The NFL Draft is a breeding ground for rumors, but when heavy hitters like Mel Kiper Jr., Todd McShay, and Dane Brugler align on a bold prediction, the football world takes notice.
Their consensus? The Dallas Cowboys are aggressively maneuvering to trade up in the first round. For a fanbase starving for deep postseason success, the prospect is being described across social media as both thrilling and anxiety-inducing or, as the consensus feeling goes, “fun and terrifying.”
Why Draft Experts Predict the Cowboys Will Move Up in the First Round
It all began with NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport on Friday’s edition of “The Insiders.” Rapoport emphasized that the aggressive chatter surrounding Dallas’ draft strategy is entirely legitimate.
“This is not clickbait,” Rapoport stressed to viewers. “This is not so everybody will click on this and go wait, what. But the Cowboys are my team most likely to trade up. Again. This is not for clickbait. This is real.”
Currently holding the 12th overall pick, Dallas is reportedly focused on fortifying its roster against opposing offenses. “I expect them to be at least in the mix potentially for coming up for a pass rusher or other top defensive player,” Rapoport noted.
Rapoport isn’t the only one who thinks that the Cowboys will move up to get a defensive leader. PFSN’s most recent mock draft has Dallas trading up with the Cleveland Browns to bring in a proven defensive leader.
PFSN’s Austin Swaim has Dallas getting picks No. 6, 39, 146, and 149 and Cleveland receiving picks No. 12, 20, and 180. They use pick No. 6 to take Caleb Downs, the safety out of Ohio State. Downs finished the 2025 season with a PFSN CFB Safety Impact metric grade of B, with a score of 83.5.
Rapoport was quickly joined by several other draft analysts, and all agree that this move is just too obvious. Not only do Todd McShay, Dane Brugler, and Mel Kiper Jr. all have Dallas moving up, but they also all agree with PFSN on the landing spot.
Marcus Mosher, the host of “Locked on Cowboys,” posted on X, “Todd McShay, Dane Brugler and Mel Kiper Jr. all released mock drafts today All three had the Cowboys trading up to No. 6.”
Todd McShay, Dane Brugler, and Mel Kiper Jr all released mock drafts today
All three had the Cowboys trading up to No. 6. https://t.co/X97P3AdULi
— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) April 15, 2026
Brandon Loree, from Blogging the Boys, said he is just waiting to see how the rest of the experts weigh in.
“Now we wait for @PSchrags [Peter Schrager] with his final mock draft next week and the cycle will be complete.”
Now we wait for @PSchrags with his final mock draft next week and the cycle will be complete. https://t.co/iY0qGLVenr
— Brandon Loree (@Brandoniswrite) April 15, 2026
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Blogging the Boys editor in chief RJ Ochoa gave life to all Cowboys fans’ thoughts on X, “This is fun! (and terrifying).”
This is fun!
(and terrifying) https://t.co/r0C6bhelVz
— RJ Ochoa (@rjochoa) April 15, 2026
With the draft’s biggest insiders in rare unanimous agreement, a massive leap up the board to No. 6 feels like a foregone conclusion for Dallas. Now, it’s just a waiting game to see which defensive star the Cowboys target, and whether fans will be celebrating or sweating when the pick is finally announced.
