National media outlet proposes a Dallas Cowboys trade that makes no sense in latest mock draft
This Cowboys trade scenario is exactly how you know that we’re in the final stretch before the 2026 NFL Draft.
We’re officially too close to the 2026 NFL Draft. How do I know this?
No, not by looking at the calendar but rather because mock drafts are officially getting out of hand, as they tend to do this time of the year. The latest one brings an insane Dallas Cowboys scenario that makes no sense and is guaranteed not to happen when late April comes around.
PFF mock has Cowboys trading up for a RB
Why am I yelling at clouds here? Because Pro Football Focus’ Jordan Plocher put together a mock draft in which the Cowboys give up their two first-round picks, No. 12 and 20 overall, to select RB Jeremiyah Love out of Notre Dame.
Love is a fantastic player and should go in the first round. But let’s be serious here.
The Cowboys had one of the worst defenses in franchise history in 2025. Over two weeks into free agency, they still have needs at linebacker, edge rusher, and cornerback. The last time they traded up in the first round was in 2012. They just extended Javonte Williams—who played his best football last year—to a three-year contract worth $24 million.
And giving up two first-round picks for Love is supposed to be a believable scenario? Come on, now.
To be fair, Plocher wrote this in the intro to his mock: “While every pick is researched, some are meant more in the spirit of ‘what if’ entertainment value rather than being predictive.
I get that, but the reasoning behind the mock selection doesn’t hold up: “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.”
The above suggests Jones is a risk-taker in the draft, which is simply untrue. The Cowboys play it safe in the first round of the draft. And when it comes to making picks, they don’t make decisions in an effort to put on a show.
This is the same front office that has picked offensive linemen in three of the last five years.
So no, the Cowboys aren’t moving up to select Love. They might move, I’ll give Plocher that. With two first-round picks on deck, they might be motivated to do so, but even then I wouldn’t expect it to be into the Top 3.
Contrary to Jones’ “gambler” branding, it’s not h0w they operate.
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