Cowboys Trolled by NFL Fans After Panthers Trade Up to Draft RB Jonathan Brooks

The Carolina Panthers traded up to No. 46 in the 2024 NFL draft on Friday, selecting former Texas running back Jonathan Brooks.

In order to move up to 46, the Panthers sent the No. 52, No. 142, and No. 155 picks to the Indianapolis Colts (via ESPN's Field Yates).

It was surprising that Brooks ended up in Carolina, as Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones was a fan of the Texas native. Jones previously called him a "good player" and told reporters that the running back was "high, high, high" on Dallas' draft board.

NFL fans trolled the Cowboys after they missed out on one of their top targets.

"In my thirty years, I thought it was the best interview that I've ever interviewed with a player," Jones said in regards to Brooks on Thursday, per CBS Sports' Garrett Podell. "He's outstanding."

Dallas also entered the draft with a clear need at running back, as Tony Pollard joined the Tennessee Titans in free agency after surpassing 1,000 yards with the Cowboys in each of the past two seasons.

Rico Dowdle and Deuce Vaughn are projected to battle for the team's starting running back job in 2024 if no other tailback is drafted, although Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reported that there is an "expectation" that Ezekiel Elliott will return to the team in free agency.

The Panthers will be hoping that Brooks can look like his old self after coming back from a torn ACL that ended his junior season with the Longhorns. Prior to the injury, he recorded 1,139 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground while adding another 286 yards as a receiver.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport revealed that he should recover by the time Carolina's training camp begins.

The Panthers have made a concerted effort to improve their rushing attack in 2024, signing starting offensive lineman Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis in free agency before selecting Brooks on Friday night.

As for the Cowboys, they're still looking for a running back.