Dallas Cowboys RB -- Bragged About $1,000 Shoes ... Week Before Arrest

Dallas Cowboys running back Joseph Randle BRAGGED about owning several pairs of expensive shoes just days before he was busted for shoplifting -- claiming nice stuff made him feel good.

Randle was speaking to Mac Engel on 105.3 THE FAN Dallas/Ft. Worth last Friday -- when the NFL player, who makes just under $500k per year, said he's dropped 4-figs on Gucci shoes on several occasions.

Interesting ... considering he was arrested for allegedly stealing Gucci cologne from a Texas department store on Monday night ... along with 2 pairs of Polo underwear.

Check out the clip -- Randle also says he used to pride himself on dressing nice even when he had no money.