Jeremiyah Love to the Dallas Cowboys at No. 12? Why the Notre Dame star is a real NFL Draft option despite Dallas’ defensive needs.
The idea of the Dallas Cowboys drafting Jeremiyah Love at No. 12 might sound bold, but it’s no longer something fans can just laugh off.
As the 2026 NFL Draft gets closer, the Notre Dame running back is becoming one of the most fascinating names connected to Dallas.
Love and the Dallas Cowboys make sense for one simple reason: elite talent doesn’t always line up neatly with team needs.
Love is widely viewed as one of the best overall players in the class, yet his position could push him farther down the board than expected.
Running backs still don’t always fly off the board early, even when they’re explosive, dynamic players.
That’s where Dallas enters the picture.
If Love reaches the Cowboys at No. 12, Dallas would have to decide whether his game-breaking ability is too good to pass up.
He’d instantly add another layer to an offense that already features Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens and Jake Ferguson.
With Javonte Williams also in the backfield, Love wouldn’t need to carry the full load immediately. He could be used as a big-play weapon on outside runs, screens and check-downs, where his speed and burst could create chunk plays in a hurry.
That’s the appealing part. The concern, of course, is defense.
The Cowboys still have major questions on that side of the ball, and using the No. 12 pick on a running back would put even more pressure on the front office to find immediate answers elsewhere.
That could mean aggressive moves later in the draft, packaging picks, or even exploring trades for veteran defensive help.
Still, if Dallas believes Love is a true blue-chip prospect, this may come down to a simple draft question ... do you pass on a premium playmaker because of need, or do you swing big and trust yourself to solve the rest later?
For the Cowboys, that decision could define the season.
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