Could Love be in the Air for the Dallas Cowboys?

ARLINGTON, TX — As the NFL free agency frenzy is behind us, the focus for teams is now on college pro days and the upcoming draft.

It’s no secret the Dallas Cowboys are looking to fix a terrible defense, so much so that there are talks about them trading for a linebacker after already trading for Rashan Gary and picking up Jalen Thompson in free agency.

Everyone expects the Cowboys to use either one or both of their first-round draft picks on that side of the ball. But Dallas has grabbed a falling star in the past, pretty recently in fact.

Back in 2020, the Dallas Cowboys were in a similar situation where everyone expected them to pick a defensive player. But something unexpected happened … Oklahoma wide receiver CeeDee Lamb fell right into their lap.

Even though Dallas already had Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup, Cedrick Wilson and Noah Brown on the roster, they selected Lamb and, in return, he has become one of the best receivers in the league.

So, if something like that happens this year, should the Cowboys pick an offensive player at 12th or 20th overall?

Last year, the Cowboys revamped their offensive coaching staff and added Conor Riley, who was one of the better offensive line coaches in college football, and Klayton Adams, who revitalized Arizona’s rushing attack. Then, they picked up former second-round pick, Javonte Williams, who just turned in his best statistical season and earned another contract with the Cowboys.

If Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love is available, which he shouldn’t be (but neither was CeeDee) the Cowboys need to have that discussion. Over the past few seasons, current Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson and current Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty were heavily mocked to the Cowboys.

Love was electric for the Fighting Irish the past couple seasons and is considered one of the top prospects in the draft. Over those two years, Love has 362 attempts for 2,497 yards, a 6.9-yard per carry average, and 35 touchdowns. He also split carries, only getting over 20 in a game three times last year, so he has relatively low mileage.

Scouting reports on Love say he’s very productive and could be the workhorse if needed. He has good ball security and the speed to outrun even the fastest corners on the field. He did run a 4.36 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine.

Love also can catch out of the backfield or line up in the slot out wide.

With the recent talent and draft capital, used on the offensive line in Dallas, Love should be the pick if he’s available, especially if he’s going to split carries with Williams. Unlike Williams, Love isn’t an injury concern. Yes, he did suffer a knee injury but played in all 28 games over the last two seasons at Notre Dame. Love also was an All-American and won the Doak Walker Award as the nation's best running back in 2025.

Fans will remember the last time the Cowboys used a first-round pick on a running back. In 2016, they selected Ohio State’s Ezekiel Elliott, who won Rookie of the Year, was a first-team All Pro, and led the NFL in rushing yards.

If the board is wiped of defensive players worthy of the pick, why not consider a running back to help keep the defense off the field?