Should the Dallas Cowboys Draft a 22-Year-Old Texas Native in 2026?
The Dallas Cowboys are entering the NFL Draft in 2026 looking to add defense, and the entire NFL world knows. However, the Cowboys' front office has not ignored the option of drafting a potential offensive weapon to add to one of the best offenses in the entire league. While the Cowboys may not want to spend the 12th pick on an offensive player, in the latter half of the round, they still have the 20th pick, and that could be a premier spot to take an offensive player. A position in particular that could be looked at is running backs, and with the Cowboys' luck, they could have the opportunity to bring a kid back home to play for his childhood team.
Notre Dame running back Jadarian Price was able to become a key explosive player for the Fighting Irish despite sitting behind the best running back in the country, Jeremiyah Love. According to several analysts, such as Mel Kiper Jr., Price is the second-best running back in the draft, only behind his teammate Love. For Notre Dame a season ago, Price put up solid numbers despite the lack of touches, putting up 674 rushing yards, 11 touchdowns, and six yards per carry on 113 carries while also being the team's kick returner. Price is a native of Denison, north of Dallas, and grew up idolizing the 2016 Dallas Cowboys with Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott, with him saying he would wish to catch passes from Prescott, so the opportunity to bring him back to Texas would be a homecoming.
The idea of Price ending up in Dallas may seem unrealistic to some, especially since the Cowboys recently re-signed Javonte Williams. However, Price excels in the backup role. With questions still surrounding Jaydon Blue, Price could serve as the change-of-pace back if Blue has not sufficiently impressed the Cowboys. The state of offense in the NFL has been shifting more back to being able to maintain control of possession and time, and nothing helps that more than being able to run the football efficiently. With Price, Dallas can go from grinding out yards to being explosive, making them the NFL's best offense. It would be a dream for Price to play for his favorite team growing up, but it is up to the Cowboys to make that dream happen.
