Bowl, and the 2025 NFL Draft represents a golden opportunity to further solidify their position as a legitimate contender. By selecting a running back with the potential to dominate the league in the same way Saquon Barkley has, the Cowboys would immediately add an explosive weapon to their offense, transforming it into one of the most dangerous in the league.
If the Cowboys are able to select a running back like Jalen Edwards or Caleb Stewart, it could be the move that propels them to the next level, pushing them past the competition and into Super Bowl contention. With their loaded roster, the addition of a Barkley-like successor would be the final piece of the puzzle. The rest of the NFL would be forced to take notice, and the Cowboys might just burn the league in their wake.