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Cowboys Suggested to Make Ridiculous Top-10 Pick in 2026 NFL Mock Draft

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jake Elman | Last updated Aug 11, 2025 9:41 AM ET

It’s already been nearly a decade since the Dallas Cowboys went against conventional modern wisdom and used a top-5 pick on then-Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott.

At least one NFL draft expert can see a similar situation happening next spring. Walter Football’s Charlie Campbell updated his 2026 mock draft on Monday, projecting the Cowboys will use the No. 9 selection on Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love.

Former Denver Broncos second-rounder Javonte Williams is expected to serve as the Cowboys’ lead running back this season. Dallas used a fifth-round pick on Texas running back Jaydon Blue this past spring; Blue recently suffered a bone bruise in his heel and did not play in the Cowboys’ preseason opener.

Love rushed for 1,125 yards on 17 carries on 6.9 yards per carry last year. The 6-foot, 214-pound junior added 28 catches and two receiving touchdowns.

Jeremiyah Love was DETERMINED to find the end zone and Notre Dame takes the lead in the fourth! ☘️

17 unanswered for the Fighting Irish. pic.twitter.com/j6WGLz4qUr
— ESPN (@espn) January 10, 2025

“Love has a strong build and is a physical downhill runner,” Campbell wrote. “Love is a talented runner with speed and instincts. He reminds me of Nick Chubb at Georgia.”

Considering Chubb was a perennial Pro Bowler in his prime, Cowboys fans should be thrilled by such a comparison. The problem, though, is that Love likely isn’t the final piece the Cowboys need to finally end their Super Bowl drought.

Dallas has far greater needs, even more so if Micah Parsons doesn’t re-sign with the Cowboys. Potentially investing a top-10 pick on a running back is a bad idea, and the Cowboys should know that firsthand after only winning a single playoff game during Elliott’s initial stint in Dallas.

Then again, this is assuming the Cowboys will be bad enough that they pick No. 9. We imagine Cowboys fans might be more focused on that rather than the thought of selecting a running back so early.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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