The Dallas Cowboys managed to raise some eyebrows when they used a first-round pick on Tyler Booker in the 2025 NFL Draft, though mid-round selections Donovan Ezeiruaku and Shavon Revel Jr. managed to beef up the overall quality of this class.
While the Cowboys’ decision to prioritize the trenches and target the best player available left them in major need of some big upgrades in the secondary and offensive backfield, Jerry Jones and Will McClay are already hard at work trying to find the next group of future Cowboys who could fill those voids.
Pro Football Network’s 3-round 2026 NFL Mock Draft, which only has the Cowboys making two selections as a result of the George Pickens trade, has Dallas using the No. 12 overall pick on Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love, who is regarded as the top player in a running back class generally seen as underwhelming.
In the second round, Dallas is projected to select Washington cornerback Tacario Davis, who went back to school with the thought that he could cement himself as a first-round pick. This would be an A+ draft for Dallas, as both of these players should be picked high, barring anything unforeseen.
Dallas Cowboys projected to draft Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love in 2026 mock draft
Love ran for 1,125 yards and 17 touchdowns with the Irish last season, and that came in an offense where he had to split carries and deal with a run-heavy quarterback in Riley Leonard. With the offense built around him this season, Love’s stats could be even more attractive for Dallas.
Even after picking Jaydon Blue in the fifth round last season and signing multiple veteran free agents, Dallas is looking for a long-term answer who can provide the same level of consistency that Ezekiel Elliott put on display. Love isn’t a physical marvel, but his speed and vision are both exemplary.
Davis is a 6-4 cornerback with tons of length and great physicality. After leaving Arizona to reunite with old head coach Jedd Fisch, Davis will try to improve the rough edges in his game, namely a lack of great lateral mobility and inconsistency with regard to his tackling in the open field.
If the Cowboys can come out of the first two rounds of next year’s class with a future 1,00-yard rusher and a new starting cornerback, even the most pessimistic end to the 2025 season can be papered over with the promise of a turnaround in the near future.
