The Dallas Cowboys may be preparing one of the boldest moves of the 2026 NFL Draft, signaling a potential shift in how the league values the running back position. With two first-round picks this year, Dallas gets just one selection in this mock, but it promises to be both exciting and well worth the wait.
Jeremiyah Love and the Cowboys: A Perfect Fit
In a recent mock draft by football analyst Josh Weil, Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love, one of college football’s most electric playmakers over the past two seasons, was projected to land in Dallas.
Weil has the Cowboys trading up into the top 10, jumping to No. 8 overall in a deal with the New Orleans Saints, to select Love. If it plays out that way, it would be a massive statement not only for the Cowboys but for the running back market as a whole.
Weil explained the reasoning behind the move clearly:
“This pick was where I felt the draft could get a bit spicy. I think the Saints would benefit from moving back and adding two first-round-level talents more than picking at eight. After seeing what the Cowboys did with Javonte Williams, bringing in a bell-cow-style back with massive potential could bring them back to the prime Ezekiel Elliott days,” Weil wrote.
“Love is head and shoulders above any running back prospect in this draft, and there will be several teams looking to draft him, so I think the Cowboys jump ahead to take the Heisman finalist here,” he added.
The logic behind the projection makes sense when broken down.
Javonte Williams had a solid season in Dallas, but he is set to hit free agency and will almost certainly be looking for a pay raise.
While Williams played well, his PFSN RB Impact Grade of 71.9, which ranked 41st in the NFL, makes him far from untouchable, especially when compared to a prospect like Love.
Jeremiyah Love graded out as one of the best running backs in college football, earning a CFB RB Impact Grade of 92.4, placing him in the top five nationally. He finished top five in both rushing yards and rushing touchdowns, while also bringing a legitimate receiving threat that Williams didn’t consistently provide during his lone season in Dallas.
How Love Could Transform Dallas’ Offense
From a team-building perspective, this move would enable the Cowboys to reset the position. Drafting Love gives Dallas at least four years on a rookie contract, with the option of a franchise tag afterward, locking in a premier offensive weapon at a manageable cost during Dak Prescott’s competitive window.
Weil’s comparison to the Ezekiel Elliott era is especially important. The Cowboys were at their best when they had a true bell-cow back controlling the game. A dominant run game helps dictate the time of possession, increases physicality at the line of scrimmage, and keeps the defense fresher by limiting the number of snaps.
There will be plenty of fans who argue Dallas should focus on defense instead. That argument isn’t wrong; the Cowboys graded out as the worst defensive team in the NFL, according to PFSN’s Impact Grade, at 62.1.
However, the defense showed improvement after the additions of Quinnen Williams and Logan Wilson, and an elite run game would only amplify that progress by keeping opponents off the field.
Add in the potential boost to the play-action passing game, which could jump from good to elite, and even Dak Prescott himself could see another level unlocked. Suddenly, this isn’t just a running back pick; it’s a move that could elevate the entire roster.
Would Cowboys fans be divided? Absolutely. Some would be shocked, some thrilled, and some angry, but that’s just Dallas being Dallas.
If the Cowboys do make the leap for Jeremiyah Love, it would be a bold, forward-thinking move that could reshape their offense and restore the identity that once made them one of the most dangerous teams in football.
And let’s be honest, Love would look pretty good wearing that star, chasing the legacy of the next great Cowboys running back.
