Exploring 5 realistic trade-up possibilities in the first round for the Cowboys
As the NFL draft approaches for the Dallas Cowboys, so do the possibilities for them to move around in the first round from their scheduled selections of No. 12 and No. 20 overall.
Speaking at the NFL Annual League Meeting in Phoenix last week, owner Jerry Jones talked about the possibility of trading around in the first round. And while trading down to acquire more draft capital has always been a possibility, having a third-round pick as a result of the Osa Odighizuwa trade may be just enough for them to strongly also consider the possibility of trading up.
“I’ve looked at that mirror a lot, about how to go up and down and trade and do those kinds of things,” Jones said. “And absolutely, we’ll entertain improving or an in-draft read on what gives us a better chance to get another player, and still have our pick and the red meat of top players. Now, that has an on the board aspect to it, but it’s very doable. And yes you should, when you’ve got the kind of assets or the kind of ammunition we’ve got in this draft, you should look at all machinations.”
As trading up becomes a stronger possibility, here are the five most realistic trade-up spots that the Cowboys could jump up to on draft night.
No. 6: Cleveland Browns
Deal: Cowboys send No. 12 and No. 20 in exchange for No. 6 and No. 39 (second round)
In my mind, this is the most realistic earliest possibility that the Cowboys have at trading up. The Browns have been vocal about their desire to trade down, and this could be the sweet spot for the Cowboys to still get an elite defender. In comparison to the later-mentioned Titans trade, this would also give Dallas a pick early on in the second round.
While the top-three grouping of defenders could very well all be off the board by No. 6, this spot could allow Dallas to select Miami edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. or LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane before another defense-needy team such as the Kansas City Chiefs or Cincinnati Bengals are on the clock.
No. 9: Kansas City Chiefs
Deal: Cowboys send No. 12, No. 20 and No. 152 (fifth round) in exchange for No. 9 and No. 29 (first round)
This is a trade possibility to keep a close eye on going into draft night, simply because these two front offices have a strong working relationship that has shown up in drafts as recent as 2023, and it allows both teams to keep two first-round selections.
The one question that would have to be answered by the Chiefs is — if all they are getting out of the first-round swap is a nine-spot jump in the 20s — why they would make that trade 11 picks out without knowing what the board could look like. This could be a reason why, if this trade were to come to fruition, the Chiefs could ask for the Cowboys’ fourth-round pick instead.
But if this does happen, it would allow Dallas to hop the secondary-needy Cincinnati Bengals for a player such as Delane or Ohio State safety Caleb Downs.
No. 4: Tennessee Titans
Deal: Cowboys send No. 12 and No. 20 in exchange for No. 4 and No. 66 (third round)
There has been some manufactured buzz about a potential trade up to No. 3 overall for the Cowboys into the Cardinals’ spot, but the Cowboys simply don’t have the draft capital to make that big of a swing up — unless they’re willing to give up future first-round picks.
That leaves the earliest possibility for the Cowboys to make a swing at No. 4. Dallas has done deep homework on the top-tier defenders in this draft class that are expected to go in the top five, including Texas Tech defensive end David Bailey and Ohio State linebackers Arvell Reese and Sonny Styles, and a trade up into this spot would put them in position to grab one of them.
Giving up both first-round picks may be tough to stomach, but picking up an extra day-two selection would give Dallas the same amount of ammunition that it would have going into the weekend.
No. 8: New Orleans Saints
Deal: Cowboys send No. 12, No. 92 (third round) and No. 112 (fourth round) in exchange for No. 8
How much do the Cowboys want a premier defender? If they can’t get up to No. 6 or No. 7 and the desire to hop the Bengals and Chiefs is seen as a requirement to get an elite player on the defensive side, then ponying up some mid-draft capital to go up to No. 8 may be necessary.
In this scenario, the Cowboys do keep No. 20, but they wouldn’t pick again until No. 152 overall in the fifth round.
There’s been buzz around the Saints’ interest in tight end Kenyon Sadiq. And if that comes to fruition, the Saints trading back a few spots could be a strong possibility considering there aren’t many teams prior to the Buccaneers at No. 15 that have circled the Oregon offensive playmaker.
No. 10: Cincinnati Bengals
Deal: Cowboys send No. 12, No. 112 (fourth round) and No. 152 overall (fifth round) in exchange for No. 10
The Miami Dolphins have two picks in the first round, and the thought is that they will select a wide receiver and a cornerback. Picking at No. 11, the Cowboys could hop Miami if an elite cornerback such as Delane is still on the board.
This trade wouldn’t be too difficult to stomach, as the Cowboys would keep No. 20 and would still be able to pick at No. 92 on day two. However, day three would see a long wait before picking at No. 177 in the back end of the fifth round.
This story was originally published April 9, 2026 at 10:15 AM.
