Cowboys Shock NFL With Trade Up to No. 3 for Top RB Prospect

Dallas sends both first-round picks to Cardinals to select Notre Dame's Jeremiyah Love

Mar. 24, 2026 at 10:59am

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In a surprising move, the Dallas Cowboys have traded both of their first-round picks (Nos. 12 and 20) to the Arizona Cardinals in order to move up to the No. 3 overall selection in the 2026 NFL Draft. With this pick, the Cowboys have selected Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love, widely considered one of the top prospects in the class.

Why it matters

The Cowboys' decision to trade up for a running back is an unexpected one, as the team just re-signed Javonte Williams to a lucrative deal and had pressing needs on the defensive side of the ball. This move signals that the Cowboys are prioritizing offensive firepower over shoring up their struggling defense.

The details

According to reports, the Cowboys sent their two first-round picks (Nos. 12 and 20) to the Cardinals in order to move up to the No. 3 overall selection. With this pick, they selected Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love, who is widely regarded as one of the top players in the 2026 draft class. Love had a dominant 2025 season, rushing for 726 yards and 18 touchdowns while earning a 93.7 PFF rushing grade.

  • The Cowboys made the trade with the Cardinals on March 24, 2026, just ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft.

The players

Jeremiyah Love

A running back from the University of Notre Dame, Love is considered one of the top prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft class after a dominant 2025 season.

Javonte Williams

The Cowboys' starting running back, who they recently re-signed to a three-year, $24 million contract.

Jerry Jones

The owner and general manager of the Dallas Cowboys, known for his bold and unconventional moves.

Jordan Plocher

An analyst at PFF who projected the Cowboys' surprising trade up to No. 3 overall in his latest mock draft.

Reuben Bain Jr.

A defensive prospect from the University of Miami that the Cowboys have shown interest in.

Akheem Mesidor

Another defensive prospect from the University of Miami that the Cowboys have scouted.

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What they’re saying

“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.”

— Jordan Plocher, Analyst

What’s next

The Cowboys' bold move will be a major storyline leading up to the 2026 NFL Draft. It remains to be seen how the team's fanbase and the league will react to the decision to trade up for a running back, especially with pressing needs on the defensive side of the ball.

The takeaway

This trade demonstrates the Cowboys' willingness to be aggressive and make unconventional moves under the leadership of owner Jerry Jones. While the selection of Jeremiyah Love is undoubtedly a talented addition, the decision to trade away both first-round picks for a running back is a risky one that could face significant scrutiny if the Cowboys' defense continues to struggle.