The Dallas Cowboys are projected to make a splash trade when the NFL Draft arrives.
That's the prediction by Pro Football Focus' Jordan Plocher, who has the Cowboys trading up to the No. 3 pick and taking Notre Dame star running back Jeremiyah Love. The Arizona Cardinals currently own that pick.
As Plocher noted, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones "cares a lot about branding and putting on a show," and Jones has taken a running back early before. That was in 2016 when the Cowboys took Ezekiel Elliott with the No. 4 pick out of Ohio State.
Plocher's projected trade has the Cowboys sending first-round picks at No. 12 and No. 20 to the Cardinals. The analyst calls Love "the best player in the draft class."
"Cowboys fans who know the roster have already grabbed torches and pitchforks to revolt at the idea of this, but it isn't out of the realm of possibilities," Plocher wrote. "Love is a home-run threat out of the backfield, and his 726 breakaway rushing yards, 18 rushing touchdowns and 93.7 PFF rushing grade in 2025 all led the draft class."
Dallas already has running back Javonte Williams, who rushed for 1,201 yards and 11 touchdowns on 252 carries. The Cowboys clearly have more pressing needs elsewhere on the roster.
"Yes, the defense would be better off if Dallas spends its two first-round picks on defensive players, but 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. It’s fun to think about," Plocher wrote.
Love dominated at Notre Dame with 2,882 yards rushing and 36 touchdowns, plus 594 yards receiving and six touchdowns in his three-year career of 41 games. He helped the Fighting Irish reach the College Football Playoff national championship game in 2024.
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