As the Dallas Cowboys inch closer to the 2025 season, Jerry Jones’ squad already has its eyes set on the 2026 draft. Scouting is incredibly important, as teams need to show up in the draft if they are going to improve in the upcoming seasons. Dak Prescott could be getting another offensive weapon in this way-too-early 2026 mock draft.
Cowboys Select Explosive Playmaker To Fill Void In 2026 Mock Draft
After losing both running backs, the Cowboys will see Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders suit up in blue and silver for the first time this season. Williams is the clear RB1 as his 2021 rookie season with the Denver Broncos proved he’s capable of a 1,000-yard rushing season. That’s a number that Sanders put up in 2022 with the Philadelphia Eagles, but he had just 637 combined in his last two seasons with the Carolina Panthers.
A top-tier running back can propel a team to the Super Bowl, as seen with Saquon Barkley on the Eagles last season. The Cowboys also have a new head coach, which is something to consider as they look to rebound and are hopeful that Prescott can remain healthy for the course of the season. All those factors considered, the Cowboys landed the No. 12 pick in this mock draft.
#NotreDame RB Jeremiyah Love (6-0, 212)
Dynamic and instant accelerator. Easy speed to circle the defense. Utilizes subtle cuts to set up blocks. Excellent short area instincts to make defenders miss. His explosive runs end with TDs. pic.twitter.com/TjI7oTtiDc
— Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid) June 13, 2025
With four quarterbacks selected ahead of him, Love is the first running back off the board as he goes to the Cowboys. Notre Dame’s lead back showed impressive improvement last season as he increased his attempts from 71 to 163. He appeared in three more games from his Freshman to Sophomore season, going from 385 rushing yards to 1,125. His yards per carry went up from 5.4 to 6.9, a huge leap from his first to second season.
Looking to improve on those numbers, one that is most impressive was his 17 rushing touchdowns a year ago. Love was destined to prove there’s no such thing as a sophomore slump, as he had just two total touchdowns the year prior. With a pair of receiving touchdowns to go along with 237 receiving yards last season, Love also finished the season with 1,362 total yards.
Notre Dame will begin their season with a rare Sunday game as they head to Miami on August 31st. It’s one of two games broadcast on ABC, as the rest remain on NBC and Peacock. Love will have a large set of eyes on him this season as he looks to improve again and remain the No. 1 RB on the 2026 draft board.