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

zach bacharContributor IApril 27, 2024

AUSTIN, TX - OCTOBER 28: A Texas Longhorns RB Jonathan Brooks (24) runs for yardage during the game featuring the Brigham Young Cougars and The Texas Longhorns on October 28, 2023, at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, TX. (Photo by John Rivera/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

John Rivera/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

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.

Clarence Hill Jr @clarencehilljr
The Cowboys just lost Texas RB Jonathan Brooks to the Carolina Panthers

Albert Breer @AlbertBreer
Jerry Jones alerted the media last night how well Jonathan Brooks did in meeting with the Cowboys. Evidently, the Panthers got the memo. <a href="https://t.co/aLjxkWjqSN">https://t.co/aLjxkWjqSN</a>

Nate Ryan @nateryansports
The <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cowboys?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cowboys</a> badly need a running back.<br><br>At a press conference last night, Jerry Jones told the entire league last night that he had Texas RB Jonathon Brooks "high, high, high" on his board…..losing all leverage in a potential trade up.<br><br>Of course, Carolina just took him at 46. <a href="https://t.co/r89kMwtsml">pic.twitter.com/r89kMwtsml</a>

Todd Archer @toddarcher
Texas RB Jonathon Brooks off the Carolina. Now everybody will blame Jerry Jones for talking too highly of him Thursday. Cowboys thought extremely high of him and were OK with the recovery from the ACL. But I'm not so sure Jerry wasn't going a little overboard on purpose.

Brandyn Pokrass @BPok24
Don't know if I'd go RB in the second if I'm Carolina, but hey Brooks is a good player🤷🏻‍♂️ And the Cowboys don't get their target now <a href="https://t.co/TFL0RJjo2r">https://t.co/TFL0RJjo2r</a>

The Coachspeak Index @CoachspeakIndex
annnnnd the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Panthers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Panthers</a> trade up 10 spots ahead of the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cowboys?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cowboys</a> to snipe Jonathon Brooks <a href="https://t.co/qNYkryqjdr">https://t.co/qNYkryqjdr</a>

Shimon @ChiefMufasa__
Hahaha cowboys don't get brooks that's all that matters

Pete Clark @PeteClarkBooks
lmao. Panthers trade up and snipe Brooks from the Cowboys. Hilarious. Love it.

Alec Rapp @AlecRapp
The <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CarolinaPanthers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CarolinaPanthers</a> steal the coveted Jonathon Brooks from Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys. <a href="https://t.co/ygfr3Urw4Q">pic.twitter.com/ygfr3Urw4Q</a>

"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.

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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.