Getty
The Athletic’s Vic Tafur projected the Dallas Cowboys to trade up to No. 3 overall to select running back Jeremiyah Love.
The Dallas Cowboys need to improve their defense. So naturally, a big move up the draft board to land a running back is gaining steam in NFL mock drafts at the end of March.
In his newest 2026 NFL mock draft this week, The Athletic’s Vic Tafur predicted the Cowboys to move up to No. 3 overall. At No. 3, Tafur then projected the Cowboys to select Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love.
“No one is talking about how undervalued the running back position is when a polished prospect like Love pops up,” Tafur wrote on Wednesday. “Looking at those odds again, Love is +145 to go third in the draft — as opposed to -145 at No. 4 — and a 20-1 shot to be drafted by the Cowboys, per BetMGM.”
The Cowboys move up for Love proposal from Tafur came two days after Pro Football Focus’s Jordan Plocher predicted the same trade in his new mock draft.
The hypothetical deal, which would result in Love going to the Cowboys, has taken the NFL online community by storm. On Thursday, Athlon Sports’s Craig Ellenport included Dallas on a list of teams that should trade up for Love.
Because of the Micah Parsons trade last summer, the Cowboys own two first-round picks this year. Barring trades, Dallas will make selections at No. 12 and 20 overall.
What It Could Cost Cowboys to Move Up to No. 3 in 2026 NFL Draft
Tafur mentioned Dallas would give up the No. 12 overall pick to move up into the top five. But he didn’t discuss other specific details of the potential blockbuster.
The Arizona Cardinals currently own the No. 3 overall selection.
Plocher argued it would cost the Cowboys both of their 2026 first-rounders.
“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,” wrote Plocher.
With the possibility of a trade up for Love seemingly growing, it’s not going to catch the NFL by total surprise if it happens on draft night.
Still, considering how bad the Dallas defense was last season, it’s a tough trade to see occurring. The Cowboys were 30th in yards allowed and 32nd in points scored against last season. They were also near the bottom of the league in numerous pass defense categories.
Dallas began addressing defensive issues in free agency. But this offseason, pundits initially expected the team to find two long-term defensive stars in the 2026 first round.
That remains the case for a lot of pundits since Dallas still has needs at linebacker and edge rusher.
The Cowboys would completely forgo the possibility of addressing those needs in the first round with a trade up for Love.
How Jeremiyah Love Could Fit in Dallas
A blockbuster deal for Love would prevent the Cowboys from helping their defense early in the 2026 draft. But there’s no doubting Love’s playmaking ability.
The consensus among NFL draft analysts is Love is a top 5 overall prospect in the 2026 class. NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein compared him to 3-time Pro Bowler Jahmyr Gibbs.
“Three-phase running back capable of stressing defenses with big-play speed and untapped pass-catching value,” Zierlein wrote. “Love shared carries but was the heartbeat of Notre Dame’s offense over the last two years.
“He’s a talented route runner and pass catcher who can work from the slot and mismatch linebackers. Love is a three-down, scheme-independent player who would benefit from a complementary back to preserve his big-play ability.”
The Cowboys could use better running back depth for 2026. But starter Javonte Williams is set to return.
Williams rushed for 1,201 yards and 11 touchdowns during 2025.
Head coach Brian Schottenheimer discussed the first round of the 2026 draft with Cowboys.com’s Tommy Yarrish this week. Obviously, Schottenheimer wouldn’t reveal the team’s true plans. But the head coach didn’t necessarily sound like his team would execute an aggressive trade.
“I think we did a really good job of setting ourselves up to be able to draft natural and draft pure, which is what you want to do,” Schottenheimer told Yarrish. “You don’t want to have to be forced to reach for a player. That’s when you make mistakes.”
Then again, owner Jerry Jones, who loves the spotlight, will make the final draft decision.
Dave Holcomb is a sports reporter covering the NFL and MLB for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Pittsburgh Steelers, Philadelphia Eagles and Detroit Lions. Originally from Pittsburgh, Holcomb has covered college and professional sports for outlets including FanSided, Rotowire and Yardbarker. More about Dave Holcomb
More Heavy on Cowboys
Loading more stories