The Dallas Cowboys enter the 2026 NFL Draft with eight total selections and, according to head coach Brian Schottenheimer, with enough flexibility to avoid reaching for any players.
Dallas has two first-round picks at No. 12 and No. 20 after finishing the 2025 NFL season with a 7-9-1 record. They acquired the latter selection in the trade that sent edge rusher Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers last August.
The Cowboys will bring back all of their key offensive players next season, including quarterback Dak Prescott, wideouts CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, and running back Javonte Williams.
When it comes to the Cowboys’ backfield, Williams is coming off a year in which he rushed the ball for 1,201 yards and 11 touchdowns before signing a three-year, $24 million extension on Feb. 21.
Cowboys running back Javonte Williams carries the ball.Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
(Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images)
While Williams is expected to carry the bulk of Dallas’ rushing offense, draft projections agree in predicting that Dallas could still look to add another impact running back.
Pro Football Focus’ Jordan Plocher predicted such a situation in his latest mock draft, projecting a major Cowboys trade involving both of their first-round picks.
“The Cowboys trade their first-rounders to move up: Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love is the target, helping Dallas build an offensive core that will terrify opposing coaches,” Plocher wrote.
Plocher’s projection has Dallas sending picks No. 12 and No. 20 to the Arizona Cardinals to move up to No. 3 overall, where he has the Cowboys drafting Love.
“Jerry Jones cares a lot about branding and putting on a show, and in this mock draft, the Cowboys owner/general manager sends both of the team’s first-round picks, Nos. 12 and 20, to the Arizona Cardinals for the No. 3 overall selection and then selects the best player in the draft class in Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love,” Plocher wrote.
Love finished the 2025 season with 1,372 rushing yards, 18 rushing touchdowns and a 93.7 PFF rushing grade. The Notre Dame standout had already racked up 1,125 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns in 2024.
“Adding Love to the mix with Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens creates a lethal offense with a terrifying set of offensive skill players,” Plocher wrote.
The projection aligns with a similar scenario outlined by The Athletic’s Vic Tafur, who also projected Dallas to trade up for Love ahead of the April 23 draft.
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This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Mar 26, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.